Avoca wheat

Gus Ebeling, who had served as a Lieutenant in the Boer War, was a farmer and had successfully hybridised the "Avoca" variety of wheat. When war was declared, Ebeling volunteered at Maryborough. He was 43 years of age and married.

On 21 August 1914 the Horsham Times reported on the success of "Avoca" wheat.

AVOCA WHEAT. (1914, August 21). The Horsham Times (Vic. : 1882 - 1954), p. 3. Retrieved August 18, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article72906419

The Maffra Spectator had reported the previous December on the hybridisation by Gus Ebeling.

A FINE WHEAT CROP. (1913, December 18). The Maffra Spectator (Vic. : 1882 - 1920), p. 3. Retrieved August 18, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article67395126

In January 1914 there were favourable reports of the yield of this new hybrid.

DISTRICT NEWS. (1914, January 14). Maryborough and Dunolly Advertiser (Vic. : 1914 - 1918), p. 3. Retrieved August 18, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article90599327

A crop of Avoca wheat on Messrs. Zis Bros.' farm at Eriken. (1919, December 18). Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), p. 25. Retrieved August 18, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article37464859. This was a demonstration of a new reaper thresher machine: HARVESTING UP-TO-DATE. (1919, December 18). Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), p. 6. Retrieved August 18, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article37464765.

"Avoca" wheat was still being mentioned in 1922. (Wanderings in the Wheat Belt. (1922, November 19). Sunday Times (Perth, WA : 1902 - 1954), p. 11 Section: First Section. Retrieved August 18, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article58036678)