Sir Harold Luxton

Sir Harold Luxton distinguished himself in athletics and rowing at Melbourne Church of England Grammar School, but he had limited sporting credentials, serving as President of the Melbourne Swimming Club for 15 years. Upon leaving school Luxton found himself in the hardware business, his father buying McLean Bros & Rigg in 1907 and James McEwan & Co. in 1910. When his father died in 1911 he and his brother Tom took over the family business. In February 1915 Luxton enlisted in the Australian Field Artillery as provisional lieutenant and was appointed second lieutenant when he joined the Australian Imperial Force in October. A pilot, he was shot down in August 1917, suffering a fractured skull, broken jaw and other injuries. During World War II he was Victorian director of the Empire Air Recruiting Committee.

After the war Luxton stood successfully for the Lonsdale Ward of the Melbourne City Council, intending to represent returned soldiers. He retained the seat until 1939 when he represented Hoddle Ward, retiring in 1943. In 1928, he succeeded Sir Stephen Morell as lord mayor of Melbourne – the youngest-ever. In 1932 Luxton was given a knighthood. In the 1930s he extended his business interests, becoming a Victorian director of the Bank of New Zealand and chairman of directors of the Metropolitan Gas Co., the National Mutual Life Association of Australia Ltd (1935-53) and the Fourth Victoria Building Society. In 1933 he was co-opted onto the IOC, serving until May 1951. During his tenure, he attended 3 of 14 IOC Sessions. Deteriorating health in the 1950s forced Luxton into semi-retirement. His place on the organizing committee for the 1956 Olympics was taken by his son Lewis, although he remained the elder statesman of the movement in Australia.