The question on everyone’s lips as they arrived for the Unicorn Club luncheon was how did we get such a high flier as Harold Mitchell AC, (Charles Macek, former Patron in chief of the Green Maroon and Black, held the answer). A full house at the club enjoyed a superb lunch and then heard a brilliant exposition from this rags to riches business tycoon. It was soon revealed he was Stawell High School’s answer to Lindsay Fox – like Lindsay he left school early, he was inspired by his principal, and he learned the importance of key values in life. Harold, as he insisted we all call him, related his life story from an office boy at a radio station, to an advertising and media multi-millionaire. He also gave a vision of a great future for Australia provided we have the belief in ourselves and the determination. Never accepting ‘No’ for an answer Harold was happy to confront the President of Indonesia over the cessation of life animal exports to Indonesia when the Australian Government dithered. While the 19th century was Britain and Europe’s, the 20th century belonged to the USA. He saw the 21st century as belonging to Asia, and Australia well placed to be part of a great surge of economic prosperity so long as we recognised the opportunity.

Harold’s community involvement is enormous and by his own omission, he hates being on a committee but as chairman makes sure the meetings run well and were short – so he is almost chairman of everything he is on.

Recently celebrating his 70th birthday and with a grand party (ala Lindsay Fox), he is similarly a great philanthropist. He is chairman of the Mitchell Communication Group, Chairman of CARE Australia, Chairman of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, involved on the board of Tennis Australia, the Australian Opera, Council of the National Gallery of Australia, and also chairman of the Melbourne Rebels Rugby Union team – to name a few of his involvements.

It was a grand lunch and quite special. However, the regulars find that every lunch is good value – fascinating speakers and a pleasant meal (the wines may be a bit gentle), and great fun to be had by all, so if you have not been, try and get to one.