Page 68 - Print21 May-June 2020

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RIP Frank Hilliard, EFastern Press
rank Hilliard, founder of Eastern Press and one of Melbourne’s best known and respected
print identities, has passed away, leaving family, friends, colleagues, customers, and the wider industry in mourning.
Cormac Deffely, managing director of Eastern Press, writes: “It is with great sadness that we advise Francis Gerard (Frank) Hilliard passed away peacefully yesterday evening [7 April] after a short illness.
It was unexpected and all too sudden.
“Frank was a well-known and very well-liked figure in the print industry. Together he and Irene purchased Eastern Press in 1983, and over the last 36 years under his direction it has become a well-known and successful print company, with a name for quality and service.
“It was a family-run business by Frank and Irene, where staff have always been treated like family. Frank would keep a
close eye on the wellbeing of his employees and he was available at any time without fail to listen to a problem or help with a personal situation. The high esteem in which Frank was held by his staff is reflected in the 321 years of combined service between the current staff at Eastern Press.
“Frank was one of a kind. He was known for being fair both
in his business and personal dealings with honesty being one of his strongest traits. And many will have shared a laugh with Frank over the years.
“He will be missed by all those who ever had the pleasure to meet him. He will be sorely missed by the family he leaves behind and the family here at Eastern Press.
“A light has gone out for us all – we will celebrate his life and wonderful legacy of conduct and example of leading from the front in business, finance and life. Rest in peace, Frank.”
Many in the industry paid tribute to Frank, comments to the Print21 website included:
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Print21 MAY/JUNE 2020
Frank Hilliard, Eastern Press
Wayne Hood – RIP Frank.
Your legacy will forever walk through our industry as an example of a true gentleman.
In business and golf always a fair and fierce competitor. We salute you. Deepest sympathy to family and the team at Eastern Press. Wayne Eastaugh – Frank Hilliard, he was one of kind, loved by his staff and truly respected by all that new him. He was passionate about our industry and understood the importance of both customer and supplier relationships. Both he and Irene were an amazing team and built an amazing business, he was a true gentleman! RIP Frank!
Josie Carey McLetchie – RIP Frank. A kind and genuine friend who is sadly missed. Deepest sympathy to Irene, Jonathon and Shane.
Graeme Ryan – RIP Frank, a true gentleman. I will miss our one-on-one chats, you treated
me not as a rep from a supply company but as one of the Eastern team.
John Murphy – As you pass through life you are lucky to meet and befriend a wonderful person like Frank Hilliard.
A proud Aussie and proud Irishman. Frank was both generous with his time and money. He loved the printing business and was a printer by trade. RIP Frank.
Sandra Downie – RIP Frank from Dick Downie, condolences to Frank’s family and staff.
Alf Puglia – One of the true gentlemen in this industry,
he will be sadly missed. 21