Robert Ronald Birss
Job Description:
Oil Seperator, Foreman, Acting Manager
Period:
1949 to 1962
Robert Ronald Birss (nickname Jumbo) was born in Albany WA on the 12th May 1921. At the age of fourteen he went to work as a net fisherman with his father, the emphasis changing to Salmon fishing after the World War II.
His father George Robert Birss considered the possiblity of whaling prior to the war, and in the late 1940's, the Birss family together with their relatives the Westerberg family, pooled thier capital and formed the Cheynes Beach Whaling Company in 1949.
Ron worked at Frenchman Bay during all stages of the site preparation and establishing of the company's factory plant and moving onsite in 1952. With the commencment of whaling operations in June of 1952, he worked on the seperator under the Norwegian industrial chemist Chris Bolleroid, from whom he gained his skills and knowledge necessary for the all important process of "polishing" the oil. He continued in this field for ten years seeing the company's gradual move from Humpback to Sperm Whaling.
Ron became Foreman at the station in the mid 1950's, acting as Manager when required. He lived with his wife and family at the station until 1962 when he returned to Salmon fishing. Ron maintained his interest in the company of which he remained a shareholder. His father continued as a Director of the Cheynes Beach Whaling Company until his death in 1978.
Ron and his wife Mary now live in retirement at Emu Point Albany.
Robert Ronald Birss