Obituaries Australia

Arthur Whinfield, n.d.

from Pastoral Review, 16 July 1927

The death in Melbourne on 10th May of Mr. Arthur E. Whinfield, of Alma Vale, Beveridge, Vic., after an operation for appendicitis, came as a great shock to his many friends all over the State.

He was popular with everyone with whom he came in contact, and many who respected and admired his character will find it hard to realise the fact of his death. His achievements were manifold and gained by sheer force of personality, ability and capacity for hard work against adverse circumstances.

Mr. Whinfield was born at The Springs, near Ballarat, in 1865, and went with his parents to Bamawm in 1872, they being among the earliest pioneers of the district. On leaving school at the age of 15 years he joined his brothers on the Loddon and helped to pioneer some of the country between Kerang and Durham Ox, staying there until he was 21 years old.

He then returned to Lucerne Vale, Bamawm, and became an interested partner with his brother Myles in the home estate and buying up several of their neighbours' properties, on one of which he lived for many years after his marriage. He introduced share farming into northern Victoria, and many men who are independent to-day have to thank him for their success in life, for he never hesitated to assist less fortunate settlers with his own wide experience. He showed exceptional ability in the handling of stock and became one of the biggest sheep owners in northern Victoria. His partnership with his brother was dissolved in 1905.

He acquired many large properties, including the Broderick Estate, Robinson's, and The Gap, near Echuca, all of which, together with his Bamawm properties, are under closer settlement. He bought the Serpentine Estate in 1907, Staughton Vale in 1910, Tonga, near Mansfield in 1912, Bedford Park and Round Hills, near Dubbo, New South Wales, in 1914, Koraleigh Estate, Tongala and Roslyn Meade, Echuca, in 1917, Bolinda Park in 1921, and Kiota and Dhurringile Estate, near Murchison, in 1922.

At the time of his death he owned considerable property, including Alma Vale, Beveridge, where he resided, Devon Park, Cobram, and Langlands, near Albury.

Mr. Whinfield suffered a great blow two and a-half years ago, when his only son, Hector, was killed in a motor accident near Nagambie when going up to Kiota Estate, which he owned, on New Year's Day, 1925. He also had six daughters. His wife, who was a Miss Spence, was an old Bendigonian.