Eulogy for Alexander Pongrass
10 Nov 1923 - 9 June 2000

Alexander Pongrass was born on the 10th November 1923, in a town in north eastern Hungary. He was one of three children. His younger brother Steven died sadly at a young age. His older brother, George, who passed away last year, was to become his close friend and trusted business partner,  and they remained close throughout their lives.

Alex had a tough and lonely childhood. There was never much money and living conditions were extremely poor. His father was often away from  home, and his mother worked to provide for the family. Alex was bright at school but a dreamer. Always conscious of his poor surroundings, he dreamed of a better life, in a better place.

His parents could not afford a secondary education, so Alex left school at the age of 14 and became an apprentice textile merchant, attending evening college to study bookkeeping, for two years.  Outdoing all other students, it was here that Alex had his first business venture - doing everyone else's homework, for a small fee, which he used to buy his first-ever worldly possession - a bicycle.

At the start of the War in 1939, Alex was 16. He left home and went to work in his Uncle's Newspaper Distribution Business on the other side of Hungary. His uncle had been conscripted to the Russian Front, and the family needed Alex to help with the business. It was not long before he was in charge of 30 employees.

1939 was to be the last time he would see his parents, who were later taken to and killed in Auschwitz in 1944. Alex's brother George was fortunate to survive Dachhau.

Germany invaded Hungary in March 1944. During this time Alex became involved with the Jewish Underground distributing Wallenberg visas.  With false papers and dressed as an SS guard, he rescued Jews on the Death March across Hungary. For a short time he was conscripted to a division of the army, but a sympathetic Captain released him from his duties. Luck was often on Alex's side.

Alex was a charming, good looking, well respected lad who showed guts and courage, and to whom people always responded. After the war, through well made strategic connections, Alex took advantage of the many business opportunities that presented themselves. He traded in vegetable oils, once taking a couple of drums of oil to Vienna, and bringing back a Bugatti car. He transported food throughout Hungary and into Vienna. Even in his early years he demonstrated a commercial sense and entrepreneurial skill, that characterised Alex Pongrass's life.

Alex met Clare in 1947, when Clare was 19.  Clare was the Secretary to the Treasurer of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. Clare's father was the President of the Church.  As Clare and her four sisters had to set the moral standards for the congregation, she had a very strict and pious up-bringing.  Clare fondly tells the story of Alex walking in to the office, to meet with her Boss on business. Alex and Clare's attraction for each other was instant. " I'd like to meet with your boss" he said "He'll be back in two hours" she said......."I'll wait with you," he said. Whilst she couldn't promise him a date there and then for fear of what her father might say, several months later, they got together whilst Clare's father was at a conference in Switzerland. Clare conspired with her mother, and six months later, Alex presented himself, and asked for Clare's hand. It took three weeks for Clare's father to say yes, and two weeks later they were married.

It is appropriate to say here that one meeting with Clare's mother was enough to convince Alex that Clare would have the heart and soul to be a wonderful wife and partner. Alex loved Clare's mother, and she spent many years living with them here in Australia.

Alex and Clare were also a beautiful couple - Alex with his thick black hair and striking good looks, and Clare with her Hollywood "Grace Kelly" glamour. When Clare and Alex walked into a room, people took notice. Alex and Clare were married for 52 years and they adored each other with a passion.

Alex and Clare immediately prepared to leave Hungary, as the Communists would take control of his business, and staying meant he risked imprisonment. So as not to endanger the lives of Clare's family or Alex's employees, they fabricated a story that they had been seriously injured in a car accident and were in hospital. This gave them the opportunity to plan their departure, with the help of Alex's close friend, John Saunders, who arranged  to smuggle them over the border. On 19 March last year, on the 50th anniversary of their crossing the border, I recall Alex and Clare recounting to me the story of how villagers high up in the mountains had guided them through mountain trails to avoid the land mines.

Once over the border and safe , they spent a wonderful year in Austria, full of adventure and excitement, before the long journey to Australia. And as for the enterprising Pongrass brothers, even here Alex and George showed their initiative when they set up a business to produce pre-fabricated houses for sale to Israel.

But Alex and Clare were destined  for Australia and left as soon as their permit arrived. Alex and Clare arrived in Australia in 1950, Clare already very pregnant with Steven and Leslie.  Unable to speak English, a pregnant wife, astronomical rents and universally regarded as a "refo", it must have been a daunting prospect. But Alex knew what had to be done.  It was hard work and no play ... Clare spent many a lonely night caring for the twins in those early years. Later,  business success would allow Alex to spend more time with the true loves of his life, Clare and the children.

As the boys grew Clare again fell pregnant in 1956.  Alex's keen business mind even saw a profit in this and he promptly insured with Lloyds of London against another set of twins.  How did he know?  The 1,000 pound payout on the birth of Tom and Judy made front-page news.

Some months after arriving in Australia, Alex and Clare were joined by George, his wife Agatha and their son Robert. Here was a land of opportunity, far away from war torn and politically dishevelled Europe. Having to leave their business in Budapest, along with their company's assets, they were determined to restart a business and the wonderful 'fresh' and politically stable country was going to give them the opportunity to achieve their goals.

Like so many expatriate Europeans at that time, they found Australia to be a sleepy country awaiting the hardworking skills and determination of natural entrepreneurs like Alex Pongrass.

Alex's first job was at Grace Bros, Broadway working for the princely sum of 7 pounds per week. But once George arrived in Australia, Alex, the businessman / entrepreneur and George, the Engineer / inventor were soon on their way to greater things. They purchased their first property in Rosebery and opened a factory.

