News
Vale John M Flower
Tue, Aug 21 2007
John M Flower LLD FPRIA
31 December 1929 - 19 August 2007
The Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA) loses an eminent public relations practitioner and long-time supporter of the profession. John's passing follows a short illness. He leaves behind his partner Eva Light. Our thoughts and best wishes go to Eva.
John joined the PRIA in 1954. His friend and employer, Alfred Heinz introduced him to the public relations industry on his first day on the job. "I haven't told you before, but I am the secretary of the PRIA in Victoria. I have the title; you do the work".
From that beginning John automatically / compulsorily become secretary of the Victorian branch and is the only member in PRIA history to have served as National President twice, in 1968 and again in 1982. He was elevated to Fellow in 1971 and then Life Fellow in 2003, the highest honour that can be awarded to a public relations practitioner. He was instrumental in establishing the RMIT PR course and remained an active servant to the Institute and our profession throughout his life.
John's working career began in 1954 with Albert Heinz and then another small PR consultancy where he was advised to look for a larger organization to gain broader experience.
John joined the Petroleum Information Bureau as it was known then and towards the end of 1957 was made Deputy Director of the NSW Bureau. John worked in Sydney and Adelaide succeeding the late Dudley Pilcher as Director of PIB from late 1968 until it was absorbed into the Australian Institute of Petroleum in 1976.
In 1993 John's career took another turn when he was accepted by Deakin University for their Law course, which was available on a part time basis in Melbourne. After six years study with four subjects per year, John completed the course in 1999 and graduated with an LLB after his name.
John had a keen interest in improving the Australian Constitution (even imperceptibly) but he knew that no one would take any notice of anything he wrote on the subject without the qualifications to back it up.
At that point John's health had begun to fail, however he continued with his many interests including the constitution, and the PR industry.
In recognition of his significant contributions, PRIA Victoria recently announced the John Flower Corporate Communication Award. The award will be presented annually to the best corporate campaign.
We would like to thank John's good friend Gordon Holland for keeping the Institute informed of his progress right up to the end.
John's family is holding a small private funeral. Colleagues are invited to attend a memorial service to be held on Monday 27 August at 3pm at the Rosina Room, Abbotsford Convent, 1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford. Melways Ref: 44 G5
For more than half a century John inspired, led, disagreed with, corrected, gently cajoled and, most memorably, splendidly laughed with so many of us. He will be sadly missed by all of his PRIA colleagues and friends throughout the country.