Page 2042 - Week 06 - Tuesday, 21 June 2011
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He was that sort of man. His influence and affable spirit extended far beyond his immediate circle and into the lives of those who had not benefited from the booms that Jim had encountered. Yet he forever strived to share his good fortune with others far less fortunate than himself.
As a businessman, he built one of Canberra’s most prominent local firms from far from prosperous beginnings, starting his wine distribution business from a humble shed. From that base, he built a business that remains unrivalled in the local scene, and from that base he put himself in a position where he became far more than just a successful businessman; he became what can be genuinely called a pillar of the community.
He served on a number of boards in the capital. The most prominent of these would be the Canberra Raiders, a club he supported from beginnings as humble as his own. He saw them grow into the major competitors they are today. Raiders chairman, John McIntyre, is reported as saying, “His contribution to cancer support people and his contribution on the board of the Raiders has been magnificent over the last five or six years—probably not just Canberra, also Australia, because he was a quintessential Australian and a very generous, generous man.”
He is also famously generous in his support, as well as spirit, for many charitable funds, foundations and organisations. The stories of his generosity at charitable functions is nigh on legendry, as can be attested to both by the many tales of Jim stepping up with support at everything from charity events to support from the boards of charities. In fact, some organisations would not exist at all without Jim’s support. Peter Schwartz from Open Family that assists young people said, “Open Family really owes its existence in the ACT to Jim’s determination and enthusiasm towards trying to make things better for young people in Canberra.”
The tributes continued in the days after the sad news of Jim’s death became known. Former Liberal Chief Minister Kate Carnell said, “There was never anything impossible for Jim. He always believed that if he just got on with it, you could get things done. And he did.”
ACT and Region Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive, Chris Peters, said, “The city has lost a legend. Jim was a leader of the business community. He also became heavily involved in other areas, well known amongst many charities in Canberra, a very generous man who was a great support, and his first and longest love was his involvement in rugby league as a former player and, more recently, on the board of the Raiders.”
Even former business competitors have nothing but praise for Jim. Chris Shanahan wrote a glowing tribute to Jim, describing in detail how he not only survived the competitive world of wine selling but how he thrived from the late 70s through the 80s and on into the new century. His stores are still operating today when so many others have fallen by the wayside. He stated in his article:
I was there in the thick of it, watching Farmer Bros sales grow, even as Richard Farmer’s sales took off. This had to be at the expense of competitors, including
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