Browse > Home / News / Premier leads tributes to Allan Scott

Premier leads tributes to Allan Scott

Posted on October 28, 2008, 1:01pm and updated on October 29, 2008 at 11:18 am

Premier Mike Rann and Opposition leader Martin Hamilton-Smith have led tributes to leading South Australian business identity Allan Scott, who passed away on Tuesday morning, aged 85.

Mr Scott was known for his outspoken political views and his unwavering commitment to the development of Mount Gambier and South Australia.

He was respected across the political spectrum.

Sporting, business and civic leaders joined politicians in praising Mr Scott’s contribution to the community and industry.

TRIBUTES

Mike Rann, Premier of South Australia

I’d just like to convey my heartfelt condolences on behalf of the Government, and I’m sure all South Australians, on the passing of Allan Scott, to his wife Grace and his family.

Allan Scott’s story is an extraordinary one. He started with one truck, and built a massive trucking empire across Australian and in New Zealand.

He was one of our leading business magnates.

He was also someone whose generosity knew no bounds, both in terms of massive support for charities over many, many years, and also particularly known for his enormous support of sport – sport at the local level in Mount Gambier in the South East as well as being the biggest sponsor of the Port Adelaide Football Club.

Allan Scott was also one of the great sponsors and participants in horse racing not only here in South Australia, but nation-wide.

He was a major employer in the City of Mount Gambier and in the South East of our state. He is someone who has been synonymous with the growth of the South-East.

I first met Allan when I worked for Don Dunstan. He was a very close friend of the then Deputy-Premier and future Premier Des Corcoran, and so I had a lot of associations with Allan over many years, although particularly through the Port Adelaide Football Club.

Allan will be mourned by many.

He’s someone who was known for his outspoken views but also known for his unbounded generosity.

Allan Scott will be missed.

Martin Hamilton-Smith, Leader of the SA Liberal Party

I am deeply saddened at the loss of Allan Scott, a passionate South Australian, businessman, World War II veteran and philanthropist.

Over more than 50 years, Mr Scott has contributed to the prosperity of this state from his home in the South East.

His loss will be keenly felt in Mount Gambier along with the wider community.

Mr Scott was a respected businessman and strong supporter of the Liberal Party.

He had a gift for being able to mix freely with people from all walks of life.

Mr Scott was a forthright individual who believed in telling it straight.

Our thoughts are with Mr Scott’s wife and family.

I am deeply saddened to learn that Allan Scott has passed away.

Senator Nick Minchin, Liberal Senator for South Australia

As the senior Federal Liberal Member of Parliament in South Australia, I convey my sincere condolences to Mr Scott’s family.

I record my recognition and appreciation of the enormous contribution Allan Scott made to South Australia and the nation.

He was an extremely successful businessman who built great businesses from Mount Gambier and created jobs for probably thousands of South Australians.

He was a passionate supporter of his favourite causes, especially the Port Adelaide Football Club which was a significant beneficiary of his generosity.

Indeed the last time I was with Allan, was at the Port Adelaide grand final dinner in Melbourne last year.

Allan was a truly great Australian of whom all South Australians should be proud.

Rory McEwen, Member for Mount Gambier

Allan Scott will be remembered as one of a kind, the likes of which the community is unlikely to see again.

I extend my deepest sympathy to his family, particularly Grace, his children and grandchildren.

Greg Boulton, President of Port Adelaide Football Club

Allan Scott was and always will be a hero of the Port Adelaide Football Club – it’s that simple. Nobody has supported this club the way Allan did throughout what was a wonderful life.

The fact Port Adelaide grew from a suburban footy club into an ultimately successful one on the national stage was largely thanks to Allan Scott.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Allan’s family and friends at this difficult time.

Joint Club Patron and a life member of the Port Adelaide Football Club, Allan Scott has been actively involved since the early 90s and as a supporter throughout his life.

As the largest financial contributor in the club’s history, Allan Scott’s generous donation facilitated construction of the Allan Scott Power Headquarters – the state of the art training and administration centre at Alberton Oval.

In addition Allan Scott’s tremendously successful business, Scott’s Transport, was the Power’s joint major sponsor from 1997-2007. In 2008 his generosity extended to the next generation of Port Adelaide’s finest through the establishment of the Allan Scott Player Development Academy.

Allan’s legacy is forever captured in the history of our football club while it is simultaneously aligned with its future.

We will all miss him dearly but never forget what he has done for our football club.

Steve Perryman, Mayor of Mount Gambier

Allan Scott was a significant figure in Mount Gambier and South Australia over many decades.

