Politicians, sports and media executives farewell advertising guru Harold Mitchell
Politicians, media and sporting executives were among hundreds who gathered in Melbourne to farewell Harold Mitchell as one of the nation’s most successful advertising executives.
Advertising guru and philanthropist Harold Mitchell has been farewelled by hundreds of people including politicians, sporting and media executives at a state memorial service in Melbourne on Monday.
The service was held at Hamer Hall on what would have been Mr Mitchell’s 82nd birthday – he died on February 10 after complications following knee surgery.
Among those to attend the two-hour service included Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, Deputy Premier Ben Carroll and former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews and his wife Catherine.
Other former state premiers in the crowd included Steve Bracks, who read a tribute to his friend, and Jeff Kennett, who was accompanied by his wife Felicity.
Billionaire businessman Lindsay Fox, Lord Mayor Sally Capp and Deputy Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece, former Collingwood president and Footy Classified host Eddie McGuire, former Carlton president Mark LoGuicide, charity and businesswoman Ann Peacock, Liberal MP Keith Wolahan, Seven West Media chief revenue officer Kurt Burnette and underworld figure Mick Gatto also attended.
Mr Mitchell’s close friends and businessmen Allen Scash and Nick Swifte were among those to speak fondly of their friend at the service.
The two-hour service was emceed by ABC TV presenter Virginia Trioli who told about how Mr Mitchell was a regular guest when she hosted the Melbourne station’s drive program and they became good friends.
Carlton coach Michael Voss said in a video tribute: “Harold’s dedication to the Carlton Football Club community was not just as a kind-hearted philanthropist – his keen interest in our teams and people and our community programs demonstrated a deeply caring individual with a genuine enduring love for the club.”
Attendees arriving at the State Memorial Service for businessman Harold Mitchell in Melbourne, @australian. pic.twitter.com/dbh6Q0gvce
— Sophie Elsworth (@sophieelsworth) May 13, 2024
Seven West chairman Kerry Stokes described Mr Mitchell as a “force of nature.”
“Harold’s autobiography is called Living Large, it sums up the business and philanthropic dimensions of his life,” he said in a video tribute.
“A journey that took him from his father’s sawmill camp in north-eastern Victoria to the boardrooms of our most important media and artistic institutions.
“We are poorer today not having a man like Harold in our world.”
Mr Stokes also spoke of his concern for Mr Mitchell’s weight which he said his friend later “turned his mind to” and went from 165kg to 90kg.
His son, Stuart, said his late father had two great ambitions: “A better life for his family and a better life for the people around the world.
“Yes he was complex, he lived large just like his book said, he was also uncompromising, impatient, rude” and “humorous and quick witted.”
He said despite all his father’s successes he endured some difficult times too, particularly following the 1987 stock market crash.
The Melbourne-based businessman, philanthropist and media commentator was the son of sawmiller in Stawell, in Victoria’s Wimmera region, and he never finished his high school education.
He founded Mitchell & Partners in 1976 and then watched it flourish to become one of Australia’s biggest media and communications entities.
The firm operated throughout Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific and then in 2010 Mr Mitchell sold it to Britain’s Aegis Group for $363 million.
Mr Mitchell split from his wife of 50 years, Bevelly, in 2010 and is survived by Stuart and his daughter Amanda.
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