W.J. Beattie was Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Widgee Shire Council and also served as Deputy Chairman of the Widgee Council. He was appointed to the first Vegetable Sectional Group Committee in 1946, and remained a member until his retirement in 1976. From 1961 until 1973 he was Chairman of the Group. From 1960 to 1976 he was a member of the Vegetable Advisory Committee, and was responsible for obtaining a Federal Grant for use in research work on vegetables. He also represented the C.O.D. on the noxious Plants Committee and the Council of Agriculture, ultimately becoming Deputy President of the latter body.
From the description of M 435 W.J. Beattie Papers. (Libraries Australia). WorldCat record id: 755717980