Robert Savage, Victorian Pioneer: A Collection

Robert Savage, Victorian Pioneer: A Collection (book) by Ian Itter

Ian has kindly offered to donate 30% of the $40.00 cover price to our restoration project.

Robert Savage arrived in Hobart in 1843 and soon sailed across Bass Strait with the pioneering Henty family, bringing sheep to settle land alongside the well-known pastoralist H.P. Dana.

A prolific writer and keen observer of his time, Savage recorded early encounters with the local Aboriginal people and contributed frequently to newspapers of the day. His thoughtful commentary earned him the role of Agricultural Editor at The Argus newspaper in Melbourne, where he penned many respected editorials on contemporary rural and agricultural issues.

Savage also played a key part in Australia’s mechanical innovation. Working closely with Frederick York Wolseley, he co-developed and patented several agricultural inventions, including the first mechanical shearing handpiece in Australia.

Even after parting ways with Wolseley, Savage continued his inventive pursuits. He designed a torpedo intended to protect Melbourne’s gold ships and created two models of Earth Scoops — both of which still survive today at Walgett, NSW.

This book offers a fascinating, though incomplete, window into the life and legacy of a remarkable settler and innovator. It will appeal to anyone interested in Australia’s rural history, early journalism, and mechanical ingenuity.