Background
Riddoch was born at Turriff, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and he arrived in Victoria with his parents in 1851.
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George Riddoch
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He was educated at the Geelong Seminary.
Career
He helped run his Yallum and Katnook stations, near Penola and Weinteriga on the Darling River, New South Wales, which he purchased from Harrold Brothers around 1876. When the Riddoch brothers dissolved their partnership in 1898, George took the northern half, which he named "Koorine". John broke up his portion for closer settlement.
At his station, near Kalangadoo, 20 miles (32 km) north of Mount Gambier, George bred Merino sheep and Hereford cattle.
He later became the owner of the Nalang, Wirriga, and Cannawigra Stations near Tatiara. He was also involved in dairy farming and wheat growing.
At one stage he had some 8,000 acres (3,200 ha) under cultivation. In 1901 he was returned to the Legislative Council as a representative of the Southern District, and retired at the end of 1909.
He was recognised as an advocate and defender of primary producers.
He was a National Defence League member throughout his time in parliament. He was involved in a scheme to purchase Adam Lindsay Gordon"s cottage "Dingley Dell" for the nation, but failed when the property was sold privately. In 1908 he purchased, in London, Edwin Douglas"s oil painting Jersey Beauties, which he presented to the Art Gallery of South Australia
Riddoch married Ann Eliza Wilson (ca1841 – 3 March 1914) on 26 August 1873.
She was a daughter of the (Anglican) Review
James Yalverton Wilson, of Portland, Victoria. Their only daughter Adelaide Mary Riddoch (28 May 1874 – 3 January 1904) married (military) Captain George Frederick Napier on 15 March 1898.
George and Ann retired to "Corega", Mitcham. The Napiers took over "Koorine".
Membership
He was a member of the South Australian House of Assembly from 1893 to 1896, representing Victoria, and a member of the South Australian Legislative Council for Southern District from 1891 to 1910. He was an active member of the Mount Gambier Caledonian Society, and served a period as Chief. He was a member of the Royal Geographical Society of South Australia, and served a term as Vice-President.
He was a keen horseman, for a time owning several racehorses, and was a member of the local Hunt Club.
