From a happy upbringing in country Queensland to having his hat shot off serving in World War II, Sir Vincent Fairfax knew his life was one blessed with good fortune.
And he knew his duty was to dedicate that life to helping those who had not enjoyed the same luck.
The late Sir Vincent, one of Australia's most celebrated philanthropists and business leaders, was yesterday inducted into the 2014 Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame.
Now in its sixth year, the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame is a joint initiative between QUT Business School, State Library of Queensland and the Queensland Library Foundation. It celebrates those organisations and individuals who have enhanced the state's reputation and economy.
Sir Vincent and five other Queensland business leaders from past and present were inducted into the Hall of Fame by Governor of Queensland Penelope Wensley during a black-tie gala event at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre last night (THURSDAY JULY 17).
A member of one of Australia's most famous families, Sir Vincent was the great grandson of John Fairfax, who sailed to the country in 1838 with £5 in his pocket and went on to establish what is now Fairfax Media.
Sir Vincent was born in 1909 on a property called Marinya at Cambooya, south west of Toowoomba, where he had a strict but enjoyable upbringing.
After studying law at Oxford, he joined the Sydney Morning Herald, working his way up to serve on the board of the publisher that bore the family name and playing a key role in the company's growth. Sir Vincent also held directorships at several large organisations including AMP, Stanbroke Pastoral Company and the Bank of New South Wales.
His career was briefly interrupted by World War II, and, though he was embarrassed at never having served on the front line, he had his hat shot off during a battle in Borneo.
In 1962, Sir Vincent achieved what he considered his greatest accomplishment in his working life - the establishment of the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation (VFFF). One of the largest philanthropic organisations in the country, the VFFF has given away more than $100 million to date, helping countless individuals and organisations.
A committed Christian, who had already previously backed numerous projects and organisations, Sir Vincent established four themes of giving for the foundation - education, agriculture, Christianity and community wellbeing.
Sir Vincent's son Tim Fairfax, the QUT Chancellor and philanthropist who has embraced his father's wish to continue the family's legacy of giving, said the family had philanthropy "served up with the porridge at breakfast".
"He believed that when someone is given so much, they have an obligation, or a duty, to give back to the community," he said.
"Sir Vincent certainly instilled that into, not only his children, but also his grandchildren."
Mr Fairfax said Sir Vincent, who died in 1993, would be "tickled pink" at being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
"My sense is he would think it a very great honour, he'd be chuffed," Mr Fairfax said.
"He was a very humble and peaceful person but he was also a leader, albeit a quiet one.
"The leadership legacy he wanted was that one can be ethical and still be a great leader."
QUT Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Little said Sir Vincent was proof business leaders could enjoy success without compromising their ethics.
"Sir Vincent was very ethical in all his deliberations. He was very diligent, he was very thoughtful and he had great humility, but he also had a great sense of purpose," Professor Little said.
"That sense of purpose was wonderfully illustrated with the establishment of the VFFF - a hugely significant commitment which continues to improve the lives of Queenslanders and Australians."
State Librarian Janette Wright said the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame was an important initiative in remembering, recognising and re-telling the stories of businesses and individuals who had played a vital role in the state's business landscape.
The Hall of Fame space resides within State Library of Queensland, while the digital story collection is available online at www.halloffame.slq.qld.gov.au
The full list of inductees into the 2014 Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame are:
•Sir Vincent Fairfax
•Sarah Jenyns (corset pioneer)
•John Williams (Brisbane's first businessman)
•Bank of Queensland
•RACQ
•Teys Australia
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Media contact:
Rob Kidd, QUT Media, 07 3138 1841, rj.kidd@qut.edu.au
After hours, Rose Trapnell, 0407 585 901
