David Haymes: A Tribute

BY DR PHIL ROBERTS OAM

DAVID was a wonderful identity who made a magnificent contribution to both his local community and to Australian manufacturing. His passing is a sad loss for his wife Jenny, his family and the Australian community.

During 2015-16 when I authored a 300-page coffee table book: Haymes: Paint Flowing Through The Veins I came to know David well.

A charismatic man, I recall how passionate he was about his business, what an acute memory he had for details and his fascinating storytelling. In his later years, he was an engaging guest speaker as he regaled audiences with a fund of stories.

Born in August 1943, before he was thirty years-of age, he was appointed managing director of Haymes Paint which was founded by his father Henry in 1935. This appointment was quite remarkable as Henry had died in 1950. David was an only child, who was a ‘self-made’ man relying on three mentors – businessmen Morgan John, Alan Faull and Doug Metcalfe.

When David was CEO during 1974 to 2008 Haymes Paint grew to become Australia’s largest family-owned paint company. In competition with large multi-national corporations, it had outlets across Australia and was very successful. David, an astute businessman, became a household name through the television ads depicting ‘paint flowing through his veins’.

He was “big” on marketing and had mantras “we never take short-cuts on quality” and all customer enquiries should receive an “immediate response”.

He looked after his staff very well believing they should “share the rewards, the hurts, and the challenges.”

A recent marketing adventure was sponsorship of the Melbourne Football Club with Haymes Paint printed on game-day footballs.

David gave generously of his time. He was a strong advocate for domestic manufacturing in the Victorian corporate sector and, as a past-president of the Australian Paint Manufacturers Federation, was a leader in the Australian paint industry.

He was very family orientated and during 2005-09 was the third National Chairman of Family Business Australia. He was conscious of succession planning. In remaining chairman of Haymes Paint, he ensured the next generation – daughter Belinda, sons Matthew and Tim and son-in-law Rod – were closely aligned to the business.

He loved Ballarat. He did all he could to advance the community and provided many generous sponsorships. He never forgot his school Ballarat College (later Ballarat & Clarendon) and was proud that he was a member of the winning Head-of-the-Lake crew in 1960.

Over the years he belonged to Apex, Rotary, the Federation University Council, the Courier Advisory Board, the Committee for Ballarat and the Mechanics Institute. He was a strong supporter of the McCallum Foundation as well as his hobbies of stamp collecting, model railways and the Tramway Museum.

David was a person of many admirable qualities and it was a privilege to know him.