Stephen William Vizard, born 6 March 1956 in Richmond, Victoria, is an Australian media personality, businessman and philanthropist. is the 65th day of the year (66th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1956 (MCMLVI) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Richmond is an inner city suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ... A comedian, or comic, is an entertainer who amuses an audience by making them laugh. ... is the 65th day of the year (66th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1956 (MCMLVI) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Richmond is an inner city suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ...

Early life

He grew up in the Melbourne suburb of Hawthorn and was educated at Carey Baptist Grammar School.^[2] Hawthorn is a residential suburb of Melbourne, Australia, in the state of Victoria. ... Carey Baptist Grammar School (popularly known as Carey) is a private co-educational Christian International school which has four campuses in Victoria, Australia - Kew (Kindergarten-Year 12), Donvale (Kindergarten-Year 6), the 14 ha Carey Sports Complex in Bulleen and an outdoor education camp near Paynesville in eastern Gippsland called...

After finishing high school, Vizard then went on to study law at the University of Melbourne.^[2] From 1981 to 1989, he worked as a corporate lawyer before turning his hand to show business.^[3] The University of Melbourne, is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. ... A lawyer, according to Blacks Law Dictionary, is a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person licensed to practice law. ...

Entertainment career

In turning his hand to entertainment, He produced and performed in hit sketch comedy show The Eleventh Hour^[4], and then became a household name for his work in Fast Forward. In 1991, Vizard was awarded the Gold Logie. Fast Forward was an Australian commercial television sketch comedy show that ran for 94 episodes from 12 April 1989 to 26 November 1992. ... The 33rd Annual TV Week Logie Awards were presented on Friday 15 March 1991 at the World Congress Centre in Melbourne and broadcast on the xx Network. ...

Steve Vizard is best known for playing character roles on Fast Forward, as Brent Smyth, Darryl (Stewards), 'Fakari' rug salesman Roger Ramshett, and Newsreaders Dirk Hartog. He also performed myriad impersonations, most notably of Derryn Hinch, Richard Carleton, Don Lane Ian Turpie, and even Gough Whitlam in one instance. He also scripted and acted in Fast Forward's memorable send-ups of popular TV shows such as The Cosby Show, Kung Fu and The Munsters. Derryn Nigel Hinch (born 9 February 1944) in New Plymouth, New Zealand (now an Australian citizen) is an Australian media personality best known for his work on Melbourne radio. ... Richard Carleton Richard Carleton (born 1943 in Bowral, New South Wales, died 7 May 2006 in Beaconsfield, Tasmania) was an Australian television journalist most noted for his work on 60 Minutes. ... Don Lane (born Morton Donald Isaacson c. ... Ian Turpie is a former Australian television celebrity known primarily for hosting a long-running game show called The Price Is Right. ... Edward Gough Whitlam, AC, QC (born 11 July 1916), known as Gough Whitlam (, pronounced Goff), is an Australian former politician and 21st Prime Minister of Australia. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... Master Po (left) and Kwai Chang Caine (right) in a flashback from the episode Dark Angel, written by Herman Miller Kung Fu (1972-1975) was an award-winning American television series which starred David Carradine. ... The Munsters was a 1960s American television sitcom depicting the home life of a family of horror movie monsters. ...

In 1989, Vizard partnered with comedy writer Andrew Knight to form the company Artist Services.^[3] In the same year he started the TV show, Tonight Live with Steve Vizard, which ran through until 1992.^[3] The show was said to have borrowed heavily from the format used in Late Night with David Letterman, and in turn when the Nine Network decided to commence screening of it's inspiration in Australia, this was considered by some to be the prime influence in closing the show.^{[citation needed]} Tonight Live with Steve Vizard was a television talk show hosted by comedian Steve Vizard in Melbourne, Australia and broadcast around Australia on Channel 7. ... Late Night with David Letterman was a nightly hour-long comedy talk show on NBC hosted by David Letterman. ... The Nine Network, or Channel Nine, is an Australian television network, available in major markets across Australia. ...

