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Businessman who cares about promoting the arts

IT IS hard to typecast Graham Smorgon, the well-known businessman who is increasingly active in public life, which has been recognised with an Australia Day honour for significant service to business, and to the community of Victoria.
By · 28 Jan 2013
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28 Jan 2013
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IT IS hard to typecast Graham Smorgon, the well-known businessman who is increasingly active in public life, which has been recognised with an Australia Day honour for significant service to business, and to the community of Victoria.

Mr Smorgon initially worked for the Smorgon family's extensive interests and was appointed chairman in 1994 - replacing Victor Smorgon - when it had more than 6000 employees.

Subsequently, it was decided to split the assets among family members. Mr Smorgon was appointed to the board of Arrium, the former OneSteel, after it took control of the steel interests, and he holds a number of other board positions.

In the past decade he has emerged more publicly in a range of roles from the health field including the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, but particularly in the arts as chairman of the Arts Centre Foundation. "I never sought any public recognition," he said.

Mr Smorgon, 63, is married with three children and one grandchild. He is a law graduate from Monash University.
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Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…

Graham Smorgon is a well‑known Australian businessman who was recognised with an Australia Day honour for significant service to business and the Victoria community. He led the Smorgon family business as chairman from 1994, has held multiple board positions, and is active in public and philanthropic roles—details investors often watch when assessing leadership track records.

Mr Smorgon initially worked across the Smorgon family’s extensive interests and became chairman in 1994. He was later appointed to the board of Arrium (the former OneSteel) after it took control of the family’s steel interests, and he holds a number of other board positions mentioned in the article.

According to the article, the Smorgon family decided to split their assets among family members after a period of collective ownership. Graham Smorgon continued in senior roles, including board appointments tied to the family's former steel operations.

Arrium is the company that was formerly known as OneSteel. The article notes Arrium took control of the Smorgon family’s steel interests, and Graham Smorgon was appointed to Arrium’s board following that change.

In the past decade Mr Smorgon has become more publicly active in roles across health and the arts. The article cites his involvement with the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research and his role as chairman of the Arts Centre Foundation.

Graham Smorgon received an Australia Day honour recognising his significant service to business and to the community of Victoria, as stated in the article.

The article reports that Mr Smorgon is a law graduate from Monash University. At the time of the article he was 63 years old, married with three children and one grandchild.

The article highlights Mr Smorgon’s growing public profile through leadership roles in the arts (as chairman of the Arts Centre Foundation) and in health (including involvement with the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute). For everyday investors, such community and board roles can reflect a broader leadership and governance profile that may be relevant when evaluating the experience and public standing of business figures linked to corporate boards.