Vale Peter Clark, PVCA President and Industry Veteran

Peter Clark GAIST MAICD, President of the Print & Visual Communications Association, passed away last week after a heroic fight against pancreatic cancer.

Clark was inducted into the PVCA’s Industry Honour Role at the 39th National Print Awards held in Melbourne last month in recognition and appreciation for his outstanding achievements and

industry contributions over the past half-century. A prestigious award of the highest order, rarely issued by the PVCA.

Clark, who hails from Tasmania, has had an illustrious 59-year career in the print and visual communications sector, which began with a certificate in Fine Art gained from the Tasmania School of Art to various roles across the industry and then building his own company, AIW Printing.

In addition to his entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen across his career and businesses,

Clark has also demonstrated his commitment to the sector and its future by contributing widely at an industry level over the years.

“Peter was not only a well-respected Board Director and President but also a good friend and counsel. Always a loyal ear to bounce thoughts off and a passionate advocate for the industry. There are very few who have built not only such an impressive career but also have given back so generously over almost six decades to the industry. He will be dearly missed by many,” commented Walter Kuhn, Acting President, PVCA.

Clark’s industry contributions have notably included stints as a Director of the Printing Industries Association of Australia (Printing Industries), which is now the PVCA, Board Member for PrintEx 19, and Chair and Director for Graphic Innovators Australasia Pty Ltd.

More recently, Clark served nearly three years as a Director and Trustee of Media Super, where he was a member of its Investment Committee, sat on the Board of PacPrint 2022 for nearly two years in the lead-up to this year’s event, and in January this year, was elected President of the PVCA.

“Peter has been a tremendous support across the Board merger discussions and specifically over the past six months in his role as President. Coming into a merger arrangement can be challenging as we blend cultures; however, Peter, from day one, made it clear he wanted a united and common focused Board – he never wavered from this commitment and without Peter’s measured approach and calm steering of the helm, this merger would have taken a lot longer to occur. He has truly united two Boards to a common path, which in turn unites one industry. The support he has provided Kellie and the team is a testament to his character, and we are all grateful for his class and leadership, not only in recent times but across his entire career and generosity to the industry. Vale Peter Clark” commented Matt Aitken, Chief Executive Officer, IVE Group and Chairman, TRMC.

Clark recently credited the printing industry for providing some of his life’s greatest opportunities, commenting that giving back to the industry has been such a great honour.