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'''Ronald Joseph Walker''' [[Order of Australia|AC]] [[Order of the British Empire|CBE]] (born September, [[1939]]) is an [[Australia]]n businessman renowned in [[Melbourne]] for his work in managing sporting events. |
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==History== |
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Walker attended [[Caulfield Grammar School]], and served as the [[List of Mayors and Lord Mayors of Melbourne|Lord Mayor of Melbourne]] from 1974 to 1976. He became a prominent [[Liberal Party of Australia|Liberal Party]] figure, working as national treasurer of the party - an honorary position - from 1987 to 2002. |
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In 1988 he was appointed as a commissioner for Melbourne's [[1996 Summer Olympic Bids|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 [[Australian Labor Party|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. |
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During his business career he has held large stakes in companies such as People Telecom, Primelife and Buka Minerals. |
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In 1976 he held a partnership with another Melbourne businessman, [[Lloyd Williams (Australian)|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. |
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His interests include a collection of classic cars and property. |
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He also serves as Chairman of St Vincent’s Hospital Microsurgery Foundation and [[John Fairfax Holdings]], a media company which publishes both Melbourne' ''[[The Age]]'' and [[Sydney]]'s ''[[Sydney Morning Herald]]'' newspaper. |
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==Awards== |
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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."<ref>Australian Honours (2006). [http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=1042115&search_type=simple&showInd=true WALKER, Ronald Joseph]. Retrieved June 12, 2006.</ref> |
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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. |
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==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
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*{{cite news | last=Carney | first=Shaun | title=What makes Ron run? | date=11 Mar 2006 | publisher=The Age | url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/what-makes-ron-run/2006/03/10/1141701695877.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap2}} |
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==External links== |
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*[http://www.melbourne2006.com.au/?s=organisation&memberid=1 Melbourne 2006 biography] |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Walker, Ron}} |
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[[Category:1939 births]] |
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[[Category:Australian businesspeople]] |
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[[Category:Caulfield Grammarians]] |
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[[Category:Commanders of the Order of the British Empire]] |
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[[Category:Companions of the Order of Australia]] |
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[[Category:Living people]] |
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[[Category:Mayors and Lord Mayors of Melbourne]] |
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[[Category:People from Melbourne]] |