One of industry's great characters passed away on Saturday. The funeral of Iain Schmidt-Weichert, a News Corp stalwart of 20 years and latterly of Southern Cross Austereo, will be held in Brisbane this Friday.
A good friend to Yaffa Publishing and AdNews, former editor Ed Charles has fond memories of a great man:
Life was never straight forward with Iain Schmidt-Weichert.
I remember the first time I met him socially at a fancy dress party. He was dressed as a Beefeater and had a big cheesy smile. The rest of us were dressed as Romans as required.
Whatever the occasion Iain brought a sense of mischief and anarchy to his life and career.
Whether it was utilising the facilities of mahogany row News Ltd’s Holt Street HQ, or stealing toast from the CEO, he loved to mix with the floor and yet rose to become sales director of Sydney's Daily and Sunday Telegraph, mentoring many young sales executives who went on to greater things.
Never happier drinking Barolo on the News expense account (or cheap plonk when he was paying) many AdNews readers will remember his antics at The Caxton Awards, which included protecting Port Douglas hotel guests from a menacing python. Come to think about it, that may have been the other way round...
Iain was much more than an industry character. He lives on large in all who knew and loved him. While he will be missed for for his wit, charm and energy, it's most importantly his warmth and generosity that his young sons and close friends will remember.
Iain's funeral will take place at 10.45am Friday 7th March at the Alex Gow funeral home, 56 Breakfast Creek Rd, Newstead, Brisbane. All are welcome. A wake will follow at the Alliance Hotel in Spring Hill, Brisbane, around 12.30pm.
A Sydney wake will follow on Friday 14th March at the Aurora Hotel, Holt St, Surry Hills from 4pm. ken.benson@news.com.au is the organiser.
A trust fund for Iain's boys has been set up. Please see details below should you wish to make a donation to the Sam and Hunter trust:
Account Name: SIMON NICHOLAS WHITE AND ISLWYN DAVIES IN TRUST FOR SAMUEL SCHMIDT-WEICHERT AND HUNTER SCHMIDT-WEICHERT
BSB: 062000
Account Number: 15313428
Bank: Commonwealth Bank of Australia
Address: 201 Sussex St, Sydney NSW 2000
SWIFT: CTBAAU2S
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