H. W. Gepp

File:TT3126 Herbert W. Gepp.png

Gepp was born in Adelaide, a son of William John Gepp (1843 – 27 March 1915){{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article59301700 |title=Death of Mr W. J. Gepp |newspaper=The Mail (Adelaide) |volume=3 |issue=150 |location=South Australia |date=27 March 1915 |accessdate=8 February 2019 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}} and his wife Marian Gepp, née Rogers (c. 1848 – 11 May 1915).

:William was the eldest surviving son of veterinarian Thomas Gepp, sen. (1809–1894), who arrived in South Australia aboard the brig Rapid in August 1836.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article209043553 |title=Death of Mr T. Gepp, sen. |newspaper=The Express and Telegraph |volume=XXXI |issue=9,306 |location=South Australia |date=19 November 1894 |accessdate=8 February 2019 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}} William's brother Thomas Gepp, jun. (July 1852 – 27 August 1916) was a solicitor who in December 1888 was elected Mayor of Norwood and Kensington.

He was educated at public schools, and won a scholarship to attend Prince Alfred College, but despite a fine academic record and sharing the Longbottom Scholarship in 1893,{{cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article73205279 |title=Prince Alfred College |newspaper=The Advertiser (Adelaide) |location=South Australia |date=22 December 1893 |accessdate=9 February 2019 |page=7 |via=National Library of Australia}} was unable to proceed to Adelaide University due to straitened family circumstances.{{cite web|author=B. E. Kennedy| title=Australian Dictionary of Biography: Gepp, Sir Herbert William (Bert) (1877–1954)|publisher=National Centre of Biography, Australian National University |url=http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/gepp-sir-herbert-william-bert-6298/text10861|date=1981 |access-date=8 February 2019}}

He joined the Australian Explosives and Chemical Co., Deer Park, Victoria, as a cadet in 1893, and in 1896{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139733235 |title=Melbourne University |newspaper=The Australasian |volume=LXI |issue=1597 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=7 November 1896 |accessdate=10 February 2019 |page=33 |via=National Library of Australia}} studied chemistry part-time under Professor Masson at Melbourne University. In 1897 the company was taken over by Alfred Nobel's Explosives and Chemical Co.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article88996506 |title=Colonial Explosives |newspaper=Bendigo Advertiser |volume=XLV |issue=13,019 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=10 February 1897 |accessdate=10 February 2019 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}} and in 1898, still classified as a junior chemist, Gepp was sent to the new parent company's headquarters in Glasgow for two years, and a few years after his return was promoted to manager of the Melbourne factory.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article48123755 |title=Sir Herbert Gepp Dies |newspaper=The Advertiser (Adelaide) |volume=96 |issue=29,798 |location=South Australia |date=15 April 1954 |accessdate=23 December 2018 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}}

In 1905, he accepted the position of first manager of the Broken Hill sulphuric acid manufacturing plant which was about to be commissioned for the Zinc Corporation,{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article211409722 |title=Barrier Bits |newspaper=The Critic (Adelaide) |volume=IX |issue=45 |location=South Australia |date=29 November 1905 |accessdate=10 February 2019 |page=26 |via=National Library of Australia}} largely owned by Clark & Robinson and the big London firm of Bewick, Moreing, and Company,{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article44485901 |title=People |newspaper=The Barrier Miner |volume=XVIII |issue=5429 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=25 November 1905 |accessdate=10 February 2019 |page=4 |via=National Library of Australia}} then resigned 1907 due to ill-health.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article163158751 |title=Zinc Corporation |newspaper=The Observer (Adelaide) |volume=LXIV |issue=3,414 |location=South Australia |date=9 March 1907 |accessdate=10 February 2019 |page=18 |via=National Library of Australia}}

In March 1907, he took over management of the De Bavay Treatment Co., Ltd's zinc concentration plant,{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article88135469 |title=Broken Hill Mines |newspaper=The Chronicle (Adelaide) |volume=49 |issue=2,534 |location=South Australia |date=16 March 1907 |accessdate=10 February 2019 |page=44 |via=National Library of Australia}} and worked on development of the froth flotation process. In 1909 the company became Amalgamated Zinc (De Bavay's) Limited with offices in Melbourne and London.

