James Suttor White

Jim spent his early years in Goondiwindi before coming to the Prep School in 1924. A member of Thomas and later School House, Jim was a gifted athlete, excelling in Athletics, Cricket and Tennis receiving Colours for each. A member of the Athletics Team for four years, in 1930, Jim broke the Australian Open and GPS records for the 120 yards hurdles in a time of 15.2 seconds, missing the world record by less than a second. In 1931 he received the St John Gray Cup, Headmaster’s Cup and the Feez Shield for Tennis. That same year Jim was Captain of Cricket and Tennis and a member of the GPS 1st team for both sports.

Despite offers to play Cricket, Jim retuned to “Edenglassie” in Muswellbrook before moving to “Brunette Downs “ in the Northern Territory in 1933. At the time of his father’s death in 1945, Jim became managing director of several family companies involved in the freehold and lease of land totalling six million acres and carrying 120,000 head of cattle stretching over three states. At “Brunette Downs” Jim did much to develop the shorthorn herds and infrastructure in the twenty five years before the property was sold in 1958, building over 30,000 kilometres of fencing and digging 30 bores. In 1953 with the support of the Shorthorn Association, Jim organised the first Northern Territory Stud Bull sale at “Brunette Downs”. This involved an airlift of Stud Bulls from around the country to the property, the sales contributing significantly to the recovery of the post war cattle industry. In partnership with Professor Lamond from Queensland University, Jim led the way in carrying out successful trials in the artificial insemination of Angus cattle in a fully equipped private laboratory at “Gozo”, Bogabilla.

Jim always maintained his love of sport and in 1937 he took the first of many Cricket Teams on Tour. He formed the Emu Cricket Club and sponsored talented, young, rurally disadvantaged players taking them to Argentina, Singapore and Europe as well as local carnivals. For this work he was awarded an OBE in 1969 for Service to International Relations through Cricket.

He was further recognised with a Medal of Honour from the American Biographical Institute and a Certificate of Merit from the Cambridge Directory of International Biography for lifelong achievement. Jim was also admitted to the Longreach Stockman’s Hall of Fame. Jim’s records from “Brunette Downs “ were donated to the National Archives of Australia and form a significant collection on the development of the cattle industry and history of the Northern Territory.

Jim never forgot his Alma Mater and over the years was a very generous benefactor to the School. He provided funds, often anonymously, for the development of the Gowan Brae site as well as supporting students in need. He became a Trustee of The King’s School Foundation in 1990, a Vice President of Athletics and an Honorary Life Member of the Old Boys’ Union, Tennis and Cricket Clubs. In recognition of his contribution to the School the main oval is named in his honour.