Economics professor has connection to the region

Charles Quiggin was born in Shepparton and his great-grandparents once ran a timber and paint store in what was then just a town.

The connection became apparent when chatting with Professor John Quiggin recently at Queensland University’s St Lucia campus.

Prof Quiggin, the son of Charles, is an Australian Laureate Fellow in economics.

He knew little about what his great-grandparents did in Shepparton and equally little about where the business was.

Professor John Quiggin.

However, he did know they were merchants and remembers seeing a picture of an old building with a sign on it about paint being for sale.

Charles moved his family to Melbourne in the 1930s and died about a decade ago.

Prof Quiggin’s grandfather, Albert and his great-grandfather John, both lived in Shepparton, and their lives as merchants have been recognised through the naming of Quiggin Court, which runs off Callister St.

Asked about family in Shepparton, Prof Quiggin said: ‘‘I’m not aware of any family still there — the closest would be second cousins.

‘‘I’ve only visited once, but would be keen to come again.’’

Prof Quiggin researches and writes about economics, but has a particular interest in climate change and often comments about the inadequacies of the present government’s policies.

Until he resigned in protest, he was a member of Australian Climate Commission, one of the first bodies to be scrapped in 2013 by then newly-elected Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

Shepparton’s Beneath the Wisteria is hopeful of organising a visit from Prof Quiggin to have him speak about the connection between economics and climate change.

Story by Robert McLean from today’s Shepparton News - “Connection to region.”