:By 1911 zinc had progressed from the "sulphide problem" to a barely profitable sideline to a major source of income for Broken Hill. There were now five companies producing vast quantities of zinc concentrate by flotation: the Zinc Corporation; Amalgamated Zinc (De Bavay's); the Central mine, the Proprietary, and the British. This was mostly being exported rather than being smelted in Australia due to lack of facilities.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article45136808 |title=The Future for Zinc |newspaper=The Barrier Miner |volume=XXIII |issue=7029 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=9 February 1911 |accessdate=11 February 2019 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}} This article includes a chart of zinc concentrate exports 1905–1910

At the outbreak of war in 1914 Gepp led a volunteer rifle company at Broken Hill, and enlisted with the First AIF. He underwent training with the 12th company Field Engineers at Fort Largs.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article45301261 |title=In Broken Hill. Volunteer Engineers' Section |newspaper=The Barrier Miner |volume=XXVII |issue=8170 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=22 October 1914 |accessdate=11 February 2019 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}}

He was however commandeered by Billy Hughes and William Baillieu to encourage the US use of Australian zinc concentrates, and by Andrew Fisher to investigate munitions manufacture.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article234437442 |title=The Man of the Week |newspaper=Smith's Weekly |volume=VIII |issue=10 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=24 April 1926 |accessdate=11 February 2019 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}}

While in America, Gepp recruited Charles M. Warner of the Dwight-Lloyd Company, suppliers of roasting equipment; Guy C. Riddell of A. S. & R., East Helena, Montana; and Gilbert Rigg of New Jersey Zinc to assist with new zinc works going up at Broken Hill, Port Pirie and Hobart.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5548854 |title=Mining News |newspaper=The Advertiser (Adelaide) |volume=LIX |issue=18,163 |location=South Australia |date=30 December 1916 |accessdate=11 February 2019 |page=12 |via=National Library of Australia}}

Under Gepp's direction, Amalgamated Zinc (De Bavay's) founded a subsidiary, Electrolytic Zinc to produce zinc metal in Risdon, Tasmania from Broken Hill and Port Pirie concentrate using the plentiful and cheap hydroelectric power then available.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article89773464 |title=Mining |newspaper=The Leader (Melbourne) |issue=3158 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=15 July 1916 |accessdate=12 February 2019 |page=22 |via=National Library of Australia}} In 1917 he was appointed general manager of the new company, and with support from Baillieu steered the factory through its difficult trial phases. He led the design and construction of a pilot plant, scaled it up to ten tons of 99.95% purity zinc metal per week then a 100-ton plant in 1918.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11378526 |title=Electrolytic Zinc |newspaper=The Mercury (Hobart) |volume=CVIII |issue=15,049 |location=Tasmania, Australia |date=14 January 1918 |accessdate=13 February 2019 |page=6 |via=National Library of Australia}} Chief research chemist at the Risdon works was Roland D. Williams, who was with Gepp in Broken Hill.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article26631287 |title=Research Chief Ends Long Association |newspaper=The Mercury (Hobart) |volume=CLXIX |issue=24,506 |location=Tasmania, Australia |date=28 June 1949 |accessdate=14 February 2019 |page=5 |via=National Library of Australia}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article96217310 |title=Former Piriean Retires In Tasmania |newspaper=The Recorder (Port Pirie) |issue=13,410 |location=South Australia |date=4 July 1949 |accessdate=14 February 2019 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}}

In 1926, Gepp entered a new phase, as a public servant.

• He was appointed by Prime Minister Bruce chair of the Development and Migration Commission,{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article31931931 |title=This Week's Business. |newspaper=The West Australian |volume=XLII |issue=7,505 |location=Western Australia |date=21 June 1926 |accessdate=13 February 2019 |page=6 |via=National Library of Australia}} The commission was disbanded by the Scullin government in 1930 as a money-saving measure: Gepp was kept on with a retainer of £1250 a year, down from £5000.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article244473148 |title=End of Migration Commission |newspaper=The Herald (Melbourne) |issue=16,492 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=26 March 1930 |accessdate=13 February 2019 |page=7 |via=National Library of Australia}}
• In 1929, he was appointed to a Royal Commission reporting into the coal industry{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134491179 |title=The Coal Crisis |newspaper=Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate |issue=16,400 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=9 May 1929 |accessdate=14 February 2019 |page=5 |via=National Library of Australia}}
• He was appointed chairman of the Royal Commission on the wheat, flour, and bread industries in 1934{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article51854329 |title=Wheat Industry |newspaper=The Examiner (Tasmania) |volume=XCII |issue=269 |location=Tasmania, Australia |date=24 January 1934 |accessdate=14 February 2019 |page=7 |via=National Library of Australia}}
• In 1934, he was appointed director of the North Australian Aerial Geological and Geophysical Survey.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article47560458 |title=Search for Wealth in North Australia |newspaper=The Advertiser (Adelaide) |location=South Australia |date=24 May 1934 |accessdate=14 February 2019 |page=18 |via=National Library of Australia}}
• In 1942, he was put in charge of the Central Cargo Committee set up under National Security regulations to expedite wartime unloading of ships and road transport of goods. He was not only given leave of absence by his employer (APM) but they paid his salary.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11977378 |title=Central Cargo Committee |newspaper=The Argus (Melbourne) |issue=29,871 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=21 May 1942 |accessdate=14 February 2019 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}}

In 1931, he became technical consultant to Australian Paper Manufacturers Ltd, and in 1936 was appointed its general manager. He was responsible for development of the Maryvale pulp mill, near Morwell, Victoria, which entered production in 1939; he initiated a housing scheme for its workers. His son Orwell started working for the company during WWII as head of recycling, and stayed on as sales manager.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article245389223 |title=Mr Orwell Gepp |newspaper=The Herald (Melbourne) |issue=21,720 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=31 December 1946 |accessdate=10 February 2019 |page=13 |via=National Library of Australia}}

He retired in 1950, and died suddenly at his farm, aged 76. His remains were buried in the local cemetery.

