Frank Cross (businessman)
Frank Cross (13 November 1910 – September 2011) was a Western Australian businessman who united business groups in 1975 into the Confederation of WA Industry, a predecessor to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia.[1][2]
Cross's career began when he was 15 years old, as a cadet industrial officer at the Western Australian Employers' Federation. He became skilled in negotiations, while also learning economics, industrial relations, accountancy, and law. Cross spent more than twenty years assisting employers negotiating agreements with trade unions, including as a court advocate in both state and federal arbitration courts, and became a senior industrial advocate figure and mentor.[3]
Cross worked with the Western Australian government in the 1950s and 1960s to attract international investment to and development of the state's resources industry,[1] including securing BP opening the Kwinana Oil Refinery in Perth's southern suburbs rather than in Brisbane, Queensland.[3]
Cross died at age 100.[1] He had three children, nine grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.[2] Cross was recognised as one of the most influential Western Australian businesspeople in The West Australian's 2013 list of the 100 most influential.[3]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c Pownell, Mark (7 September 2011). "Farewell Frank Cross, CCI founding father". Business News. Archived from the original on 21 May 2023. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
- ^ a b Ryan, Vivienne (15 November 2010). "Enterprise trailblazer turns 100". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 26 May 2012. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
- ^ a b c Harvey, Ben; Hatch, Daniel (29 November 2013). 100 most influential: The business leaders who shaped WA – 1829-2013 (PDF). The West Australian. p. 50. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 January 2020. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
- "SPIRIT OF HARMONY SAYS UNION SECY". Sunday Times (Perth). No. 2604. Western Australia. 18 January 1948. p. 8 (Sporting Section). Retrieved 21 May 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
Further reading[edit]
- "Biographical cuttings on Frank Cross, former Director of the Employers' Federation". From Australian newspapers and journals from the early 20th century to 2000 – via National Library of Australia.
- Cooley, Don (May 1989). Hess, Michael (ed.). "Memories of My Life as a Trade Union Official" (PDF). Papers In Labour History. 3. Perth Branch, Australia Society for the Study of Labour History: 35–60. ISSN 1030-6218. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 April 2023.