Jim Kennedy (businessman)

Jim Kennedy
AO CBE
Born(1934-04-08)8 April 1934
Died17 September 2021(2021-09-17) (aged 87)
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
OccupationBusinessman
Known forWork in the Australian business and tourism sectors

James Joseph Kennedy AO CBE (8 April 1934 – 17 September 2021) was an Australian businessman and chartered accountant who was best known for his extensive work in the Australian business and tourism sectors.[1][2]

Life and career

Throughout his career, Kennedy served on numerous company boards, including that of Qantas, the Commonwealth Bank, Suncorp, Santos Limited, Pacific Dunlop and GWA Group.[3][4] He was also the longest-serving director of the Australian Stock Exchange.[2]

Kennedy also conducted several government inquiries including the one that prompted the closure of Boggo Road Gaol.[2] After serving as a member of the Royal Commission of Enquiry into the Department of Post and Telegraph in 1973, Kennedy was appointed as the foundation chairman of the Australian Postal Commission in 1975.[4] He is also credited with helping establish the Queensland Investment Corporation.[2]

Throughout his lifetime, he owned several island resorts, including on Daydream Island, South Molle Island and Tangalooma.[4]

Kennedy died on 16 September 2021, at the age of 87.[5]

He was married with five children.[4]

Awards

Kennedy was a life member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia.[2]

In the 1982 Queen's Birthday Honours, Kennedy was made a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in recognition of his service to the community.[6]

He was subsequently made an Officer of the Order of Australia in the 1995 Australia Day Honours for his service to the business and tourism sectors.[7]

The Queensland University of Technology awarded Kennedy an honorary doctorate in 1995.[8]

In 2001, Kennedy received the Centenary Medal in recognition of his service to finance and business.[9]

Kennedy was named as a Queensland Great in 2006 and was inducted into the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame in 2009.[10][4]

References

  1. ^ "Queensland tourism is out of ideas, says Jim Kennedy of ailing industry". The Courier-Mail. 27 October 2010. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e Gleeson, Peter (17 September 2023). "Jim Kennedy: Qld mourning one of its 'most influential businessmen'". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  3. ^ Wisenthal, Stephen (25 August 2004). "Give boards a break: Jim Kennedy's parting shot". Australian Financial Review. Archived from the original on 12 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Business and tourism pioneer Jim Kennedy dies". In Queensland. 17 September 2021. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  5. ^ "KENNEDY, James (Jim) Joseph AO CBE". My Tributes. 18 September 2021. Retrieved 12 June 2023. Passed away peacefully 17/09/2021...privately cremated
  6. ^ "Award: 1064769". Australian Honours Search Facility. Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 12 June 1982. Archived from the original on 12 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023. For service to the community
  7. ^ "Award: 872942". Australian Honours Search Facility. Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 26 January 1995. Archived from the original on 12 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023. For service to business and tourism and to the community
  8. ^ "Honorary doctorates: 1995". Queensland University of Technology. Archived from the original on 23 March 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023. Dr Ruth Cracknell AM, Emeritus Professor Ralph Leonard Doherty AO, Sister Regis Mary Dunne AO RSM, Dr Gerald Edward Fitzgerald AC QC, Dr James Joseph Kenney AO CBE FCA, Dr Victor Pullar AO, Professor Brian Wilson AO
  9. ^ "Award: 1116859". Australian Honours Search Facility. Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 1 January 2001. Archived from the original on 12 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023. In recognition of service to finance and business
  10. ^ "2006 Recipients: Dr Jim Kennedy AO CBE". Queensland Greats Awards. Queensland Government. 2006. Archived from the original on 11 July 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2023.