Vale Richard Pratt

Westfield chairman Frank Lowy's tribute to Richard Pratt sums up the qualities the entrepreneur displayed in his business and personal life - mateship, commitment and characteristic resolve.

The public tributes to Richard Pratt and the analysis of every step of his life has been astounding. There's little doubt that Dick hung on until Friday's Court ruling and the confirmation broadcast on the late TV news, which he watched. I don't think anyone has summed up Richard Pratt better than the chairman of Westfield, Frank Lowy. This is what Frank said:

"I'm honoured to add my condolences to the many thousands that will be delivered to the Pratt family at this difficult time.

"Dick was a close and good friend, to me and to so many others, in good times and bad. In that respect, the Australian ethos of true mateship ran in his veins.

"In business, he fulfilled a vision of epic proportions and he had a work ethic to match it. He gave back to his community, financially and with personal commitment, heart and soul, on the same scale.

"The troubles that beset him late in his life were faced with characteristic resolve, both to accept what he must with dignity but also to confront and ultimately deny those who demanded more of him than he owed.

"He will long be remembered for the many great works he undertook, and for the thousands of lives that were made better by his being.

"I will miss him very much and my love and prayers are with his family.”

I would add one point – his best decision was to marry Jeanne Lasker on June 7, 1959. The continuation of the Visy empire he built up would not have been possible without her.