Mariannus Adrian (Mac) Cuming (1901–1988)

Born on 26 November 1901 in Footscray, Melbourne, Mariannus Adrian "Mac" Cuming was the youngest of five children of James Cuming Jr., the general manager of Cuming Smith & Co., and his wife Alice Louisa Fehon. His father, originally from America, played a pivotal role in the chemical fertilizer industry. Mac received his early education at a small private school in Footscray before attending Camberwell Grammar and later Melbourne Church of England Grammar School, where he enrolled in 1917. His academic journey saw him attend the University of Melbourne, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in 1924. Following his degree, Mac traveled to the United States to investigate advancements in superphosphate production before obtaining a diploma in chemical engineering from the Imperial College of Science and Technology in London.

Returning to Australia, Mac joined the family business, Cuming Smith & Co., and soon became an authority on acid plant operations and related factory processes. He married Wilma Margaret Isles Guthrie at the Chapel of St Peter at Melbourne Grammar on 20 April 1926.

In 1930, Mac moved to Perth to serve as works manager for Cuming Smith & Mt Lyell Farmers Fertilisers Ltd, where he rose to general manager by 1933. Returning to Melbourne in 1936, he continued to ascend in the company’s leadership, becoming a director in 1933 and later stepping into the shoes of his late brother (William Fehon Cuming) as general manager in 1945. Mac was eventually named chairman of Cuming Smith & Co. Ltd in 1957, a position he held until 1980. He was also appointed managing director in 1948 and chairman of Commonwealth Fertilisers & Chemicals Ltd in 1956.

Mac was a prominent figure in Australia’s postwar chemical fertilizer industry, he held numerous leadership positions, including chairman of CSBP & Farmers (CSBP; Wesfarmers) from 1943 to 1971 and ACF & Shirleys Fertilizers Ltd from 1964 to 1965. He served as a director of several other major fertilizer companies and also sat on the boards of Imperial Chemical Industries of Australia and New Zealand Ltd (ICIANZ), the Broken Hill Proprietary Co. Ltd (BHP), and the Victorian board of the Australian Mutual Provident Society (AMP), where he was deputy chairman from 1949 to 1976.

Mac took great pride in his family's industrial roots, often recalling their reputation as "the manure Cumings" with fondness. He maintained a strong connection with long-time employees and expressed concern when, in 1978, Cuming Smith was subject to a takeover bid by a corporate raider, which led to the company's acquisition by Westralian Farmer’s Co-operative Ltd in 1979. To preserve the family's legacy, Mac ensured the public deposit of business and family records.

Beyond the business world, Mac was deeply involved in various charitable organizations. He served on the board of the Alfred Hospital from 1945 to 1977, acted as a trustee for the Baker Medical Research Institute from 1965 to 1976, and was a governor of the Ian Clunies Ross Memorial Foundation from 1977 to 1978. He was recognized as a fellow of the Australian Institute of Management in 1957 and was appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in 1962. Mac was also an avid golfer and gardener, with his garden designed by Edna Walling. His commitment to sustainability (or manure) was evident in his dedication to composting, and he was often amused when mistaken for a professional gardener.

Mac passed away on 26 February 1988 and was cremated. He was predeceased by his wife Wilma in 1984 and was survived by their three sons and one daughter.

William James Cuming (1912-1986), Mac’s nephew, was born on 3 February 1912, the eldest son of William Fehon Cuming and Annie Jordan. After completing his education at Melbourne Church of England Grammar School, William earned a Bachelor of Mining Engineering from the University of Melbourne in 1935. He began his career with North Broken Hill Ltd (NBH), where he published Mine Drainage System in 1938. In 1940, William married Grace Laurette Dunstan.

Encouraged by his granduncle, Sir Alexander Stewart, William joined Commonwealth Fertilisers during World War II and played a key role in the construction of three sulfuric acid plants. Over the years, he held various positions within the company, including works engineer and technical manager. Despite being passed over for further executive advancement, he continued his career with ICIANZ and later became a consultant to Boral Ltd. He also served as a director of Cuming Smith and CSBP & Farmers.

An advocate for technical and tertiary education, William was actively involved with Footscray Technical College, where he served as council president from 1965 to 1969. His contributions to the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy were also significant, including serving as its president in 1970. William was remembered for his direct manner and dry wit, earning the title of honorary member of the Institute in 1982. He passed away on 15 January 1986 at Canterbury and was cremated.