Kelley, Ralph Bodkin, LVSc 1914. BVSc 1930, DVSc 1937
RALPH BODKIN KELLEY, O.B.E., D.V.Sc.
Dr. R. B. Kelley, who was widely known for his contributions to the study and practice of animal breeding, died at Nambour, Queensland, on 13 February, 1970 at the age of 79.
Ralph Bodkin Kelley was born in Melbourne in 1890 and was educated at Caulfield Grammar School and University of Melbourne, where he graduated in Veterinary Science in 1914 (L.V.Sc. 1914; B.V.Sc. 1930; D.V.Sc. 1937.)
There followed 4 ½ years service in the A.I.F. and then a number of veterinary appointments, until he joined the Division of Animal Health of CSIR, as Animal Geneticist in 1931.
One of his responsibilities in this appointment was to investigate Dr. Gilruth's idea for an improved breed of cattle for Northern Australia by appropriate cross-breeding with Zebu strains.
Dr. Kelley selected and brought to Australia from USA, in 1933, the initial importation of 19 head Zebu cattle for a syndicate of Queensland pastoralists, and subsequently observed and recorded their performance and that of their progeny under Australian conditions over the next 15 years.
The promising results obtained led him to recommend a further importation in the early fifties, and he was again associated with the selection in USA of many of these cattle, notably the foundation stock - Brahman and Africander for the CSIRO National Cattle Breeding Station at Belmont near Rockhampton. The inclusion of representatives of the Manso strain in these consignments owed much to his judgment. Dr. Kelley was also concerned with the selection and importation by CSIRO of Sindhi and Sahiwal cattle from Pakistan.
For most of his career in CSIRO, Dr. Kelley operated as the Officer-in-Charge of the McMaster Field Station, Badgery's Creek, New South Wales, which was the centre of his work in connection with sheep breeding investigations and his personal interest in the breeding and training of sheep dogs.
Following his retirement from CSIRO in 1954, Dr. Kelley held a number of overseas appointments in Singapore, Malaya and the Middle East, but of recent years had been living in more complete retirement at Nambour, Queensland, though still available for consultation on cattle breeding programmes.
Dr. Kelley was the author of many scientific papers and of three books dealing with his specialties. He is survived by his wife and one son, Brian, of Rockhampton, Queensland.