Business Hall of Fame
Each year at least one local business is inducted into the Port Phillip Business Hall of Fame for their outstanding contribution to the community.
2006 Inductees
John Pratt, Dixon Kestles
John Pratt has been involved in the Real Estate industry since 1967 and has experience across all sectors of the industry including rural, residential and commercial. A fully licensed Estate Agent and Auctioneer, he has been with Dixon Kestles since its incorporation in 1975 in Clarendon Street.
John has always been actively involved in the affairs of local businesses and the wider community particularly as a committee member and secretary of the Port Phillip Business Association. He was instrumental in the establishing of the South Melbourne Business Association of which he as been secretary since its inception.
Having witnessed the transformation and change in business over the past 30 years in the South Melbourne area, John has contributed to many strategic and community planning processes in the local area. John’s commitment to representing the best interests of local business is one of a kind and is a credit to himself and the Port Phillip community.
Gail Donovan, Donovans
Gail Donovan has hospitality in her blood. A born marketer, her creative flair has resulted in many innovative firsts.
After much success at the now Grand Hyatt Melbourne; her first restaurant, Chinios (Melbourne’s first East meets West restaurant), Gail and her husband, Kevin Donovan, openedDonovans. They transformed the 1920s St Kilda bathing pavilion into a unique concept that remains one of Melbourne’s most popular dining destinations.
In addition, Gail co-authored Saluté, winner of the 2000 World Food Media Award for Best Hard Cover Food Book, and the recent sellout, Walking the Dog in Italy, that includes some culinary delights for dogs.
Gail has always been actively involved in the affairs of business and the wider community within Port Phillip. She joins our exclusive list of Hall of Fame inductees in recognition of her contribution to developing a St Kilda icon and providing an outstanding service for locals and tourists from all over the world.