The Hon. John Alexander Gunn M.L.C. 1860-1910: Wagga Wagga colonial scientist, grazier and politician

John Alexander Gunn was born near Ballarat in 1860 and is one of the forgotten people of rural Australia. He deserves wider fame for his achievement in creating an anthrax vaccine which worked in Australian conditions. This vaccine rescued Australian grazing livestock from a very serious problem. J.A. moved to the Riverina in 1878 and spent the rest of his life in the Wagga Wagga area. He belonged to various agricultural associations trying to improve rural life including the Stockowners' Association, the Farmers and Settlers Association, the Fish and Game Protection Society, the Royal Agricultural Society, the Kyeamba Shire Council, the Pastures Protection Boards Council of Advice and the Murrumbidgee Pastoral and Agricultural Association. He was also the Chairman of the Council of Advice on Rabbit Extermination. His hard work culminated in his life appointment to the Upper House of the New South Wales parliament in 1908. He died in 1910.