Donald Trescowthick
Biography
Trescowthick was born on 4 December 1930.{{Cite web|url=http://www.theorderofaustralia.asn.au/quiet_australians/database/extra/extra589.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304032226/http://www.theorderofaustralia.asn.au/quiet_australians/database/extra/extra589.pdf|archive-date=4 March 2016|title=Curriculum vitae Donald Trescowthick}} His wife, Norma, predeceased him in March 2024. He died on 13 August 2024, at the age of 93.[https://www.thefa.com/news/2024/aug/13/charles-hughes-1933-2024-20241308 Former FA director of coaching Charles Hughes passes away at the age of 91]
Business activities
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Trescowthick was involved in several Australian business enterprises.
=Swann Insurance=
With Norman Swann, Trescowthick founded Swann Insurance, which grew to be a major general insurer. Prior to being sold to CGU Insurance, Swann Insurance was Australia's largest privately owned general insurer.
=Charles Davis Limited=
Trescowthick acquired Charles Davis Limited, a major Tasmanian company which had been established in 1847.
Charles Davis grew under Trescowthick's leadership to become at one time Australia's fourth largest retailer, and third largest department store operator.
The company was renamed Harris Scarfe Holdings Limited in 1995.
=Private business activities=
In addition to his involvement in Charles Davis Limited, Trescowthick was involved in several private ventures, including ownership of the Place Arcade in Toorak Village shopping centre in Melbourne Australia.
Community, sporting and charitable activities
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Trescowthick was involved in community, sporting and charitable activities during his business career.
In particular:
- He supported the Geelong Football Club, and at one time was their No. 1 ticketholder.{{Citation needed|date=February 2019}}
- He chaired Australian Olympic fundraising appeals.
- He supported the establishment of the Melbourne–Hobart yacht race.
- His support led to the establishment of the Sir Donald and Lady Trescowthick Centre for aged care in Prahran Victoria.Sir Donald and Lady Trescowthick Centre {{cite web|url=http://www.mecwacare.org.au/sir-donald-and-lady-trescowthick-centre/w1/i1001233/ |title=Sir Donald and Lady Trescowthick Centre|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130411224120/http://www.mecwacare.org.au/sir-donald-and-lady-trescowthick-centre/w1/i1001233/|publisher=mecwacare |archivedate=11 April 2013 }}
- He supported fundraising for construction of the tower for St Francis Xavier's Cathedral in Adelaide South Australia. (Harris Scarfe conducted fundraisers in its Rundle Mall department store).
Honours
Trescowthick was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1979{{Cite web|url=https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1082224|title=Donald Henry Trescowthick|website=honours.pmc.gov.au|access-date=2019-03-28}} and a Companion of the Order of Australia in 1991.{{Cite web|url=https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/873996|title=Sir Donald Henry Trescowthick, KBE|website=honours.pmc.gov.au|access-date=2019-03-28}} He was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1991 and received an Australian Sports Medal in 2000.{{cite web|url=https://sahof.org.au/hall-of-fame-member/donald-trescowthick/|title=Donald Trescowthick|publisher=Sport Australia Hall of Fame|accessdate=25 September 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/980795|title=TRESCOWTHICK, Donald Henry: Australian Sports Medal|publisher=It's an Honour|accessdate=23 December 2013}}
References
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Sources
- Harris Scarfe Holdings Limited 1995 Annual Report
- Harris Scarfe Holdings Limited 2000 Annual Report
External links
- [https://www.mecwacare.org.au/services/aged-care-homes/trescowthick-centre-prahran/ Trescowthick Centre website]
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Category:Australian businesspeople in retailing
Category:Companions of the Order of Australia
Category:Australian Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Category:Businesspeople awarded knighthoods
Category:Recipients of the Australian Sports Medal
Category:Sport Australia Hall of Fame inductees