Sir Leo Arthur Hielscher, AC (born 1 October 1926) is an Australian senior public servant and administrator. He retired on 30 June 2010 after 19 years as chairman of the Queensland Treasury Corporation. He has been acclaimed as one of the key figures responsible for transforming Queensland's economy in the late 20th century and early 21st century.[1]
Sir Leo Hielscher | |
|---|---|
 Sir Leo Hielscher at the opening of the duplicate Gateway Bridge and the renaming of the two bridges in his honour, May 2010. | |
| Born | 1 October 1926 |
| Occupation | Public servant |
| Years active | 68 |
| Board member of | Expo 88, Austsafe Ltd, Independent Superannuation Preservation Fund, Gladstone Special Steel Corp., Amrites Ltd, APN News & Media, Queensland Treasury Corp., Media Ltd, Metcash Ltd and Infratil Australia Ltd. |
| Spouse | Mary Ellen Hielscher (1927–2017) |
| Children | 1 boy, 1 girl |
| Awards | Eisenhower Fellowship, Knight Bachelor, Honorary Doctorate of Griffith University, Honorary Fellowship of the Finance & Treasury Association, Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) |
Leo Hielscher was educated at Brisbane State High School and University of Queensland (BComm, AAUQ).[2] He joined the Queensland Public Service in 1942. He was the Under Treasurer of Queensland for 14 years (1974–1988) and before that, 10 years as Deputy Under Treasurer. He was then appointed Chairman of the Queensland Treasury Corporation Advisory Board in 1988. In 1991, the Advisory Board became the Queensland Treasury Corporation Board and Sir Leo was appointed as its inaugural Chairman.
Sir Leo had more than fifty years' experience in the areas of government, the banking and finance industry, domestic and global financial markets, superannuation industry and as an independent Company Director.
Sir Leo is also the inaugural Chairman of Austsafe Ltd (an industry Superannuation fund); Chairman of the Independent Superannuation Preservation Fund, and the Queensland Health Reform Advisory Panel, a Commissioner of the Local Government Reform Commission and a Director of the American Australian Association Ltd. As a Company Director, Sir Leo has considerable experience at Board level and has been associated with a number of public and private sector Boards.
Sir Leo was awarded an Eisenhower Fellowship in 1973, a Knight Bachelor in 1987, an Honorary Doctorate of Griffith University in 1993, and a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in 2004.[3]
On 16 May 2010, the Queensland Government led by Anna Bligh renamed the bridge known as the Gateway Bridge and its newly constructed duplicate the Sir Leo Hielscher Bridges.[4][5]
Personal life
editSir Leo is married to Lady (Mary Ellen) Hielscher. They have three children, Barry Allan (deceased 1967), Ross and Kerri, and three grandchildren, Claire, Emily and Lyndon.[6]
References
edit- ^ Walker, Jamie (19 July 2018). "Sir Leo Hielscher slams Queensland government over debt". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
- ^ Hielscher: Preview Family Record. Burke's Peerage & Gentry (UK). Retrieved on 3 November 2011.
- ^ Queens Birthday 2004 Honours list Archived 23 January 2010 at the Wayback Machine. The Office of Governor, Queensland. Retrieved on 3 November 2011.
- ^ History made as tens of thousands walk new Gateway to Queensland. Ministerial Media Statement. 16 May 2010. Retrieved on 3 November 2011.
- ^ (11 February 2010). Gateway bridges to be renamed after Sir Leo Hielscher. The Courier Mail. Retrieved on 3 November 2011.
- ^ Sara Harris (15 June 2004). High honour for Sir Leo. Redland Times. Retrieved on 3 November 2011.