Person
Murphy, Ronald William (Bill) (1927 - 2022)
- Born
- 1927
- Died
- 11 June 2022
Ballarat, Victoria, Australia - Occupation
- Fitter and turner, Naturalist and Photographer
Summary
Bill Murphy was a welder and fitter and turner who worked for Victoria's State Electricity Commission until about 1970. Subsequently he became an insurance agent, often visiting farms in the Ballarat region. With his wife, Pat, he was a member of the Field Naturalists Club of Ballarat. He served twice as President: Bill and Pat were both awarded the Club's Medal. While Bill saw his role as principally supporting Pat, he became very knowledgeable about the local flora. He was also a skilled photographer. After Pat's death he ensured that her specimens were donated to the National Herbarium of Victoria.
Details
Chronology
- 1972 - 1973
- Career position - President, Field Naturalists Club of Ballarat
- 1975
- Career position - President, Field Naturalists Club of Ballarat
- 1985
- Career position - Vice-President, Field Naturalists Club of Ballarat
- 2001
- Award - Club Medal, Field Naturalists Club of Ballarat
- 2018 - 2022
- Award - Life Member, Field Naturalists Club of Ballarat
Related entries
Spouse
Published resources
Journal Articles
- Kruss, Susan, 'A passion for plants: the botanical contribution of P. J. Murphy', Muelleria, 36 (2018), 22-50. Details
- Noble, Emily, 'Bill Murphy - a special friend', The Ballarat naturalist 22(6):1-5, 22 (6) (2022), 1-5, https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/333229#page/5/mode/1up. Details
- Norquay, Paul, 'Vale Ronald William (Bill) Murphy', The Ballarat naturalist 22(6):6-7, 22 (6) (2022), 6-7, https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/333229#page/5/mode/1up. Details
Theses
- Kruss, Susan, 'A voice for nature: a history of the Field Naturalists' Club of Ballarat', PhD thesis, Federation University Australia, 2024, 594 pp. Details
Helen Cohn
Created: 19 May 2026