Garrow, Clyde (1922 - 1999)

Summary

Clyde Garrow was involved with the CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) for fifty-nine years and made major contributions to the Australian wool industry. He first joined the CSIRO as a junior clerk (1949), but became an 'honorary scientist' when he moved to the Division of Protein Chemistry. There he investigated new methods of bailing wool including vacuum processing of wool. He was awarded a Masters in Agricultural Science for this work which was an amazing feat considering Garrow had no formal scientific training. He had previously studied public administration, commerce and accounting.

While at the Division of Protein Chemistry Garrow also helped develop or improve many products including sheepskin car seat covers, wool-fast dyes for the garment industry, and Teflon-coated shearing combs. For two years from 1964 Garrow was seconded to the International Wool Secretariat to look into expanding the use and marketability of wool. From 1969 to 1972 he worked in the United Sates of America as an Attache to the Australian embassy in Washington. Once back in Australia Garrow was back with the CSIRO but this time as inaugural manager of the central information service. He was also appointed Chair of the Australian Academy of Science's Information Committee.

In 1992, Clyde Garrow was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in recognition of service to science and technology through the wool industry.

Details

Chronology

1940 - 1942

Career position - Junior Clerk at CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) Head Office in East Melbourne

1942 - 1946

Military service - Second World War - Lieutenant, Royal Australian Navy Volunteer Reserve, at the naval bases HMAS Cerberus and HMAS Lonsdale, in Victoria; HMAS Leeuwin in Fremantle (Western Australia) and HMAS Melville, in Darwin (Northern Territory)

1950 - 1969

Career position - CSIRO Division of Protein Chemistry at Parkville, Victoria

1964 - 1965

Career position - Seconded to the International Wool Secretariat, UK (two years)

1969 - 1972

Career position - Scientific Attache to the Australian Embassy in Washington

1972 -

Career position - Manager of the CSIRO Central Information Service

1992

Award - Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) - in recognition of service to science and technology through the wool industry

Related entries

Published resources

Newspaper Articles

• Coogan, Clive; Kimpton, David, 'Obituaries: Clyde Garrow, OAM', The Age (1999). Details

Resources

• CA 38, Navy Office [IV], Department of the Navy [II]; CA 46, Department of Defence [III], Central Office, 'NAA: A6769, GARROW C', A6769 Service Cards for Navy Officers, 1911-1970, National Archives of Australia, RecordSearch, https://RecordSearch.naa.gov.au/scripts/AutoSearch.asp?O=I&Number=5216772. Details
• 'Garrow, Clyde (1922-1999)', Trove, National Library of Australia, 2009, https://nla.gov.au/nla.party-1475668. Details