James Strong (Australian businessman) facts for kids

James Alexander Strong (31 July 1944 – 3 March 2013) was a well-known Australian businessman and someone who gave a lot to charity. He was famous for leading big companies and supporting the arts and sports.

Early Life and Education

James Strong was born in Lismore, New South Wales. He went to high school in Lismore and Tenterfield. When he was 16, he was chosen from many people to train as an officer at the Royal Military College, Duntroon. This is a special school for people who want to become leaders in the army.

However, James realized that military life was not for him. He left Duntroon and went to university instead. He studied at the University of Queensland and the University of Sydney. After his studies, he became a barrister in 1976. A barrister is a type of lawyer who argues cases in court.

His Business Journey

James Strong started his business career in 1981 at a mining company called Nabalco. By 1983, he was an important executive at the Australian Mining Council.

Leading Airlines and Companies

From 1986 to 1989, James was the CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of Australian Airlines. A CEO is the top boss of a company. During this time, he became known for wearing a distinctive bow tie.

In 1991, he became the national chairman for a law firm called Corrs Chambers Westgarth. The next year, he became the managing director of the DB Breweries Group in New Zealand.

His biggest role was as the chief executive and managing director of Qantas from 1993 to 2001. This was an important time for Qantas because it merged with his old airline, Australian Airlines. Even after he left as CEO, he later joined the Qantas board again.

James Strong also held important positions at other well-known Australian companies, including Woolworths Limited, Rip Curl, IAG, and Kathmandu.

Supporting Arts and Sports

Beyond business, James Strong was very involved in supporting arts and culture. From 2006 to 2012, he was the chairman of the Australia Council for the Arts. This is a main government agency that supports Australian artists and arts organizations.

He also led several other arts groups, such as the Sydney Theatre Company, the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, the Australia Business Arts Foundation, and the State Library of Victoria. He even helped review how funding was given to the orchestra for Opera Australia.

James Strong also loved sports and helped manage many sports organizations. He was a director for Dorna Sports, which organizes MotoGP motorcycle racing. He was also part of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation. At the time of his death, he was the chairman of V8 Supercars and helped organize the 2015 Cricket World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Awards and Recognition

In 2001, James Strong received the Centenary Medal. This award recognizes people who have made a significant contribution to Australian society.

In 2006, he was given another high honor: he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia. This award recognized his great service to business, especially in aviation (airlines), insurance, and retail. It also honored his work as a leader and supporter of the arts.

Personal Life

James Strong had two sons, Nicholas and Samuel.

He passed away on 3 March 2013, at Mater Hospital in North Sydney. He had been dealing with a lung illness for some time and had complications after surgery.