View Full Version : Don Argus
FOOOOTY
17 Apr 2008, 19:58
Reported on AW just then, hes considering running for the presidency.
Could be our saviour
Bartram_Class
17 Apr 2008, 21:28
If you could come in and wipe our debt, that would be very handy Don.
Super-Chief
17 Apr 2008, 21:58
Reported on AW just then, hes considering running for the presidency.
Could be our saviour
Sorry for my ignorance, but who is Don Argus?
master bate
17 Apr 2008, 22:39
Sorry for my ignorance, but who is Don Argus?I didn't know but - Wiki did!
Don Argus is an Australian (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia) businessman, and the current chairman (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chairman) of BHP Billiton (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BHP_Billiton) and Brambles (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brambles_Industries).
Argus spent much of his early career in the banking industry (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bank). He was the general manager of products and service at the National Australia Bank (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Australia_Bank) (NAB) having being at the bank since the 1956. He became the Chief Executive Officer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chief_Executive_Officer) in October 1, 1990.[1] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Argus#cite_note-A_Spell_For_The_Don_Before_BHP-0) He was credited with leading NAB to recovery from a difficult period in the late 1980s. However there was criticism of huge financial losses from overseas acquisitions that occurred under his leadership.[2] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Argus#cite_note-NAB_writes_off_.243.3_billion_on_US_investment-1)
In joined the board at BHP in 1996, and in 1999 he assumed the role of chairman at the corporation, where he oversaw its merger with Anglo-African miner Billiton.[3] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Argus#cite_note-BHP_Banks_On_Argus-2) He was also part of the board of the winemaker Southcorp, but resigned following its acquisition of Rosemont (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosemount_%28wine%29). In 2007 he was named one of the most influential figures in Australian business by The Bulletin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bulletin) magazine.[4] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Argus#cite_note-Most_Influential_in_Business:_7_Don_Argus-3)
He is a close friend of former Prime Minister John Howard (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Howard), and provided substantial financial backing to the Liberal Party (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberal_Party_of_Australia) campaign at the 1996 election (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_federal_election%2C_1996).[5] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Argus#cite_note-What.27s_driving_BHP.3F-4)
By my calculations he is also in his 150th year but as Chairman of BHP and a former CEO on NAB this guy has money in the bank. He looks to have the business skills, and a bit of cash to spare, but does he have the 100% committment to the club we need.
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee125/simon2323/DonArgusWeb.jpg
Bartram_Class
17 Apr 2008, 23:04
We don't necessarily need his commitment.
His money in the meantime would do us.
ExTasDeeMan
17 Apr 2008, 23:26
We don't necessarily need his commitment.
His money in the meantime would do us.
Yep, worked last time.
master bate
17 Apr 2008, 23:34
Yep, worked last time.Yeah I agree, when someone effective buys the presidency it helps in the short term but for a club like us it won't help at all. Carlton have heaps of supporters and with Pratt giving money and getting then out of debt the supporters and members come flooding back. For us I think it would hurt our membership. I have no problems if he wants to give us a big donation but don't expect the presidency without the commitment to trying to rebuild the club from the ground up.
FOOOOTY
17 Apr 2008, 23:44
We don't necessarily need his commitment.
His money in the meantime would do us.
Pratt rekons he spends 1 hr a week on Carlton matters, i think he inflated that figure ;)
Melbourne150th
18 Apr 2008, 00:01
Sure the money would help, but the most promising thing he could offer would be his business skills to get the club off its arse.
davey_magik
18 Apr 2008, 11:49
Please god let this be true.
**** Gardner off, this guy can wipe out the debt straight away and it will attract people to the club if we get our arse into gear off-field.
DemonJim
18 Apr 2008, 13:20
Hopefully this happens. Argus would be a beneficial person to join the club!
CaptainDavey
18 Apr 2008, 14:36
I think our club is too nice. I think we need to get some people on board who are evil, sick and demented and will stop at nothing to gain world domination in their respective heartless corporations or goverments.
Anyone know if that Putin bloke is available? Or that Pakistani chap?
I hope we get Argus on board, he would be a fantastic acquisition, as it appears in this day and age, you need some wealthy powerful old codger to be pulling the strings:thumbsu:
I think our club is too nice. I think we need to get some people on board who are evil, sick and demented and will stop at nothing to gain world domination in their respective heartless corporations or goverments.
Perhaps we can dig up Hitler? Or perhaps Saddam Hussain could help us?
CaptainDavey
18 Apr 2008, 17:17
Perhaps we can dig up Hitler? Or perhaps Saddam Hussain could help us?
I think there is a massive contingent of Jewish Melbourne supporters so maybe not give Adolph a run
NorthBhoy
18 Apr 2008, 17:23
Article in today's Hun quoting Argus (and Samuel) as saying they definately weren't interested in taking the job. Don't want to be the bearer of bad news, as both (especially Argus) would have been great. Argus said something about having "far too much on his plate".
master bate
18 Apr 2008, 18:14
Article in today's Hun quoting Argus (and Samuel) as saying they definately weren't interested in taking the job. Don't want to be the bearer of bad news, as both (especially Argus) would have been great. Argus said something about having "far too much on his plate".By taking the job do you mean being on the board or just president. I'd love to see us get some of Stynes, Argus, Lyon and more on the board. Even though I'm not a huge fan of his I get the feeling Gardiner really tries hard and could do with the help, I don't see many of the other board members as being particularly useful.
Mclean_05
18 Apr 2008, 18:29
This guy would be handy.
If the BHP, Rio-tinto merger goes ahead it would create the biggest company in the world.
And as Don is head of BHP, we would effectivley have the most powerful businessman in the world as our president.
:cool: