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   » » Wiki: Frank Packer
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Sir Douglas Frank Hewson Packer (3 December 19061 May 1974), was an Australian who controlled Australian Consolidated Press and the . He was a patriarch of the .


Early life
Frank Packer was born in Kings Cross, in the eastern suburbs of Sydney, New South Wales. His parents were Ethel Maude Packer (née Hewison; 1878–1947) and Robert Clyde Packer (1879–1934), who started the family's association with the media as a journalist in New South Wales. His father, R. C. Packer, became editor of The Sunday Times and was a founder of Smith's Weekly and the Daily Guardian, which was published by Smith's Newspapers Ltd.
(2025). 9780195540246, Oxford University Press.

"A mischievous youngster and a poor student", Packer frequently switched schools, attending Turramurra College, Abbotsholme College, Wahroonga Grammar School, and Sydney Church of England Grammar School at various times. He did not sit for the Intermediate Certificate. Packer, Sir Douglas Frank (1906–1974), Australian Dictionary of Biography, Vol. 15, 2000.


Career
In 1923, Packer became a cadet journalist on his father's paper, the Daily Guardian. Four years later, he was a director of the company. In 1933, Packer started the Australian Women's Weekly and then transformed The Daily Telegraph into one of Australia's leading newspapers.

Packer inherited his media interests on his father's death in 1934. In 1936, he joined with 's Sydney Newspapers and Associated Newspapers to form Australian Consolidated Press.

(2025). 019551050X, Oxford University Press. 019551050X
He was chairman of ACP from 1936 until 1974.

When television was introduced to Australia in 1956, Packer, along with the other major newspaper publishers (, the Herald & Weekly Times and ), became a significant television network shareholder under the federal government's "dual formula", which allowed each capital city to have two commercial networks and one ABC. He launched the first Australian station to broadcast a regular schedule, in Sydney, which became the nucleus of the .

The Packer media empire was known for its conservative leanings, and was a strong backer of long-serving Prime Minister .

Packer was a keen yachtsman, boxer, golfer and polo player. He was on the Australian Jockey Club's committee for 12 years and won the with his horse Columnist. He was also chairman of a syndicate that built the yachts Gretel and to challenge for the America's Cup in 1962 and 1970.Gretel 1962: the hands-on challenge Afloat issue 423 July 2025 pages 34-38 Naming of Gretel II Australian Women's Weekly 29 April 1970 page 11

In 1972, Sir Frank Packer sold his newspaper flagship, The Daily Telegraph, to .

In 1992, journalist told the House of Representatives Select Committee on the Print Media that Frank Packer had exerted undue newsroom influence. "Sir Frank was knee-deep in the editorial policy of the Telegraph", Walsh said.House of Representatives Select Committee on the Print Media 1992, News and Fair Facts: The Australian Print Media Industry, Report, AGPS, Canberra, p. 263


Family life
Frank Packer was married to Gretel Joyce Bullmore (1907–1960) on 24 July 1934 at All Saints Anglican Church, . He had two sons, and , with his first wife, Gretel. Gretel Packer died in 1960.

Packer married for the second time in June 1964 to Florence Adeline Vincent (née Porges) in London. She died in 2012.


Death
On 1 May 1974, Packer died of heart failure at The Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown of " and reticulum cell ". He was cremated at Northern Suburbs Crematorium and his ashes were interred within the Packer family mausoleum at South Head Cemetery.

His estate was valued for probate in 1975 at $2,393,703.11 which, adjusted for inflation, would account to $23,232,745.54 in 2023. Notable items declared in his estate, were paintings and sketches from some of Australia's most renowned artists, located at the family home, 'Cairnton' at Bellevue Hill was:

:

  • " Wattle Tree, signed and dated 1912" (oil on canvas)

:

  • " Feeding the Ducks, signed"
  • " Seated Woman with White Shawl, signed" (oil on canvas)

Sir :

  • "Sketch of Churchill's Hand giving the sign, signed"
  • " The Artist's Garden at Wangi, signed" (ink on paper)
  • " The Artist's Garden and Balcony overlooking the at Wangi, signed"
  • " Woman in a Hamburger, signed and dated 1944" (oil on board)
  • " Portrait of Helena Rubenstein, signed and dated 1959" (oil on board)
  • " Boy in a white Lap Lap, signed and dated 1952" (oil on board)

Sir :

  • " The Hangar" (watercolour and ink on pencil)
  • " Men and Bird - Bass Straight, signed" (oil on canvas)

Robin Hill:

  • " Grey Goshawke, signed, titled and dated 1958" (water colour)

:

  • " Cow bogged in a Swamp, signed and dated 1960"

Albert Tucker:

  • " The Card Game, signed and dated 1958" (oil on board)


Honours
Frank Packer was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the King's Birthday Honours of 1951. It's an Honour: CBE

He was in the Queen's Birthday Honours of 1959, for services to journalism and the newspaper industry. It's an Honour: Knight Bachelor

In the New Year's Honours of 1971 Sir Frank Packer was promoted within the Order of the British Empire to Knight Commander (KBE), for services to Australian and international yachting. It's an Honour: KBE

Since 1980 the Frank Packer Plate has been conducted at Randwick Racecourse.

He was inducted into the America's Cup Hall of Fame in 1999.


Portrayal in media
In the 1984 television miniseries Bodyline, Packer, as employer of , released him from a writing contract so he could play in the 1932–1933 Ashes; he was portrayed by Brian McDermott.

In the 1988 television miniseries The True Believers, Packer was portrayed by Australian actor .

In the 2007 television biopic The King about comedian , Packer was portrayed by Australian actor Leo Taylor.

In the 2011 television miniseries , Packer was portrayed by Australian actor .

In the 2013 television miniseries , Packer was played by Australian actor , who had previously portrayed Kerry Packer in Howzat! Kerry Packer's War the previous year.


Further reading
  • (1971). 9780304939978, Cassell Australia.
  • (2025). 9780732264222, Harper Collins.
  • Griffen-Foley, Bridget (2014). Sir Frank Packer: a biography. Sydney University Press. .

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