TonyK
CibbuanoPratt loses battle with cancer
April 28th 2009 10:34
FORMER Carlton president Richard Pratt has died at his Melbourne mansion Raheen after his long battle with prostate cancer.
It is believed that his wife Jeanne and other family members were by his side.
The 74-year-old who was the chairman of the Visy group of companies was worth an estimated $2.3 billion.
Pratt was appointed Carlton president in 2007 and turned the club's off-field fortunes around and played a key role in luring former West Coast skipper Chris Judd to the Blues.
He stepped aside from the Carlton presidency after being charged with giving false or misleading evidence to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission in 2005 over allegations of price fixing in the packaging industry.
During their last hours together, Mrs Pratt was able to tell her husband that criminal charges against him had been dropped.
Carlton president Stephen Kernahan paid tribute to Pratt.
"It's a very sad day for the Carlton Football Club family. Dick Pratt was the man who saved Carlton. There's no doubt about it," Kernahan said.
"He made things happen at this Club – giving inspiration, leadership and above all else – belief."
"He's as true a Carlton bloke as you will get and what he did for our club in its time of need, when he had other important things in his life and didn't have to do it, showed his love for Carlton."
AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said Pratt had made an enormous contribution to the game and the wider community.
"Mr Pratt played a pivotal role in forming and bringing out the Peace Team last year to play in the AFL International Cup. This team brought together Palestinians and Israelis on the sporting field for the first time -- a monumental achievement," he said.
"Mr Pratt played a pivotal role in the rebirth and reinvigoration of the Carlton Football Club over the last few years, after the club had fallen into financial trouble, and it is now once again in a strong position as one of our game’s leaders."
"On the wider front, he has been a creator of jobs and generous benefactor for so many charities and public works. He will be sadly missed."
Pratt's family is expected to be offered a state-sponsored memorial service.
It is believed that his wife Jeanne and other family members were by his side.
The 74-year-old who was the chairman of the Visy group of companies was worth an estimated $2.3 billion.
Pratt was appointed Carlton president in 2007 and turned the club's off-field fortunes around and played a key role in luring former West Coast skipper Chris Judd to the Blues.
He stepped aside from the Carlton presidency after being charged with giving false or misleading evidence to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission in 2005 over allegations of price fixing in the packaging industry.
During their last hours together, Mrs Pratt was able to tell her husband that criminal charges against him had been dropped.
Carlton president Stephen Kernahan paid tribute to Pratt.
"It's a very sad day for the Carlton Football Club family. Dick Pratt was the man who saved Carlton. There's no doubt about it," Kernahan said.
"He made things happen at this Club – giving inspiration, leadership and above all else – belief."
"He's as true a Carlton bloke as you will get and what he did for our club in its time of need, when he had other important things in his life and didn't have to do it, showed his love for Carlton."
AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said Pratt had made an enormous contribution to the game and the wider community.
"Mr Pratt played a pivotal role in forming and bringing out the Peace Team last year to play in the AFL International Cup. This team brought together Palestinians and Israelis on the sporting field for the first time -- a monumental achievement," he said.
"Mr Pratt played a pivotal role in the rebirth and reinvigoration of the Carlton Football Club over the last few years, after the club had fallen into financial trouble, and it is now once again in a strong position as one of our game’s leaders."
"On the wider front, he has been a creator of jobs and generous benefactor for so many charities and public works. He will be sadly missed."
Pratt's family is expected to be offered a state-sponsored memorial service.
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Comment by Elizabeth2-7
A shadow of herself
Sad for Mr Pratt's family and friends. RIP.