Dick Smith (person)

I endorse tres equis' sentiments on Dick Smith, that he is a great Australian, down-to-earth. entrepreneurial, philanthopist, but with a clear understanding of the dangers present in unrestrained globalism. His Dick Smith Foods was formed from a popular backlash against the selling-off of great Australian food companies such as Arnott's and Aeroplane, Tarax and Vegemite.

Dick Smith is a regular pundit in the Australian media, and portrays himself (quite genuinely one would think) as an archetypal Good Aussie Bloke.

Dick Smith was born on 18 March 1944 in Roseville, New South Wales and today lives in the leafy northern Sydney suburb of Terry Hills.

The following list of achievements is taken from the Dick Smith Foods website:

• First Trans-Tasman Balloon flight - 2000
• Founded Dick Smith Foods - 1999
• Chairman of the National Centenary of Federation Council - 1996-2000
• Appointed as Ambassador for the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation - 1998
• Chairman of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority Board - 1997-1999 & 1990-1992
• First non-stop balloon crossing of the Australian continent - 1993
• Founded Australian Geographic in 1986 and returned the Australian Encyclopedia to Australian ownership in 1987, sold to Australian-owned John Fairfax Publications Pty Ltd - 1995. Now privately owned following management buy-out in 1998
• First person to fly around the world via the poles in 1989 and made the first helicopter flight to the North Pole in 1987
• Australian of the Year for 1987
• Made first solo helicopter flight around the world - 1983
• Founded Dick Smith Electronics 1968 and sold his interests to Aussie-owned Woolworths in 1982
• Awarded Baden Powell Award in 1966 after 14 years in the scouting movement