Meet our Alumni

Free Strickland was an influential figure within the Victorian business community. Strickland began his career as a Customs Agent, eventually becoming Managing Director of Halford Young.

During the Second World War he flew a Spitfire fighter with the Royal Air Force in the United Kingdom. He then served with the Royal Australian Air Force in the Middle East, where he was wounded in action. Strickland was Chairman of Norwich Winterthur Insurance, Scottish Union and National Insurance and the Norwich Union Life Society.

He was also a Director of several insurance and customs agent companies. A business leader, Strickland was President of the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce, President of the Asian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Chairman of the Customs Agents' Society.

In 1978 he was honoured as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for his services to commerce. He was a member of the organising committee for the Davis Cup Tennis Challenge Round in 1953 and contributed to the community through his involvement in Legacy, Rotary and the St John Ambulance.

He was appointed a Knight of Justice of the Order of St John. Strickland continued his interest in flying and was Deputy Chairman of the Aerospace Foundation of Australia. In 2004 he was honoured as a Member of the Order of Australia for services to the community, particularly through the St John Ambulance and the Aerospace, Maritime and Defence Foundation of Australia.

For over 60 years Strickland supported the development of Melbourne Grammar School. He was President of The Old Melburnians, founding President of the Grammar Foundation and Chairman of the Melbourne Grammar Council Executive and Finance Committee.