Summary

This set of diaries covering the period 1928-1969 was kept by Neville Charles Copeman in his capacity as stock inspector in south-east Queensland and, after World War II, as district inspector of stock at Cairns.

Copeman was based at Helidon on the Darling Downs until May 1931. His duties included inspecting, dipping and spraying travelling stock, including circus animals, visiting cattle sales, giving evidence in police courts on matters relating to stock, issuing permits, etc.

Copeman then spent a year at Ravensbourne undertaking similar duties. He spent six weeks in Townsville during 1931 supervising the cleaning of railway wagons and providing veterinary assistance to the Townsville Experimental Station at Oonoonba.

He spent five years at Wandoan and during the war years was based at Crows Nest. Immediately after the war, Copeman took up the duties of district inspector of stock at Cairns. In both the town and the hinterland, he was responsible for ensuring that butcher shops, saleyards and meatworks conformed to hygiene regulations. In addition his work involved quarantine duties, conducting post-mortems on animals and liaising closely with the Government Veterinary Officer on matters relating to Brucellosis testing and contagious pleuropneumonia.