Tony Beddison attended Caulfield Grammar School from 1960 to 1966. He commenced as a boarder and was later a member of the Kurrle House when it was established in 1966. He was Kurrle House Secretary in 1966 and passed the Matriculation at the end of the year, gaining second class honours in geography.
Conscription
Tony was conscripted after leaving school and served in the Australian Army from 1969 to 1972, reaching the rank of Lieutenant.
Following his time in the army, he began a successful business career, building up the largest privately-owned workforce solutions group in Australia. He also established a variety of other companies under the Beddison Group umbrella. These businesses were sold in 2017.
Royal Children’s Hospital
Tony Beddison supported many charitable organisations, including being Chair of the Royal Children’s Hospital from 2004 to 2013. During this time he oversaw the hospital’s move to its new site in Flemington Road. He accompanied Queen Elizabeth II on a tour of the new hospital at its official opening in 2011. He was also a Director of the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation, which raises funds for the hospital, from 2004 to 2012, and a Director of the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute from 2004 to 2013.
Veterans’ Causes
Another major community commitment for Tony was working for veterans’ causes. He was Chair of Australia Remembers (Victoria) – a commemoration of 50 years since the end of World War II – in 1994 and 1995. Later, he was a Council Member of the Australian War Memorial from 1995 to 2000 and a Director of the Australian War Memorial ANZAC Foundation from 2003 to 2013.
The Prince’s Charities Australia
Most recently, Tony was Chair of The Prince’s Charities Australia (now The Prince’s Trust Australia) from 2013 to 2016 and Founding Chair of its Board of Trustees. He worked tirelessly to establish the Trust and honour the vision of The Prince of Wales to influence positively communities in Australia.
Moonee Valley Racing Club
Tony was Chair of the FINA World Swimming Championships Corporation from 2005 to 2007, the championships being staged in a temporary pool constructed in the Rod Laver Arena at Melbourne Park in 2007. His interest in horses and horse-racing led to him being a Committee Member of the Moonee Valley Racing Club from 1997 to 2009. He was subsequently awarded Life Membership of the Club.
Officer of the Order of Australia
Appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2002, Tony was appointed a Companion in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AC) in 2016 “for eminent service to the community through leading roles with national and international charitable organisations, as an advote for corporate and social responsibility, philanthropy and business innovation, to children’s health, and to business”.
Sadly Tony Beddsion passed away on 14th January 2020. His funeral service was held at St John’s Anglican Church in Toorak in early February. Tony’s passing represents a significant loss to the community he so readily served.
Read about our other Golden Alumni who are involved in philanthropy such as Dennis Hyland.
Photo courtesy of Caulfield Grammar School Archives.
