Biography
John Bruce Sedgman was born in Atherton, North Queensland, the son of a school teacher, and spent his youth in country centres in the South East of the State. He graduated in 1969 from the University of Queensland with the Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Geology.
During his professional career he worked in Indonesia, Western Australia and Queensland, and made a significant contribution to the knowledge of Queensland Coal Resources, their quality and processing capabilities.
John worked for TPM (Thiess Peabody Mitsui) during the exploration of the Nebo projects, the areas which now form the hugely successful Bowen Basin coal fields.
He worked closely with Arthur (Shorty) Le Page and the Australian Coal Industry Research Laboratories in the development of the bore core pre-treatment techniques that revolutionised coal seam exploration and coal preparation plant design.
This early work and experience as coal preparation plant superintendent at the then TDM Moura mine in the late ’70’s crystallised John’s focus on coal preparation plant design.
In 1979 he founded Sedgman and Associates Pty Ltd and in the ensuing years developed a the firm into a significant force in the Australian and South East Asian Coal Industries. On the 23 September, 1991 he passed away after long illness.
John was a great Australian and Queenslander and will long be remembered for his dynamic personality, his sharp business acument and his love for the challenge of new technology.
He is sadly missed by those who worked with him.
The Society recognises his significant contribution by the Queensland Branch awarding, annually, the John Sedgman Bursary, and also holding the annual John Sedgman Memorial Lecture in June or July each year in Central Queensland and Brisbane.