Raymond Paul Johnston, 1939-2001

Dr. Paul Johnston, Senior Principal Plant Breeder for the Department of Primary Industries, Queensland, passed away on his 62^nd birthday (June 11^th 2001). His death was the result of a short, unexpected illness. Paul is survived by his wife, Mary, and their daughters Fiona and Charlotte. His family was the greatest of his life-long loves.

Paul's second great love was barley. He studied for the degree of Bachelor of Agricultural Science at the University of Queensland, graduating in 1961 and was immediately employed by the Department of Primary Industries as a linseed breeder. In 1967, Paul instigated a barley variety testing program with the intention of identifying material suited to malting barley production in the South Queensland cropping region. Paul's PhD studies were subsequently conducted at the University of Adelaide and his thesis, "Single Plant Selection for Yield in Barley", was accepted in 1973. Upon his return to Queensland, Paul developed and led a full-scale barley breeding program. The barley varieties released from the program under Paul's guidance include Grimmett, Tallon, Gilbert and Lindwall; with another to be launched in 2002.In the months prior to his death, Paul was the Department's Senior Principal Plant Breeder, with overall responsibility for its wheat, barley and oat breeding programs.

Paul's contribution to the Australian barley industry has been widely recognised. His "whole of industry" approach meant that he was highly respected by both researchers and industry. He was instrumental in the development of the national coordination of barley research by the Grains Research and Development Corporation. Paul was a long standing member of the Institute and Guild of Brewing, the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology, the Australian Malting Barley Development Council and several other professional bodies. In 1997, Paul was made a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology for "eminent and dedicated service to the Institute and the profession".

Paul was also well known and respected on the international scene. His natural communication skills and genuine warmth and respect towards other people led to the development of many friendships with his international colleagues. Paul had been a member of International Barley Genetics Symposium International Organising Committee for several years and was it's chairman when he passed away.

Apart from being an eminent scientist, Paul was an accomplished sportsman. His great sporting love was cricket and Paul was an excellent batsman and very capable bowler. One of Paul's favourite cricket memories was scoring 26 runs in a single over from the Australian test bowler, Terry Jenner, in a match played on Paul's "home ground" in Warwick. Paul was also highly enthusiastic about horse racing and was treasurer of the Warwick Turf Club for many years.

The Australian and International barley communities will severely miss Paul Johnston, described by colleagues as a "big man with a big heart". Paul was a knowledgable and humble man with a great affinity for people. He always saw himself as one of the team, stating once in a letter that "We all know that the best research involves different disciplines and contributions from a group of innovative people and is seldom, if ever, the result of one person's brilliance." Paul's contributions always lifted his teams to success and his enthusiasm for the barley industry and life in general encouraged us all; either in the heat of the action or enjoying a cold beer afterwards.