John Moffat

John Moffat (26 May 1841 – 28 June 1918) was a Scottish-born entrepreneur who developed a mining and industrial empire around Loudoun Mill and Irvinebank in North Queensland which drove the development of north-eastern Australia. He was a devout Swedenborgian who was famous for both vision and enterprise. He was born in Newmilns (New Mills), Ayrshire, Scotland, and spent most of his youth immersed in books. Extremely shy in temperament, he was known to hide whenever visitors approached. It was a habit he was to retain throughout his life.

Career Emigration to Australia After learning bookkeeping and working as a clerk in Newmilns and Glasgow, he emigrated to Australia, where he worked as a shepherd on the Mount Abundance pastoral station, west of Brisbane.

Philanthropy He always recognised the importance of community, especially in the harsh and remote frontier of northern Australia, and always initiated and supported cultural infrastructure such as transport, School of Arts (mechanics' institutes) libraries, churches and other cultural institutions. This attracted families and permanent settlers who established themselves in a harsh and inhospitable environment.

Awards In 2018, John Moffat was inducted into the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame.