Ron Walker
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Ronald Joseph Walker AC CBE (born September, 1939) is an Australian businessman renowned in Melbourne for his work in managing sporting events.
History
Walker attended Caulfield Grammar School,Where he was universally and affectionately known as "blood nut" because of the strong red colour of his hair. and served as the Lord Mayor of Melbourne from 1974 to 1976. He became a prominent Liberal Party figure, working as national treasurer of the party - an honorary position - from 1987 to 2002.In 1988 he was appointed as a commissioner for Melbourne's 1996 Olympics bid to host the Games. His relationship with former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett - a Liberal Party politician - helped him to become the Chairman of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, after Walker helped deliver Melbourne the hosting rights for the event from Adelaide in 1993. However, it was Labor Premier Joan Kirner - Kennett's immediate predecessor - who appointed Walker as chairman of the Melbourne Major Events Company, the body which managed both the bids for the Grand Prix and the 2006 Commonwealth Games. Walker is currently the Chairman of Melbourne 2006, the organising body for the Games.
During his business career he has held large stakes in companies such as People Telecom, Prime Life and Buka Minerals.
In 1976 he held a partnership with another Melbourne businessman, Lloyd Williams. The pair formed a property development company called Hudson Conway, which developed the Crown Casino complex in Melbourne and was the casino's first operator. In 2000, Mr Walker resigned from Hudson Conway, netting approximately $86 million from the sale of his shares.
His interests include a collection of classic cars and property.
He also serves as Chairman of St Vincent’s Hospital Microsurgery Foundation, John Fairfax Holdings, a media company which publishes both Melbourne' The Age and Sydney's Sydney Morning Herald newspaper.
Awards
In 1977 Walker was named as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, and in 1987 was named as an Officer of the Order of Australia. He was made a Companion of the Order of Australia on Australia Day, 2003 "for service to business, the arts and the community, and to raising the profile of Australia internationally with significant benefit for tourism and employment."Australian Honours (2006). [WALKER, Ronald Joseph]. Retrieved June 12, 2006.He was named as Victoria's Outstanding Man of the Year in 1975 during his term as Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Victorian Father of the Year in 1976, and Victorian of the Year in 1994.
References
External link
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