The recent news that the heritage Soul Pattinson pharmacy property in the Pitt Street Mall has been sold after 145 years on the site reminds us of Newington’s historic links with the iconic firm.

The first link was forged when Tom Millner (ON 1903) (Colonel T.G. Millner, MC VD, businessman and philanthropist and one of Newington’s great benefactors) married Mary Pattinson, daughter of Lewy Pattinson, founder of Washington H Soul Pattinson & Co. Ltd. Their son Jim (James Sinclair Millner, AM (ON 1937)) joined the business after completing his pharmacy studies in 1947. Having served as a Director, he chaired the company from 1969 to 1998, building and diversifying its range of business interests. He headed a range of other companies and, like his father, was both a noted philanthropist and a long-serving member of Newington’s Council. His widow, Mrs Jean Millner, continued these links by establishing the Jim Millner (ON 1937) Bursary before she passed away in 2016.

Rob Millner (Robert Dobson Millner (ON 1968)), Jim’s nephew, succeeded him as Chairman of Soul Pattinson in 1999. One of Australia’s leading corporate executives, he too has headed many other companies. Rob’s cousin Michael Millner (ON 1969) has also played prominent roles in the ‘family firm’, notably as Deputy Chairman of Washington H. Soul Pattinson and of Brickworks Limited. Bruce Bagley, OAM (ON 1959) had his whole career as a pharmacist with Soul Pattinson, including service as a Director and as General Manager of its pharmacy operations. David Fairfull (ON 1959), another leading corporate executive, has also seen long-term service as a Director with Soul Pattinson.

Closing the circle, the purchaser of the Pitt Street Mall site is another Old Newingtonian, retail property investor Victor Comino (ON 1982), while the agent for the sale was retail acquisitions specialist Simon Rooney (ON 1985).