Obituaries Australia

Arthur Whittingham, n.d.

from Pastoral Review, 16 July 1927

By the death of Mr. Arthur Herbert Whittingham, which occurred in a private hospital in Brisbane on 20th June, Australia loses one of her best known pastoralists and an outstanding man of affairs.

A descendant of an old Shropshire family, the late Mr. Whittingham was born in Dunedin, N.Z., in 1869, being the second son of George Whittingham, subsequently a member of the firm of Whittingham Bros., owners of Alice Downs Station, Blackall, Q. When he was two years of age the family moved to Victoria, where he was educated and matriculated at the Geelong Grammar School. Proceeding to England in 1888, Mr. Whittingham entered Trinity, Cambridge, but later entered the London University and studied medicine. While there his father and elder brother died, so he had to return to Australia to attend to family interests, taking up pastoral pursuits.

He gained his initial station experience at Canally, Balranald, N.S.W., under the tuition of Mr. F. E. Vandalour. In 1901 he took over the management of Alice Downs, and in 1903 purchased the property in conjunction with his younger brother, Harold J., from the old firm of Whittingham Bros. In 1909 he bought out his brother's interest and became sole owner of the station. Other properties acquired by him were Anthony, Anthony North and Lancevale Stations.

From the date of his first direct connection with the pastoral industry he took a close interest in its general welfare. For many years he was president of the Graziers' Association of central and northern Queensland, and in addition had the distinction of being president of the United Graziers' Association of Queensland for 12 years from 1913. He also held office at different times on the Kargoolna Shire Council and Barcoo Marsupial Board, and was president of the Blackall Hospital, of the Barcoo Race Club and Barcoo Amateur Race Club.

For returned soldiers Mr. A. H. Whittingham could not do enough, and always interested himself on their behalf. His connection with amateur sport was varied, and he had a great love for horses, breeding or owning a number of racers that carried his colours to victory.

Mr. Whittingham's sterling character and integrity won him a host of friends in all walks of life. He was noted for his justness and love of fair play. Though of a generous nature, he was unostentatious, and few, except those closest in touch with him, know the extent of his benefactions.

At the date of his death he was a director of the Union Trustee Company of Australia Limited, and on the board of advice of the Australian, Mercantile, Land and Finance Company Limited. He was a member of the Queensland Legislative Council at the time of its abolition.

Mr. Whittingham was married in 1912 to Miss Cecile Taylor, a daughter of the late Mr. Condamine Taylor and the late Mrs. C. Lumley Hill. Mrs. Whittingham lives in Brisbane. There is no family.