• Gepp was a popular speaker on scientific and societal subjects: miners' health{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article227008999 |title=Dangers of Mining |newspaper=The Bendigo Independent |issue=10,538 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=29 April 1904 |accessdate=9 February 2019 |page=4 |via=National Library of Australia}}
• In 1913 he founded the Broken Hill Progress Association, whose aim was to improve the town's amenities.

• From 1924{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article222807824 |title=Country Notes |newspaper=Weekly Times |issue=2853 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=19 April 1924 |accessdate=15 February 2019 |page=29 |via=National Library of Australia}} he owned a share farm, "Garden Hill Estate" at Kangaroo Ground, Victoria, where he ran a large herd of dairy cattle, reduced in 1938{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article56847660 |title=Advertising |newspaper=The Advertiser (Eltham) |location=Victoria, Australia |date=1 July 1938 |accessdate=15 February 2019 |page=6 |via=National Library of Australia}} and until 1943{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article206353051 |title=Advertising |newspaper=The Age |issue=27664 |location=Victoria, Australia |date=18 December 1943 |accessdate=15 February 2019 |page=10 |via=National Library of Australia}} he ran a dairy of some 40 cows, then an Aberdeen-Angus cattle stud.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article97146547 |title=Aberdeen-Angus News |newspaper=Queensland Country Life |volume=11 |issue=36 |location=Queensland, Australia |date=21 March 1946 |accessdate=15 February 2019 |page=8 |via=National Library of Australia}}

• In 1924, Gepp and Gilbert Rigg were awarded the Gold Medal of the (British) Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, the first Australians so honored, and represented Australia at that body's Empire Congress in London.
• In 1924, Gepp was elected president of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy
• In 1924, he served as a commissioner for the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley.
• In 1926, he was appointed chairman of the Commonwealth Development and Migration Commission
• He was knighted in 1933{{Cite web |title=Mr Herbert William Gepp |url=https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1083294 |access-date=2022-06-11 |website=It's an Honour}}
• In 1950, he was elected chairman of the Australian Chemical Institute

Gepp married Jessie Powell Hilliard at Hawthorn, Victoria on 5 July 1905. Their family included:

• Orwell Hilliard Gepp (July 1906 – ) married Marjory Jean Broad ( – ) on 1 October 1930. He was an agronomist and for a time breeder of Blonde d'Aquitaine cattle.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article189716226 |title=Cam-Brae |newspaper=The Times (Victor Harbor) |volume=74 |issue=3,488 |location=South Australia |date=6 February 1987 |accessdate=9 February 2019 |page=16 |via=National Library of Australia}}
• Kathleen Jessie Gepp (5 January 1908 – ) social editor with The Age, appointed director of Junior Red Cross, Geneva in 1949
• Dr. Dorothy Marian Gepp (perhaps 1909 – 2004) married Dr. Alexander John Maum Sinclair (6 November 1908 – 7 October 1989) on 15 March 1937. He served with the Royal Flying Doctor Service, became a noted psychiatrist.{{cite web|url=http://munksroll.rcplondon.ac.uk/Biography/Details/4074 |title=Lives of the Fellows: Munk's Roll : Volume IX : Alexander John Maum Sinclair| publisher=Royal College of Physicians|access-date=9 February 2019}}
• Constance Crawford Gepp (1911 – ) married Curtis Wilson, formerly A.D.C. to General Lavarack, on 22 August 1944. She was a financial journalist, then London-based social reporter for Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate
• Margaret Helen "Mardi" Gepp (1920 – 2005) married Squadron-Leader Richard Gething, A.F.C., Royal Air Force in Canada on 11 May 1940. She was a pilot with ATA, ferrying planes during WWII.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17932681 |title=Australian Girl Flew Spitfires |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |issue=33,385 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=23 December 1944 |accessdate=9 February 2019 |page=5 |via=National Library of Australia}}

They had a home "Strathalan" in Macleod, Victoria, later on Hampden road, Armadale, Victoria

• Gepp, H. W., as told to Alan Moyle, I look at life through a question mark : a retrospect and a challenge, The Sun News-Pictorial, Melbourne 1936
• Gepp, H. W. Democracy's danger : addresses on various occasions, Angus & Robertson, Sydney 1939
• Gepp, H. W. When Peace Comes, Robertson & Mullens, Melbourne 1943
• Gepp, H. W. The changing factors in industrial human relations, Institute of Industrial Management, Sydney 1946

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Category:1877 births

Category:1954 deaths

Category:Australian physical chemists

Category:Australian business executives

Category:Australian public servants

Category:People educated at Prince Alfred College