In 1995, Vizard sold his company Artist Services to John Fairfax Holdings for a reported sum of $9 m AUD (1995).^[3] The unit was later on-sold to UK based media company Granada Media plc.^[1] It has been suggested that John Fairfax Holdings be merged into this article or section. ... Au. ... Granada Limited (previously called Granada plc, Granada Group plc and Granada Media plc) is a former British media and previously catering conglomerate, best known as the former parent of Granada Television Limited. ...

Insider trading

Vizard is a devious fraudster. Image File history File links This work is copyrighted. ...

Since retiring from the Entertainment industry in the mid-1990's, Vizard pursued a number of business interests.^[3] In 1996, he became a Director of the telecommunications company Telstra Corporation Limited, a position he held until his decision to retire from September 17, 2000 and not stand re-election to the board.^[3][5] Telstra Corporation (ASX: TLS, NZX: TLS, NYSE: TLS) (formed from Telecom Australia) is an Australian telecommunications company under private ownership, holding a dominant position in landline telephone services, large share of mobile phone services, domestic consumer (including dial-up access and Broadband internet broadband cable modem, satellite and ADSL services...

Allegations of insider trading first surfaced through former Vizard bookkeeper Roy Hilliard.^[6] At the time of Hillard parting company with Vizard in 2000, it was reported that they had parted on good terms. However, this good will evaporated after Hillard was accused by Vizard of siphoning over $3 m AUD (2000) out of his accounts. This caused Hillard to be involved in significant legal matters for a number of years after the allegations being made.^[6] Hillard continues to deny the alleged theft.^[6] Au. ...

It was at the time of committal proceedings being brought against Hillard in the County Court of Victoria, that Hillard made public his concerns about Vizard's insider trading and use of his charities to avoid tax.^[6] Following this, the Australian corporate regulator, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) chose to commence an investigation into Vizard's activities in 2003.^[7] On July 21, 2005, ASIC commenced proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia.^[7] It was during the course of this investigation, that ASIC undertook searches of Vizard's home and offices in December of 2003.^{[citation needed]} The County Court of Victoria is located in the legal precinct of Melbournes central business district, on the corner of William Street, and Lonsdale Street opposite the Supreme Court and Melbourne Magistrates Court. ... This article contrasts tax evasion, tax avoidance and tax mitigation. ... The Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) is an independent Australian government body that acts as Australias corporate regulator. ... In Melbourne, the Federal Court is housed with other federal courts such as the High Court and the Federal Magistrates Court in the Federal Court Building on the corner of La Trobe Street and William Street The Federal Court of Australia is the Australian court in which most civil disputes...

In their case, it was charged that during 2000, Vizard had committed Insider trading by trading in shares of companies Sausage Software, Keycorp and Computershare based on highly confidential information he had received in his capacity as a Director with Telstra.^[8] The case of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission was that in the course of doing so Vizard had breached Sections 183 and 232 of the Corporations Act of 2001 (Cwlth).^[8] Insider trading is the trading of a corporations stock or other securities (e. ... Sausage Software is an Australian software company which produces the HotDog web authoring tool. ... Founded in Australia in 1978, Computershare has grown (largely through overseas acquisitions) to become the worlds largest share registry business. ... The Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) is an independent Australian government body that acts as Australias corporate regulator. ... The Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), sometimes referred to just as the Corporations Act (or informally as the Corps Act), is an act of the Commonwealth of Australia that sets out the laws dealing with business entities in Australia at federal and interstate level. ...

In a related trial where Westpac Banking Corporation was pursuing a civil action against Hillard for $3 m AUD (2005) for the unauthorised taking of the funds in question from Vizard's accounts, Vizard chose not to give evidence at the trial. It was reported at the time of the civil trial that Vizard's reasoning for not wanting to provide evidence was due to concerns that any evidence he may have given could be used by Federal Police and ASIC to pursue perjury charges against him.^[9] Westpac Banking Corporation ASX: WBC NZX: WBC, usually called Westpac, is the fourth largest bank in Australasia, after the National Australia Bank, Commonwealth Bank of Australia and ANZ and one of the largest banks in the South Pacific. ... Au. ...

