'One of Victoria's finest' dies after astounding career

Police investigate man’s body found in the middle of Melbourne road

Influential advertising and media veteran Harold Mitchell has died aged 81.

He passed away on Saturday following complications from knee surgery.

The Melbourne-based businessman was well known for his philanthropy and was a 2013 Australian of the Year nominee.

in 1976, he founded Mitchell and Partners, which went on to become the largest media buying agency in Australia, and sat as executive chairman of Aegis Media Pacific among other things.

Mitchell was a huge supporter of the arts, education and sport. He used his own foundation, the Mitchell Institute, to help pump millions of dollars into more than 100 different organisations.

His philanthropic endeavours extended to his support of Timor-Leste and Indigenous communities.

Leading tributes today, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Mitchell had made Australia “a better place” and that he’d be “one of the many who will miss his great company”.

Eddie McGuire described Mitchell as “one of Victoria’s finest”.

“He was fiercely his own man and a loyal friend and business ally to those he believed in,” he said.

Victoria University Chancellor Dr Steve Bracks said the entire VU community was deeply saddened by his passing.

“Harold Mitchell’s generosity and commitment, not just to our University, but to the people of Timor-Leste has been unparalleled,” he said.

“It has been my privilege to work alongside him as a supporter of humanitarian aid in Timor-Leste and Indigenous communities.

“His deep interest in the future of that country saw him awarded the Collar of Timor-Leste in 2023.

“We will miss him.”