Harold Mitchell funeral: Big names farewell legendary Australian advertising executive at state memorial
Australia’s biggest names in business and politics have paid tribute to famed advertising executive Harold Mitchell at his state funeral.
Hundreds gathered at Hamer Hall on Monday to farewell Mr Mitchell, three months after his death aged 81.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan was joined by her predecessor Daniel Andrews along with Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and former premier Steve Bracks.
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Billionaire trucking magnate Lindsay Fox and underworld figure Mick Gatto were also among guests, along with ABC presenter Virginia Trioli who was emcee.
Media scion Kerry Stokes led the tributes to Mr Mitchell, who he was close friends with for 45 years, in a lengthy video message.
“Relentless, tough, curious, generous, a visionary, a powerhouse. Harold was all of these things,” Mr Stokes said.
“To me he was a business associate, a board colleague and a great friend - a valued friend for decades. So far back, I can’t remember when we first met.”
Mr Stokes went on to detail how his friend kept a deep enthusiasm until their final correspondence - a Christmas card sent in December.
Mr Mitchell wrote: “’I’m in good spirits and optimistic about life heading into my 82nd year. There’s plenty to do’.”
“Well Harold, there was plenty to do, there still is. And we’re poorer today for not having a man like Harold in our world,” Mr Stokes said.
“A great loss to Australia and to me personally.”
Ms Allan said Mr Mitchell was a “larger than life” Victorian who grew up the son of a sawmiller in rural Stawell before leaving school early.
“Above all, Harold Mitchell was a country kid who made it big,” she said.
“He went from those small sawmills in Stawell to some of the biggest boardrooms and businesses in Australia.
“And along that journey, he made a remarkable imprint on our state and our country.”
Mr Mitchell’s son Stuart also spoke and paid tribute to his father’s philanthropic endeavours even in times of financial difficulties.
“For all of you who have benefited from the famous generosity, my father has been giving away millions of dollars to people and causes because you see someone believed in him while he was in big debt,” he said in reference to Mr Stokes.
Mr Mitchell was recuperating from knee replacement surgery when he died on February 10.
He founded Mitchell & Partners in Melbourne in 1976 and grew it into Australia’s largest media buying agency before it was sold to British company Aegis in 2010.
Mr Mitchell was made a companion of the Order of Australia for his leadership and philanthropy in the arts, health, education and humanitarian support for Timor-Leste and Indigenous communities that same year.
He was a national finalist for Australian of the Year in 2013.