The criminal charges brought against Hillard were later pled out in 2005, when Hillard pled guilty to 14 counts of false accounting, for which he received a two-year suspended sentence.^[6]

While Vizard was originally brought up on criminal charges of Insider trading, on July 28, 2005, the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions formally announced that they had elected not to proceed with the criminal case against Vizard.^[10] In a media release, Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions Damian Bugg QC along with ASIC Chairman Jeff Lucy vigorously denied assertions by some sections of the media that they had gone soft on Vizard on account of his admissions during the civil penalty phase of the proceedings.^[10] At the time Vizard's admissions were made, they were unavailable from a prosecutorial viewpoint, and they were made well after his office had determined that there was insufficient evidence to proceed.^[10]

In his judgement handed down on 28 July 2005, The Hon Justice Raymond Antony Finkelstein found that Vizard had in fact breached Sections 183 and 232 of the Corporations Act of 2001 (Cwlth) through his activities.^[8] The penalties imposed on Vizard were part of a settlement agreed between him and ASIC in the form of an "agreed statement of facts", that was jointly presented to the Federal Court by Vizard's and ASIC's lawyers.^[8] Vizard agreed that the court should impose penalties for a breach of his duties as a director.^[8] is the 209th day of the year (210th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), sometimes referred to just as the Corporations Act (or informally as the Corps Act), is an act of the Commonwealth of Australia that sets out the laws dealing with business entities in Australia at federal and interstate level. ... In Melbourne, the Federal Court is housed with other federal courts such as the High Court and the Federal Magistrates Court in the Federal Court Building on the corner of La Trobe Street and William Street The Federal Court of Australia is the Australian court in which most civil disputes...

ASIC proposed $130,000 fine per offence and 5 years disqualification.^[8] Justice Finkelstein further ordered a disqualification of 10 years, on the grounds that 5 was insufficient.^[8] He said "a message must be sent to the business community" about such conduct. The judge did take into account Vizard's remorse, communicated to the court by his barrister.^{[citation needed]} Vizard also resigned his positions on various government boards and Melbourne sporting events.^{[citation needed]} Melbourne (pronounced ) is the second most populous city in Australia, with a metropolitan area population of approximately 3. ...

Media comparison between Vizard's treatment and that of recently convicted Rene Rivkin were inevitable. Business commentator Terry McCrann was highly critical of the outcomes of the case. Rene Rivkin (6 June 1944 – 1 May 2005) was an Australian entrepreneur, stockbroker, and investment adviser. ...

One of the key issues in the case was that the trades in question had not been made by Vizard, but instead by a company called CTI of which Vizard's accountant Gregory Lay was the sole shareholder and director.^[10] A Vizard family company lent CTI money to invest in cows and had an agreement to receive back proceeds (less a management fee).^[10] This structure meant that in order for a criminal prosecution to be mounted, ASIC would have required evidence from Lay to connect Vizard to the trades.^[10] Lay declined to make a statement, or not without a full indemnity for himself and his firm.^{[citation needed]} The DPP could not (under the Director of Public Prosecutions Act 1983) give an indemnity without first knowing what it would be indemnifying him against.^[10] Accountant, or Qualified Accountant, or Professional Accountant, is a certified accountancy and financial expert in the jurisdiction of many countries. ...

Bugg also explained that, contrary to speculation, as a matter of policy the DPP would not bring a prosecution and just subpoena witnesses (such as Lay) in the hope of what they might say; it would undermine confidence in the justice system to start a prosecution merely hoping that critical evidence would become available.^[10] A subpoena is a command to appear at a certain time and place to give testimony upon a certain matter. ...

Philanthropic activities

In 1991, he founded the Vizard Foundation, which in turn established Steve Vizard House, a refuge for people in need.^[3][12]

On April 27, 1994, the Vizard Foundation purchased 45 antiquities from an auction held by Christie's of London.^[13] These items are on permanent loan to the Ian Potter Museum of Art at the University of Melbourne.^[13] The Christies auction house in South Kensington, London Christies American branch in Rockefeller Center, New York Christies is a fine art auction house, the largest and by some accounts the oldest in the world. ...

