Peter Waite (9 May 1834 – 4 April 1922)[1] was a South Australian pastoralist, businessman, company director and public benefactor. Waite's philanthropic endeavors provided significant benefit to the University of Adelaide and to local public schools, and generations of students have benefited from his largesse.
Australian pastoralist and philanthropist Peter Waite
Waite was born at Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland, son of James Waite, a farmer, and his wife Elizabeth, née Stocks. Waite was left fatherless and after leaving school he was apprenticed to an ironmonger[1] and spent nine years in commercial pursuits. Waite then sailed to Australia aboard the British Trident, landed at Melbourne and went on to South Australia.[1] There he joined his brother James who was part owner of Pandappa station near Terowie. Waite worked on this station for some years and acquired a thorough knowledge of the pastoral industry. Waite then (in conjunction with Sir Thomas Elder) bought Paratoo station, and gradually obtained interests in other properties.[2] He was one of the first to realize the value of fenced as against open runs, and spent over £200,000 in fencing and providing water. He later owned Momba Station, one of the largest sheep stations in outback New South Wales. Waite and other pastoralists in the area formed the Pastoralists' Association of West Darling in 1906.[3]
On 21 November 1864 Waite married his first cousin Matilda Methuen (d.1922), a daughter of James Methuen of Leith, Scotland. Together they had eight children.[1] For many years he lived in the country and kept a strict eye on the management of his various properties. Later he was able to hand over much of this management to his son, while he conducted business in Adelaide. He thoroughly understood the needs of pastoralists, and in 1883 became chairman of Elder's Wool & Produce Co. Ltd, a subsidiary Elder Smith and Company.[1] In 1888 the two companies were amalgamated and he became chairman of directors of Elder Smith & Co. Ltd, "displaying remarkable ingenuity and initiative".[1] He held this position for 34 years, resigning a few months before his death. Waite was also Managing Director of the Beltana Pastoral Co. Ltd and the Mutooroo Pastoral Co. Ltd. He held directorships with the Commercial Union Assurance Co. Ltd, the British Broken Hill Co. Ltd, and the S.A. Woollen Co. Ltd.[1]
Philanthropic deedsedit
Urrbrae House, which was included in Peter Waite's bequest to the University of Adelaide. The house was his primary place of residence from 1891 when it was completed until his death in 1922.
In 1913 Waite presented to the University of Adelaide his valuable Urrbrae estate comprising 134 acres (54 ha) and house, to which in 1915 was added the adjoining Claremont and Netherby estates of 165 acres (67 ha). Benefactions to the University of Adelaide allowed the university to establish the Waite Agricultural Research Institute which later became the Waite Campus of the university, the hub of the Waite Research Precinct.[4] The Waite Institute was established on the site in 1924.
The donation remains one of the largest public benefactions in South Australian history.[4] The objective of the bequest was to advance the cause of education, and more especially, to promote the teaching and study of agriculture, forestry and other related subjects.[2] The Waite Institute has developed into an integrated research and teaching precinct that has been presented as a model for the collocation of agricultural research institutions.
Waite also gave an adjoining estate of 114 acres (46 ha) to the government of South Australia for the purpose of founding an agricultural high school: Urrbrae Agricultural High School.[1] Waite was working until a few months before his death from heart failure on 4 April 1922; he was survived by his wife, son and three daughters.[1] One of his daughters, Elizabeth Macmeikan (died 5 April 1931), left the residue of her estate, some £16,000, to the University of Adelaide to be used for the study of sciences relating to the land, either in connexion with the Waite Research Institute or otherwise.
^ abSearle, Percival (1949). "Waite, Peter". Dictionary of Australian Biography. Angus and Robertson. Retrieved 25 January 2008.
^"History". The Pastoralists’ Association of West Darling. 2012. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
^ ab"Peter Waite". University of Adelaide. 2008. Retrieved 25 January 2008.
