Melbourne – Prominent Melbourne businessman and Australian football identity Richard Pratt has died at the age of 74, after being diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2005.
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Mr Pratt’s impression on Australia’s business world was unmistakable.
Under his management, cardboard company Visy Board went from a modest two-factory Melbourne operation to a global company with 110 sites in Australia, the United States, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand.
Late in life a cloud fell over his role with Visy when the company was fined $36 million for price fixing.
Mr Pratt was born in the Polish city of Gdansk in 1934 and came to Australia when his parents emigrated to the Victorian town of Shepparton in 1938.
They changed their name from Przecicki to Pratt upon arrival, and the family set about settling into their new Australian surrounds.
His father started the Visy family business, and was later educated at Grahamvale Primary School, Shepparton High and then University High School in Parkville, Melbourne.
Mr Pratt who spoke fluently Yiddish and was involved with many prominent orthodox rabbis, was a magnet of philanthropy and a strong supporter of Jewish causes, he was considered as one of the most powerful Jews in Australia.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd extended his sympathies on hearing of Mr Pratt’s death.
“This is a deeply sad night for the Pratt family, and Richard Pratt’s many friends across the business and philanthropic communities,” he said.
“Richard Pratt will be deeply missed by many Australians from all walks of life.
VIN News has learned that an Orthodox Levaya [funeral] will be held this Thursday at the Chevrah Kadisha of Melbourne where many Rabbi’s and dignitaries from Australia are expected to attend. PM Kevin Rudd is said to deliver an eulogy at the funeral.
Ki lo bmoso yeicach hakol,,,,
He was a gentleman, and a very generous person to Jewish and non causes.
If any Australian reads this news on VIN,,,can you please fill us in ..if he was a well known person in the jewish community
over there? And if he has children,,,following his foot steps…just curious
What exactly is a “football identity”? perhaps you meant “celebrity”?
Also it’s either “fluent Yiddish” or “spoke Yiddish fluently”.
“magnet for philantropy”doesn’t make any sense, perhaps you can call him a “magnanimous philantropist”.
do yourself a favor, hire a competent editor!
His 3 adult children from his jewish wife Jeanne are all married to jews and although not religious they are traditional and are members at orthodox shules. Pratt help many secular Jewish causes and donated alot to Israel. He did occassionally give Lubavitch money including one $1,000,000 and 3 years earlier $100,000. He was very close to the Lubavitch Rav, Rabbi Y.D. Groner Z”L and was the chairman at a Dinner in honour of Rabbi Groners 80th Birthday.
He did have an affair with a Sydney woman 11 years ago to which they had a child. His wife forgave him and together they donated 100’s of millions of dollars to charities Jewish as well as non Jewish. A Lubavitcher Rav from Sydney Rabbi LeviWolf (a friend) will bne conducted the funeral at an orthodox cemetry.
As an Aussie. I’ll fill you in. He was born in Poland and came to Oz just before the war. His family started a cardboard box business that he went into as an adult and took over the running in the 60’s. He thenm revolutionised the industry and implemented a nationwide recycling system that now grosses his company (Visy) with $3-4billion per annum. He was married and has 3 legitmate children and another daughter as well.
He has donated significant monies to Jewish and non-jewish orgs both here in OZ and around the world, just not Charedi/ frum/ relgious organisations. He is a social identity as his wife is highly regarded in the arts (museums / theatres etc…). Here in Oz there is a game called AFL (aussie Rules) http://www.afl.org.au that is uniquely Aussie. One of the foremost clubs (Carlton) that has a massive Jewish allegience has struggled recently and he has helped to get them back on their feet financially etc.. This is NOT so uncommon here in OZ. The Smorgon family do the same for Western Bulldogs and Yossel Gutnick did so for the Melbourne Football Club. In Melbourne, where AFL is the foremost relgion, he has become a football idenitity
May his soul rest in peace