John Riddoch
John Riddoch | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1827-10-27 Turriff, Aberdeenshire, Scotland |
| Died | 1901-07-15 |
| Occupation(s) | Pastoralist, politician |
| Years active | 1851–1901 |
| Known for | Pastoralism in South Australia, member of South Australian House of Assembly for Victoria district |
John Riddoch (27 October 1827 – 15 July 1901) was a prominent pastoralist and political figure in South Australia, known for his business collaboration with his brother George Riddoch.
History
Riddoch was born in Turriff, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and made the journey to Victoria in 1851. After achieving success on the Ovens River goldfields, he established a career as a storekeeper and wine merchant based in Geelong. In 1861, he purchased Yallum Park Estate, a sheep and cattle property near Penola, where he initiated the Coonawarra fruit colony and constructed a distinguished homestead.
Together with George, he developed substantial landholdings across South Australia's southeast; by 1891 their combined properties encompassed . Their principal estate was Glencoe station, spanning , which supported a livestock population of 53,000 sheep, 3,500 cattle, and 300 horses. This estate featured an acclaimed woolshed that is now maintained by the National Trust. When their partnership dissolved in 1898, John retained the southern section for promoting closer settlement, while George named his portion "Koorine".
Politics
John served as the representative for the district of Victoria in the South Australian House of Assembly between 1865 and 1870 and again from 1871 to 1873. During his terms, he worked alongside prominent individuals such as Adam Lindsay Gordon and Edwin Derrington.
George Riddoch later held the seat for Victoria from 1893 to 1896 and was elected to the South Australian Legislative Council representing the Southern District in 1901, retiring from politics in 1909.
Other interests
A close associate of poet Adam Lindsay Gordon, John Riddoch frequently hosted him at Yallum, where Gordon composed his celebrated poem The Sick Stockrider. Both brothers were members of the Adelaide Club. John was appointed as the inaugural chairman of the Penola District Council and actively participated in the Penola Agricultural and Horticultural Society. He also held a leadership role within the local Presbyterian Church. Furthermore, he contributed to the Mount Gambier Art Gallery by donating his portrait painted by Tennyson Cole.
Family
On 12 May 1854, he married Eliza (or Elizabeth) King (– 2 October 1881). He was survived by one son, John Alexander Riddoch of Katnook, along with three daughters.