Dimensions
163 x 244 x 39mm
Urbane, charming and with a razor-sharp intellect, Ian Potter was a dominant figure in the Australian business world from the 1940s to the 1970s. As a financier and stockbroker his understanding of macroeconomic trends and his close relationships with both providers and users of capital enabled him to play a key role in modernising the Australian financial system. Potter also had a genuine love of the arts and made an important contribution to Australia's cultural development.
A founding member and later chairman of the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust, he was closely involved in the development of the Australian Opera, the Australian Ballet and the Melbourne Theatre Company. In 1964 he set up the Ian Potter Foundation to "give something back to Australia". The foundation, now Australia's largest philanthropic trust, has given many millions of dollars to support worthwhile projects in the fields of education, the arts, sciences, medicine and health.
There was always an air of mystery about Ian Potter. In a milieu dominated by old boys of Melbourne's leading private schools, his origins were unknown and he rarely spoke of his childhood or education. None of his colleagues (or even his wives) knew that he went to Cleveland Street Boys High School in the working class suburb of Redfern and left school at the age of 14. The element of mystery was reinforced by his reserved, almost shy, demeanour and his avoidance of publicity. His chaotic private life – with four marriages and many affairs – was a stark contrast to the measured control of his public persona.
