Eminent service: Jac Nasser’s major contribution to business and international commerce, and his significant philanthropy, have seen him pick up a top gong in this year’s Queen’s Birthday honours list.

AUSTRALIAN automotive industry luminaries at both a manufacturing and retail level, including former Ford heavyweights Jac Nasser and David Morgan, were among award recipients in the Queen’s Birthday honours announced this week.

Dealer group identities Richard Rolfe and Ferdie Dominelli were also honoured for their service to the community.

A former president of Ford in Australia and worldwide, and most recently chairman of BHP Billiton, Mr Nasser was among a select group of Australians to be named a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC).

He was recognised for “eminent service to business and international commerce in the mining and manufacturing sectors through leadership and executive roles” as well as to the “development of sustainable policy frameworks for industry and government”.

The Lebanese-born executive, who migrated with his family to Australia as a young boy and began his career with Ford Australia in the late 1960s as a financial analyst – reaching the highest office at the US auto giant in 1999 – also received the honour for his service to the community as a philanthropist and benefactor.

As well as his leadership at the top of Australian industry, Mr Nasser provides a range scholarships for entrepreneurs and university students in Australia and overseas, and supports the Detroit-based not-for-profit organisation, Focus Hope, which aims to overcome racism and poverty.

Ferdie Dominelli (Credit: John Veage/St George & Sutherland Shire Leader)

Mr Morgan was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) “for distinguished service to business and the automotive manufacturing industry, to promoting Australian exports, and to tertiary education through fostering links between university and industry”.

As the citation indicates, Mr Morgan was recognised not only for his service with Ford in Australia and abroad over four decades – including Ford Australia president and CEO from 1995-99 and president of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries from 1996-98 – but the significant role he has played in the broader Geelong community since then.

He served for many years with Deakin University, including a decade as chancellor from 2005-15, and played a key role in establishing the innovation precinct at the Waurn Ponds campus that has become a world-leading hub for hi-tech carbon-fibre research and other sectors.

The precinct is also seen as an example of how the Geelong region is transitioning from traditional automotive production to new manufacturing and knowledge industries, an area in which Mr Morgan has devoted his energy over many years.

He was a board member of Austrade from 2006-13, chairman of the Geelong Innovation and Investment Fund Panel from 2009-11 and, before that, chaired the G21 Geelong Regional Alliance (2005-08) and Geelong Economic Development Board (2000-07).

David Morgan

He has also been a board member of the Victorian Centre for Advanced Materials Manufacturing and continues to serve as chairman on the National Motor Vehicle Theft Reduction Council, a position he has held since 2000.

The founder and owner of the Rolfe Motor Group which has been operating in Canberra for more than 30 years – picking up a string of Dealer of the Year awards along the way – Richard Rolfe is well known as a successful businessman and, alongside wife Deborah, a major philanthropist.

Mr Rolfe was this week made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) “for significant service to the community of the Australian Capital Territory through philanthropic support of medical, cultural and social welfare organisations”.

These include the Australian Heart Foundation, Australian Cross of Valour Association, National Australia Day Council, the Australian War Memorial, Royal Australian Mint, Soldier On and Lifeline Canberra.

Founder of the Dominelli Group in Sydney in 1969 – and forever linked to Dominelli Ford’s ‘Fussy Ferdie Bird’ advertising campaign that put the dealership on the map from the 1970s onwards – Ferdinando Dominelli was also this week recognised for service to the community, receiving a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).

Richard Rolfe

For some 60 years, Mr Dominelli has supported a huge range of organisations – through sponsorship, fundraising and voluntary service – across a variety of areas including business enterprise, charitable and local government sectors.

His contributions in health care are significant, such as his role as founding president of the Lisa Leukaemia Committee (1978-1980), inaugural vice-chairman of the Italian Affair Committee that raised funds for the Spastic Centre of New South Wales (1988-1997), vice-chair of fundraising for Skin Bank Inc (1990-92) and member of the Hope for the Children Foundation advisory committee (1987), and for decades has helped raise funds for cancer care at the St George Hospital and Community Health Services.

The Dominelli Group also continues to support a range of organisations including the Cerebral Palsy Alliance, Children’s Cancer Institute, Caps for Cancer Foundation, Rotary Club of Hurstville and Peakhurst Community Centre.

By Terry Martin