Vale Kevin Weldon

Australian book publisher and philanthropist Kevin Ernest Weldon has died in Sydney, aged 89.

Ventura director and publisher Jane Curry writes:

‘Kevin started his career as a colour etcher at Brisbane’s Truth newspaper and his passion for print on paper never waned throughout his career. By 1964, Weldon had been appointed the founding managing director of the Paul Hamlyn Group in Australia.

‘Under Kevin’s direction, The Paul Hamlyn Group revolutionised the selling of books in Australia, breaking free from the established methods of the British publishers. Kevin started selling books in department stores, supermarkets and through full-page advertisements in newspapers and with TV tie-ins. The careers of Margaret Fulton, Stirling “Bill” Macoboy, Charmaine Solomon and Tess Mallos were all launched on Kevin’s watch.

‘The Paul Hamlyn Group acquired Australian publishers Lansdowne Press, Ure Smith, and Jacaranda, creating an enviable backlist of titles, many of which are still in print today.

‘In 1980, Weldon founded Kevin Weldon & Associates. From a stylish stone cottage in Milson’s Point, with his formidable personal assistant Pam Seaborne guarding the door, Kevin oversaw the publication of the groundbreaking books A Day in the Life of Australia, Macquarie Dictionary, Bush Food, Australia the Beautiful Cookbook and The Bradman Albums. A successful joint venture with John Fairfax Ltd and David Syme Ltd produced the major bicentennial work Australians: A historical library.

‘By 1985, the company had grown into Weldon International, a group of successful separate publishing entities. No territorial limits were imposed on any of the companies, encouraging export, which resulted in Weldon International making up 55% of Australia’s total book exports in 1990.

‘Kevin was an inspiring leader of the “old school”, who ran his businesses with drive, flair, and a healthy dose of the “Aussie larrikin”. He made me managing director (MD) of Weldon Publishing and Macquarie Dictionary when I was 27, fresh off the boat from England. At a time when few women ran large companies, I was given autonomy over operations that would be the envy of most Australian MDs to this day. He taught me the business essentials: “profit is not cash, and cash is better”, “never do 50% sale or return (SOR)”, “the profit is in the last thousand copies”, “stock is dead money”, “get out and visit the customers, be they in Warsaw, Kuala Lumpur or New York”. And my all-time favourite: “50% of f**k all is still f**k all”. They do not make them like Kevin anymore.

‘Outside of publishing, Kevin is best known for his commitment to surf lifesaving. He was the founding president of the World Lifesaving and International Life Saving Federation, and a member of the President’s Board of National Council of Surf Lifesaving Association of Australia. In 1994, he became a member of the Order of Australia for his philanthropy, contribution to water safety as president of World Life Saving, and service to the publishing industry.

‘His greatest love throughout his life was his wife, Glenda, who died in 2017. He leaves behind three children, Cecille, Leonie and Harold, six grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.’

Category: Obituaries