John Elliott has been described as “larger-than-life” and “a very special person” as public figures pay tribute to the former president of the federal Liberal Party and the Carlton Football Club after his death.
Mr Elliott died in hospital aged 79 after a short illness following a fall.
The businessman was president of the federal Liberal Party from 1987 to 1990 and treasurer and vice-president of the Liberal Party in Victoria, as well as its federal treasurer.
He also served as the president of the Carlton football club from 1983 to 2002, presiding over two AFL premierships.
‘Unbelievable influence’ on Australian society
Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg described Mr Elliott as a proud Victorian who had a “huge impact on the corporate world and the sporting world”.
“He was a bit of a larrikin and a larger-than-life figure and he will be sorely and sadly missed,” he said.
Former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett told 3AW that Mr Elliott had an ability to bring people together.
“He was a larger-than-life individual, and he lived a very active life, particularly in the 80s and 90s, he was a doyen of industry,” he said.
AFL legend David Parkin, who coached Carlton while Mr Elliott was president, described Mr Elliott as a “unique person”.
“John probably publicly was seen as an autocrat but I had the privilege of working with him president to coach at Carlton for quite a period of time,” he said.
“I’d have to say that [he was] one of the more intelligent people I’ve met in my lifetime.
“Not easy to work with unless you could provide the argument on a sound basis, not so much to beat his argument, but to match the things he was saying.”
He said during his time at the Carlton Football Club, Mr Elliott was “the best lieutenant anyone could ever have”.
“It is a sad day, we hate losing leaders and John was an unbelievable influence on Australian society, whether it’s political, business or football through the Carlton Football Club,” he said.
“He was a unique and very special person.”
Source: AFL NEWS ABC
