David Michael Gonski, BComm, LLB, AC, (born 7 October 1953) is an Australian public figure and businessman. The Sydney Morning Herald has described him as "one of the country's best-connected businessmen" and dubbed him "Mr Networks" for being "arguably Sydney's most networked man".[1]
David Gonski was born in 1953 in Cape Town, South Africa. His family migrated to Australia in 1961. He attended Sydney Grammar School and graduated with the degrees of Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws (with the University Medal) from the University of New South Wales. He practised as a solicitor with the firm of Freehills from 1977 to 1986, becoming their youngest ever partner at age 25, before leaving to co-found an investment bank. While at Freehills, he taught Intellectual Property for the Faculty of Law at the University of New South Wales. Law Theatre G02 is named the Conski Levi Theatre in his honour.
Current positions held include:
Business:
Other:
Previous positions held include:
Gonski was appointed as a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in 2007.[5] In 2002 Gonski had been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for service to the community through Australian visual and performing arts organisations, through the development of government policy, and through the promotion of corporate sponsorship for the arts and for charitable organisations.[6] He received the Centenary Medal in 2003.
Gonski was a close friend and advisor to the late media baron Kerry Packer. Together with Lloyd Williams he is executor of Packer's estate. While he provided advice to Packer, Gonski was also a director of the Packer's media competitor Fairfax.[7] He is close friends with Arthur Boyd and Frank Lowy and his mentor is the late Kim Santow.
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