George had invented a revolutionary pneumatically controlled tube-bending machine. This machine modernised the automotive, building and whitegoods industries in Australia and formed the basis of Pongrass Engineering. In 1952 they used the bending machines to produce tubular steel furniture.

The business grew rapidly and the Furniture and Marine divisions were also established. The Company was publicly listed in 1965 and by the mid seventies, Pongrass Industries had plants in Auckland, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, employing more than 600 people.

The mining boom of 1969 gave rise to a new opportunity for Alex. Over the next few years he floated two successful exploration companies, Kratos Uranium and Stellar Mining. Alex loved the spirit of mining and particularly enjoyed his journeys to the heart of Australia.

Alex was a great negotiator. There are probably many people here today who have had to go through the gruelling task of negotiating with Alex Pongrass. Had he made a  career at poker, he would have been a world champion for he never backed down and his expression was merciless. He was one of those people  whom,  even though you knew he was getting the better of you, you couldn't help but admire him.

While pursuing the growth of Pongrass Industries and his mining interests, he developed a passion for real estate and over the years undertook a number of major commercial and residential developments. not to mention a ski resort! His home in the   Bennelong Apartments at No. 1 Macquarie Street, was to be Alex's last property acquisition, and the one that gave him the greatest pleasure. The family was just so grateful to be able to be together for the New Year Celebrations with their pop at his wonderful new home.

Along with his later interests in publishing, printing and horse breeding, this man had a full and complete business life, touching the hearts and affecting the lives of many people. At his side were his very loyal Maria Zuckerman and Barry Charlesworth , both of whom he loved dearly.

George and Alex signify a slice of Australia's rich cultural history - European post war emigres - coming to Australia bright, energetic and determined to succeed.

Away from work, Alex contributed to the community in a number of other ways. He quietly supported many charities and was generous to many. He was a very private man, and avoided the limelight.

Soccer was one of Alex's great passions.  In 1988, Alex was made a member of the Order of Australia for services to soccer. He was the first chairman of the NSL, President of St George Soccer Club for 40 years and was a major instigator of the National Soccer League in 1977- the first National League, of any sport in Australia.

He was a great president, a visionary, the first to bring full time professional coaching to Australia. His club St George won numerous major honours and the club supplied many players into the national side and had 10 players involved in the campaign for the 1974 World Cup.  Alex worked tirelessly to fulfil his dream of building the St George Soccer House at Mortdale and once completed he went on to build Barton Park, the first Stadium owned by a Soccer Club in Sydney. He loved all his soccer mates, soccer's growth in the country and being a part of it.

Alex was also a foundation Member of Botany Rotary and the longest standing foundation member. The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International named Alex Pongrass a Paul Harris Fellow in appreciation of tangible and significant assistance given for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world. This is the highest honour Rotary can bestow on a member.

Alex had a special place in his heart for his friends at the American  Club -  he loved his lunches there, and many a family occasion was celebrated there.

In the commercial world, Alex was a visionary, a man ahead of his time - this was evident in so many ways - his property investments, his innovative manufacturing and commercial exploits, his Soccer.

But as much as he loved and enjoyed his work, he was also prepared to enjoy life. Ultimately, for Alex, his family was his greatest love. And of all his considerable achievements, he was most proud of his children and grandchildren.

Alex understood the need for balance. He loved his skiing in Perisher and Aspen; his walking; his many holidays with his children; the weekends at Bowral; the holidays in Port Douglas. A working day was nine to five, and by six he would be with his family at the dinner table.

He would reach out and touch the lives of so many. A fabulous father to Steven, Leslie, Tom and Judy, he was also a second father, a mentor and a pillar of strength to their partners and their friends.

He would strike a chord with everyone he met, and once you earned his respect, he was a friend forever. He would give you his absolutely undivided attention, making whomever he spoke to feel so very special.

Alex's interests were wide and varied; he was incisive and would inevitably hit the nail on the head. Whilst those who knew him appreciated and benefited from his pragmatic side, his sense of humour, punctuated by his charming Hungarian accent, always left you smiling and feeling good about yourself  - although Alex would say "what accent?"

Alex's health started to suffer in the last ten years - Parkinsons and Diabetes, whilst mild and manageable became a concern, and his business activities declined. Cancer was the final blow. But he was always thinking of the many opportunities waiting, were he only younger and healthier.

In later years it was his grandchildren who would be his special joy. He loved each and every one of them, for their unique characteristics and special achievements. He was full of advice (whether they wanted it or not) and would lie awake at night, pondering their problems, real or otherwise, so that he could guide them through life. He always had a beautiful thing to say about them all.

Alex, affectionately called POP by his grandchildren, made a point of loving and befriending all  13 of them -  Adam, Nathan, James, Amy, Simon, Brigit, Matthew, Christopher, David, Andrew, Jessica, William and Sarah,  as well as caring deeply for Alexandra, Joshua and Hannah.   I'm sure all of you here have seen the gleam in his eye when he talked of their exploits, he was proud of them all.

Always by his side was the great love of his life - his Klarika, whom he adored. Clare's beauty inside and out were a rare combination - how lucky he was - and...... didn't he know it. Clare was devoted to Alex - to her Alex always came first. She shall miss him terribly.

Clare, Steven, Leslie, Tom and Judy  and their families would like to extend to you all a heart-felt thanks for all your calls, support and  kind thoughts  over these past few days.

Alex, we were privileged to have you in our lives.