Head and shoulders portrait of George Chaffey, irrigation pioneer of Renmark and Mildura

Canadian born brothers George and William Benjamin Chaffey were enticed to Australia by Victorian parliamentarian Alfred Deakin. Deakin was impressed by their success in establishing irrigation schemes in California and proposed they set up an irrigation colony in Victoria's Mallee area, utilising water from the River Murray. When negotiations with the Victorian government stalled, the South Australian government invited the brothers to South Australia. Renmark in South Australia was established in 1887 as the first irrigation colony in Australia, Mildura in Victoria followed shortly after. The Chaffey brothers' enterprise folded in 1893 and they were financially ruined. George returned to California, but Ben remained and became mayor of Mildura which eventually thrived.

Chaffey, George, 1848-1932

The Australian irrigation colonies on the River Murray, in Victoria and South Australia 1888-1889, [compiled, etc., by J.E. Matthew Vincent], Magill, SA: River Publications, 1994

Morrison, AD. Chaffey Bros. life history: founders of Renmark and Mildura Irrigation Settlements, [Renmark, SA]: National Trust of South Australia, Renmark Branch, [1974?]