Lifetime Achievement Award

2021 Winner

Rupert Murdoch AC KCSG

Rupert Murdoch is a true Australian pioneer who has transformed the world's media landscape. He first came here to the UK, to study at Oxford University. There he had his first media management role with Oxford Student Publications which published the University newspaper, Cherwell. At the age of 21, Rupert Murdoch inherited a chain of Australian newspapers following the death of his father in 1952. Fifteen years after taking over the family business and following a series of acquisitions, Murdoch had amassed a portfolio of newspapers worth more than $50million.

Today, Murdoch is one of the most influential people in the media industry, with business interests that span television broadcasting and entertainment content to newspapers and book publishing. The two empires that he built over the last six decades – News Corp and Fox Corporation – own well-established media properties that operate in five continents including The Sun, The Times and The Sunday Times.

2007 Winner

Maurice de Rohan AO, OBE

The Australia Day Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award will not be an annual award.

The inaugural Chairman of the Foundation Maurice de Rohan died on October 5, after his courageous battle with cancer. Maurice was the driving force and key organiser in establishing the Australia Day Foundation, and the Australia Day Awards in the UK. Agent General for South Australia from 1998 Maurice was active right to the end, and on October 4 he was presented with the Order of Australia in official recognition of his enormous achievement.

John Martin, a close friend and member of the Foundation, in his tribute at the funeral said: “Maurice was a truly outstanding South Australian who made an unparalleled contribution towards promoting the interests of Australia in the UK and to strengthening the important relationship between the two countries. Maurice was a great leader and diplomat and he will be greatly missed in the community.”

At the 2007 Gala Dinner, the Foundation intended to present Maurice with the Australia Day Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award. His son Jon accepted the award on his behalf.

Maurice de Rohan AO, OBE – a truly remarkable Australian.