Recent career

In 1997, he was made a Member of the Order of Australia, for service to the community, particularly through the Vizard Foundation, and to the arts.^[14] Insignia of a Companion of the Order of Australia. ...

In 1998, Vizard was an elected as a delegate for his home state of Victoria at the 1998 Australian Constitutional Convention in Canberra, representing the Australian Republican Movement.^[3] After the constitutional convention, Vizard wrote the book Two Weeks in Lilliput: Bear Baiting and Backbiting At the Constitutional Convention (ISBN 0140279830). Victoria may refer to: // Victoria of the United Kingdom, aka Queen Victoria, former British monarch Victoria (Australia), a state in Australia Victoria, British Columbia, the capital of the Canadian province Victoria (mythology), Roman goddess of Victory Victoria may also refer to: Victoria (name) Main disambiguation page: Victoria of the United... A constitutional convention is a gathering of delegates for the purpose of writing a new constitution or revising an existing constitution. ... For other uses, see Canberra (disambiguation). ... The Australian Republican Movement was founded in July 1991. ...

In 2002, he received the Australian Father Of The Year award.^[15] The Australian Father Of The Year award is an Australian award to honor the finest example of Australian fatherhood. ...

At the 2006 Logie Awards, Vizard appeared with long-time collaborator Michael Veitch in a sketch that reprised one of their most famous roles, that of two camp, bitchy flight attendants. Veitch's character lampooned Vizard's recent legal troubles. The Logie Awards are the Australian television industry awards, which have been presented annually since 1959. ... Michael Veitch is an Australian comedian best know for his appearances on the sketch comedy television shows The D-Generation, Fast Forward and Full Frontal Categories: | | ...

Vizard has also worked as a public speaker.^[1] It has been suggested that After dinner speaker be merged into this article or section. ...

He has retained some involvement with the Entertainment industry since his decision to step back in 1995, including as Executive Producer for the telemovie Kangaroo Palace, and more recently as a creative consultant on the Ten Network comedy show The Wedge.^[16][17] Ten Network logo Network TEN so called because it broadcasts on Channel TEN in most cities, is Australias third but possibly most profitable television network. ... The Wedge is an Australian sketch show created by Ian McFadyen and produced by Network Ten. ...

References

Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 191st day of the year (192nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The Internet Movie Database (IMDb) is an online database of information about movies, actors, television shows, production crew personnel, and video games. ... Telstra Corporation (ASX: TLS, NZX: TLS, NYSE: TLS) (formed from Telecom Australia) is an Australian telecommunications company under private ownership, holding a dominant position in landline telephone services, large share of mobile phone services, domestic consumer (including dial-up access and Broadband internet broadband cable modem, satellite and ADSL services... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 163rd day of the year (164th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The 7:30 Report is an Australian nightly television current affairs programme, produced by and broadcast on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Monday to Thursday at 7:30 PM. The host, Kerry OBrien is one of the few Australian journalists that is able to make a politician to answer a... The Australian Broadcasting Corporation or ABC is Australias national non-profit public broadcaster. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 163rd day of the year (164th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) is an independent Australian government body that acts as Australias corporate regulator. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 163rd day of the year (164th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) is an independent Australian government body that acts as Australias corporate regulator. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 163rd day of the year (164th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 163rd day of the year (164th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The 7:30 Report is an Australian nightly television current affairs programme, produced by and broadcast on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Monday to Thursday at 7:30 PM. The host, Kerry OBrien is one of the few Australian journalists that is able to make a politician to answer a... The Australian Broadcasting Corporation or ABC is Australias national non-profit public broadcaster. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 163rd day of the year (164th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 163rd day of the year (164th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The University of Melbourne, is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 163rd day of the year (164th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Commonwealth of Australia is a constitutional monarchy, a federation, and a parliamentary democracy. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 191st day of the year (192nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 191st day of the year (192nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Network Ten, or Channel Ten, is one of Australias three commercial television networks, available in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth in Australia. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 191st day of the year (192nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Internet Movie Database (IMDb) is an online database of information about movies, actors, television shows, production crew personnel, and video games. ...

External links

• Steve Vizard at the Internet Movie Database