Through sheer energy and hard work Allan Scott proudly grew his business empire from the ground up. He always regarded Mount Gambier as his home and business base.

His business achievements and support of sport are well known but behind that Allan gave generously to many people, community groups and causes for which he did not seek any recognition.

On behalf of the people of Mount Gambier I express the deepest sympathies to Grace and all of the family at this difficult time.

Trevor Martyn, Chairman of the Australian Trucking Association

Allan was an all-time, wonderful man. He built up his business, the Scott Group of Companies, into the largest privately owned company in South Australia. He was the major shareholder and former chairman
of the K&S Corporation, a major national logistics company.

Allan ran his businesses with enormous acumen. He inspired his managers to high standards of excellence, and then let them get on with the job.

I remember sitting in the boardroom of K&S one day and looking into the yard. It was the busiest time of the day, but there was no congestion – the trucks went in and out like clockwork.

But Allan wasn’t just about business. He was a complete philanthropist, and a major supporter of the Port Adelaide Football Club, the South Australian Jockey Club, and the University of South Australia.

Allan was also a major contributor to the Australian Trucking Association. He was a founding director of
the ATA’s Trust Fund; I am very proud that our national conference centre in Canberra bears his name.

On behalf of the trucking industry, I would like to offer our sincere condolences to Allan’s wife, Grace,
and his children, Zena, Ray, Julie and Robyn.

Don Pegler, Grant District Council Mayor

Our first thoughts are toward Mr Scott’s family. He was very much loved by his family, and I’m sure he will be sadly missed.

He contributed a lot to the community, he was a great patron for many sporting clubs and organizations, and contributed both in a financial and especially in an advisory role.

He also helped a lot of other people, that a lot of us probably don’t know about – he was a very kind-hearted man.

He was also an exceptionally good businessman.

Occasionally, in my role as Mayor he offered me a challenge, but at other times he was exceptionally supportive.

But I always had the utmost respect for him, both as a businessman and as a person.

Robert Cope, President of Port Adelaide Magpies Football Club

Allan Scott has been our joint Number One Ticket Holder since 2001 and his support has been one of the major reasons our club has been able to build a business away from the football club in the Prince of Wales Hotel.

Allan Scott and his Scott’s Transport Group first became involved with the Magpies back in 1994 as major sponsor and thirteen years later agreed to a new seven year deal as our major sponsor once again.

Allan has always taken a very close interest in our club and we very much appreciate everything he has done for us.

It is an honour to say that Allan Scott has had such a significant influence on our club.

He is a legend of Port Adelaide and a legend of South Australia and he will be very sadly missed at the Magpies.

Our thoughts are with Allan’s family and friends at this difficult time.

Allan Scott has been a magnificent personal support to me and it is my great privilege to be able to call him a mentor and friend during our association, which extends over 20 years.

The club will continue to display the Scott’s Transport on its official playing jumper with great pride, ensuring that the legacy of Allan Scott continues at the Magpies.

Philip Bentley, chairman of Thoroughbred Racing SA

Allan Scott made an enormous contribution to the racing industry in South Australia.

Most people would be aware that Allan had become a very prominent supporter of racing in South Australia to the extent that Morphettville race course carries his name.

However, he was also passionate about thoroughbred breeding and racing and was an extremely generous supporter of grass-roots racing, particularly in the South East.

He was a sponsor of the Mount Gambier Racing Club, and was responsible for building some of the club’s entertainment infrastructure.

Only recently, the Scott Group of Companies committed to sponsoring new starting stalls for the Limestone Coast clubs as well as the transport used to move the stalls between clubs.

On behalf of the board, I would like to express our deepest condolences to Grace, family and friends.

John Lynch, Chief executive officer
Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia Central Operations

Allan Scott has been a significant contributor to the Transport Industry, the City of Mount Gambier, racing, football and many charities and community groups throughout Australia.

Allan’s generosity was endless and his commitment to the RFDS totally unconditional.

Not many people know of his support and assistance following our accident on approach to Mount Gambier in 2001 and it was at our insistence that his generous contribution to the RFDS be recognised with an aircraft being badged SCOTT GROUP OF COMPANIES.

We are saddened by his loss but will always remember him as a true friend, supporter and ambassador of the RFDS.

A legend and icon has gone but his memory will live on.

These articles might be of interest:
Tags: ,  

Email this post Email this post   Print this article Print this article

Comments

We welcome your comments on this story. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. We require a working email address - not for publication, but for verification.