James Balderstone

{{Short description|Australian businessman (1921–2014)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

Sir James Schofield Balderstone AC (2 May 1921{{spaced ndash}}15 October 2014) was a prominent Australian director of public companies.

Balderstone attended Scotch College, Melbourne.[http://www.scotch.vic.edu.au/Gscot/GSjun02/09port.htm 'OSCA presents portrait'], June 2002, Great Scot, scotch.vic.edu.au After leaving school he served in the Royal Australian Navy during World War II from 1940 to 1945. He was serving on HMAS Kanimbla in Sydney Harbour on the night that Japanese midget submarines attacked.[http://www.smh.com.au/business/mining-and-resources/big-names-farewell-former-bhp-chairman-sir-james-balderstone-20141024-11bdbx.html Big names farewell former BHP chairman Sir James Balderstone Sydney Morning Herald 25 October 2014 Retrieved 27 October 2014 After the war he embarked on a career in the rural sector and business.

His directorships and roles included:

• Chairman of BHP 1984–89, which included fending off a takeover by Robert Holmes à Court
• Chairman of AMP[http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/1801145 Biographical cuttings on Sir James Schofield Balderstone, former chairman of the AMP Society], NLA catalogue
• Chairman of Stanbroke Pastoral Company
• Chairman of Chase AMP Bank
• Chairman of the Council of Scotch College, Melbourne
• Deputy Chairman of Westpac[http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/2603618 Portrait of Sir James Balderstone, deputy chairman of Westpac, chairman of AMP], NLA catalogue
• Director of ICI Australia
• Director of Woodside Petroleum

He was knighted in 1983 for services to primary industry and commerce,[https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1083762 Knight Bachelor], 31 December 1982, itsanhonour.gov.au.
Citation: In recognition of service to primary industry and commerce. and was made a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in 1992.[https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/871230 Companion of the Order of Australia], 26 January 1992, itsanhonour.gov.au.
Citation: In recognition of service to primary industry and business and commerce.

He had an identical twin brother, Robert Balderstone CMG MC (1921-2012), a councillor of the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria for 41 years and president for six, from 1976.Damien Murphy, "Modest hero carried flag for the land". [http://www.smh.com.au/comment/obituaries/modest-hero-carried-flag-for-the-land-20120624-20wb3.html Sydney Morning Herald, 25 June 2012]. Retrieved 18 October 2014

Sir James Balderstone died on 15 October 2014, aged 93.[http://tributes.smh.com.au/obituaries/smh-au/obituary.aspx?n=james-balderstone&pid=172843228 Sydney Morning Herald, Tributes and Celebrations]. Retrieved 18 October 2014 His final 13 years were marred by the effects of a stroke which hampered his speech.