Samuel praises team effort for achievements
ONE person may receive the award, but as far as Graeme Samuel is concerned being honoured as a Companion of the Order of Australia is a tribute to all the people he's worked with over the years.
ONE person may receive the award, but as far as Graeme Samuel is concerned being honoured as a Companion of the Order of Australia is a tribute to all the people he’s worked with over the years.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chairman said: “Over the past 25 years, I’ve worked with many organisations, and literally hundreds of colleagues … they’re made up of groups of people who are truly dedicated to what they’re doing for others, particularly for their fellow Australians.
“It’s been a great privilege to work with them, and I have to say, that without their seemingly inexhaustible dedication and commitment, I wouldn’t be where I was today,” he told The AJN.
Asked to name his favourite achievement, Samuel would only say that several milestones in his public life fitted that category, and all of them were team efforts – building up the Australian Football League, as its commissioner for 19 years, introducing more competition into the Australian economy through his six-year presidency of the National Competition Council, and in the arts, bringing Opera Australia into a substantial surplus, as its chairman from 1995-2000, to name some.
In the Jewish community, Samuel was instrumental in attracting larger donors to the Jewish National Fund, while he was president in 2002-03.
The father of four and grandfather of five paid tribute to his family for their support. “I’m indebted to my family, who more than anyone, understands the demands of public office, long hours and frequent absences.”
TO READ THE FULL HONOURS STORY CLICK HERE
PETER KOHN
PHOTO: Graeme Samuel has been awarded a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC). Photo: AJN.
comments