Honorary Member Bill Pratt celebrates his 100th birthday this October. President Philip led the following which was turned into a special video message for Bill and his family.
On behalf of the members of the Rotary Club of Melbourne, it is my great pleasure to extend our warmest congratulations and very best wishes to Bill Pratt as he celebrates his 100th birthday.
Bill was born in Frankston on the 24th of October 1925, and what a life of achievement, service and innovation he has led. His Rotary journey began more than 70 years ago at the Rotary Club of Frankston in 1952, where he went on to serve as President in 1958. He later became a member of the Rotary Clubs of Moorabbin and Glen Waverley – becoming the Foundation President of the latter in 1972, and being awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship in 1975. Among his many Rotary milestones, Bill attended the World Golden Anniversary of Rotary in Chicago in 1955, where he met Mrs Paul Harris, joining a distinguished delegation of Australians including Angus Mitchell.
In 2008, Bill was invited by President Peter McCall to join our own Club as an Honorary Member, and we have been privileged to enjoy his fellowship ever since.
Outside Rotary, Bill’s story is just as inspiring and has been recognised as a Member in the order of Australia (AM). Born and raised in Frankston, he trained as an engineer but when war intervened, he served proudly in the RAAF. Returning home, he worked in his father’s grocery store – and what began as a summer holiday job became a billion-dollar enterprise that transformed the Australian grocery industry. Inspired by American retail trends, Bill pioneered self-service, grew a franchise model with Pratt’s Supermarkets, and laid the foundations for what became Safeway Supermarkets in Australia.
His biography, Making it Happen, captures the energy, vision and determination that have defined his life – values that resonate so strongly with Rotary’s ‘can do’ spirit.
This year three of our oldest Victorian Clubs – Ballarat, Bendigo and Geelong – celebrate their centenaries. Bill, at almost 100 yourself, you are certainly in good company.
Bill, your extraordinary life of service and leadership is an inspiration to us all. From your President and every one of your fellow members – Happy Birthday!
Congratulations on your magnificent milestone.
Bill was a true business pioneer in Australia. Watch the video below as he discussed the introduction of barcoding to retail in Australia.