External linksedit
Urrbrae House - University of Adelaide
Waite Campus of the University of Adelaide
Death of Mr. Peter Waite; A Prince of Benefactors. The Advertiser (Newspaper Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931), Wed 5 Apr 1922, Page 7
Death of Mr. Peter Waite; Big City Business Ventures. The Advertiser (Newspaper Adelaide, SA : 1889 – 1931), Wed 5 Apr 1922, Page 9
Obituary: Death of Mr. Peter Waite; A Prince of Benefactors. - Chronicle (Newspaper Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Sat 8 Apr 1922
November 28, 2023
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Peter Waite 9 May 1834 4 April 1922 1 was a South Australian pastoralist businessman company director and public benefactor Waite s philanthropic endeavors provided significant benefit to the University of Adelaide and to local public schools and generations of students have benefited from his largesse Australian pastoralist and philanthropist Peter Waite Contents 1 Career 2 Philanthropic deeds 3 References 4 External linksCareer editWaite was born at Kirkcaldy Fife Scotland son of James Waite a farmer and his wife Elizabeth nee Stocks Waite was left fatherless and after leaving school he was apprenticed to an ironmonger 1 and spent nine years in commercial pursuits Waite then sailed to Australia aboard the British Trident landed at Melbourne and went on to South Australia 1 There he joined his brother James who was part owner of Pandappa station near Terowie Waite worked on this station for some years and acquired a thorough knowledge of the pastoral industry Waite then in conjunction with Sir Thomas Elder bought Paratoo station and gradually obtained interests in other properties 2 He was one of the first to realize the value of fenced as against open runs and spent over 200 000 in fencing and providing water He later owned Momba Station one of the largest sheep stations in outback New South Wales Waite and other pastoralists in the area formed the Pastoralists Association of West Darling in 1906 3 On 21 November 1864 Waite married his first cousin Matilda Methuen d 1922 a daughter of James Methuen of Leith Scotland Together they had eight children 1 For many years he lived in the country and kept a strict eye on the management of his various properties Later he was able to hand over much of this management to his son while he conducted business in Adelaide He thoroughly understood the needs of pastoralists and in 1883 became chairman of Elder s Wool amp Produce Co Ltd a subsidiary Elder Smith and Company 1 In 1888 the two companies were amalgamated and he became chairman of directors of Elder Smith amp Co Ltd displaying remarkable ingenuity and initiative 1 He held this position for 34 years resigning a few months before his death Waite was also Managing Director of the Beltana Pastoral Co Ltd and the Mutooroo Pastoral Co Ltd He held directorships with the Commercial Union Assurance Co Ltd the British Broken Hill Co Ltd and the S A Woollen Co Ltd 1 Philanthropic deeds edit nbsp Urrbrae House which was included in Peter Waite s bequest to the University of Adelaide The house was his primary place of residence from 1891 when it was completed until his death in 1922 In 1913 Waite presented to the University of Adelaide his valuable Urrbrae estate comprising 134 acres 54 ha and house to which in 1915 was added the adjoining Claremont and Netherby estates of 165 acres 67 ha Benefactions to the University of Adelaide allowed the university to establish the Waite Agricultural Research Institute which later became the Waite Campus of the university the hub of the Waite Research Precinct 4 The Waite Institute was established on the site in 1924 The donation remains one of the largest public benefactions in South Australian history 4 The objective of the bequest was to advance the cause of education and more especially to promote the teaching and study of agriculture forestry and other related subjects 2 The Waite Institute has developed into an integrated research and teaching precinct that has been presented as a model for the collocation of agricultural research institutions Waite also gave an adjoining estate of 114 acres 46 ha to the government of South Australia for the purpose of founding an agricultural high school Urrbrae Agricultural High School 1 Waite was working until a few months before his death from heart failure on 4 April 1922 he was survived by his wife son and three daughters 1 One of his daughters Elizabeth Macmeikan died 5 April 1931 left the residue of her estate some 16 000 to the University of Adelaide to be used for the study of sciences relating to the land either in connexion with the Waite Research Institute or otherwise References edit a b c d e f g h i Findlay Marjorie 1976 Waite Peter 1834 1922 Australian Dictionary of Biography Vol 6 National Centre of Biography Australian National University ISSN 1833 7538 Retrieved 14 February 2010 a b Searle Percival 1949 Waite Peter Dictionary of Australian Biography Angus and Robertson Retrieved 25 January 2008 History The Pastoralists Association of West Darling 2012 Retrieved 15 June 2014 a b Peter Waite University of Adelaide 2008 Retrieved 25 January 2008 External links editUrrbrae House University of Adelaide Waite Campus of the University of Adelaide Death of Mr Peter Waite A Prince of Benefactors The Advertiser Newspaper Adelaide SA 1889 1931 Wed 5 Apr 1922 Page 7 Death of Mr Peter Waite Big City Business Ventures The Advertiser Newspaper Adelaide SA 1889 1931 Wed 5 Apr 1922 Page 9 Obituary Death of Mr Peter Waite A Prince of Benefactors Chronicle Newspaper Adelaide SA 1895 1954 Sat 8 Apr 1922 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Peter Waite philanthropist amp oldid 1182314057, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
