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Stephan William Vizard
Born 6 March 1956 (1956-03-06) (age 52)
Richmond, Victoria, Australia
Occupation Television host, Comedian
Spouse Sarah[1]
Children 5[1]

Stephen William Vizard, born 6 March 1956 in Richmond, Victoria, is an Australian media personality, businessman and philanthropist. Events 1079 - Omar Khayyám completes the Iranian calendar. 1454 - Thirteen Years' War: Delegates of 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. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience primarily by making them laugh Events 1079 - Omar Khayyám completes the Iranian calendar. 1454 - Thirteen Years' War: Delegates of 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. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics.

Contents

Early life

He grew up in the Melbourne suburb of Hawthorn and was educated at Carey Baptist Grammar School. Hawthorn is an inner-eastern Suburb of Melbourne, Australia, in the state of Victoria. Carey Baptist Grammar School (commonly known as Carey) is an independent, Co-educational, Christian, international, Day [2]

After finishing high school, Vizard then went on to study law at the University of Melbourne. The University of Melbourne is a Public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. [2] From 1981 to 1989, he worked as a corporate lawyer before turning his hand to show business. A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law as an attorney, Counsel or Solicitor; a person [3]

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. Fast Forward is an Australian commercial television Sketch comedy show that ran for 90 episodes from 12 April 1989 to In 1991, Vizard was awarded the Gold Logie. The 33rd Annual TV Week Logie Awards were presented on Friday 15 March 1991 at the World Congress Centre in Melbourne and broadcast

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, George Donikian and even Gough Whitlam in one instance. Derryn Nigel Hinch (born 9 February 1944) in New Plymouth, New Zealand (now an Australian citizen is an Australian media personality Richard George Carleton ( 11 July 1943 &ndash 7 May 2006) was an Australian television Journalist. Don Lane (born 13 November 1933 as Morton Donald Isaacson) is an American -born Australian Entertainer, Talk show Ian "Turps" Turpie is an Australian television celebrity best known for hosting the long-running game show The Price Is Right before being George Donikian (born 15 December 19?? is an Australian television personality Edward Gough Whitlam, AC, QC (born 11 July 1916 known as Gough Whitlam (ˈɡɒf goff is an Australian former politician and 21st 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. The Cosby Show is an American television Situation comedy starring Bill Cosby, first airing on September 20, 1984 This article is specifically about the original TV series (1972–1975 "Kung Fu" The Munsters is a 1960s American television Sitcom depicting the home life of a family of 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. Tonight Live with Steve Vizard was a television Talk show hosted by comedian Steve Vizard in Melbourne Australia, and broadcast around Australia [3] The show was said to have borrowed heavily from the format used in Late Night with David Letterman, although Vizard was safely off the air by the time Nine Network decided to commence screening Letterman in Australia. 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 based in Willoughby, a suburb on the North Shore of Sydney [5]

In 1995, Vizard sold his company Artist Services to John Fairfax Holdings for a reported sum of AUD$9 million (1995). Fairfax Media Limited, is one of Australia's largest diversified media companies The Australian dollar ( sign: $; code: AUD) is the Currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas [3] The unit was later on-sold to UK based media company Granada Media plc. Granada Limited (previously called Granada plc Granada Group plc and Granada Media plc is a former British media and previously Catering conglomerate [1]

Insider trading

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. Telstra or Telstra Corporation (often abbreviated as Telstra Corp) () is an Australian Telecommunications and media company formerly Events 1176 - The Battle of Myriokephalon is fought 1462 - The Battle of Świecino (or Battle of Żarnowiec 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. [3][6]

Allegations of insider trading first surfaced through former Vizard bookkeeper Roy Hilliard. [7] 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. The Australian dollar ( sign: $; code: AUD) is the Currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas This caused Hillard to be involved in significant legal matters for a number of years after the allegations being made. [7] Hillard continues to deny the alleged theft. [7]

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. The County Court of Victoria was established in 1852 by the County Courts Act 1852. Tax avoidance is the legal utilization of the Tax regime to one's own advantage in order to reduce the amount of tax that is payable by means that are within the law [7] Following this, the Australian corporate regulator, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) chose to commence an investigation into Vizard's activities in 2003. The Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC is an independent Australian government body that acts as Australia 's corporate regulator [8] On July 21, 2005, ASIC commenced proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia. Events 356 BC - Herostratus sets fire to the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, one of the Seven Wonders of the World Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Federal Court of Australia is the Australian court in which most civil disputes and some summary criminal matters governed by federal law are decided [8] It was during the course of this investigation, that ASIC undertook searches of Vizard's home and offices in December 2003.

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. Insider trading is the trading of a Corporation 's Stock or other securities (e Sausage Software was an Australian software company founded by entrepreneur Steve Outtrim which produced one of the world's most successful web editors the HotDog web authoring Founded in Melbourne, Australia in 1978, Computershare ( has grown (largely through overseas acquisitions to become the world's largest share registry [9] 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). The Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC is an independent Australian government body that acts as Australia 's 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 [9]

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. This article is about the bank For the defunct airline see Western Pacific Airlines. The Australian dollar ( sign: $; code: AUD) is the Currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas 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. [10]

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. [7]

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. Events 1540 - Thomas Cromwell is executed at the order of Henry VIII of England on charges of Treason. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. [11] 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. [11] 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. [11]

“ "The admissions in the civil penalty proceedings and the proceedings themselves cannot be used to bolster a criminal prosecution for the same conduct by virtue of the provisions of Section 1317Q of the Corporations Act 2001"[11] ”

—Media statement by Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions Damian Bugg QC in relation to the dropping of criminal charges against Vizard.

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. Events 1540 - Thomas Cromwell is executed at the order of Henry VIII of England on charges of Treason. 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 [9] 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. The Federal Court of Australia is the Australian court in which most civil disputes and some summary criminal matters governed by federal law are decided [9] Vizard agreed that the court should impose penalties for a breach of his duties as a director. [9]

ASIC proposed $130,000 fine per offence and 5 years disqualification. [9] Justice Finkelstein further ordered a disqualification of 10 years, on the grounds that 5 was insufficient. [9] 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. Vizard also resigned his positions on various government boards and Melbourne sporting events. Melbourne ( 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. Rene Rivkin ( 6 June 1944 in Shanghai, China &ndash 1 May 2005 in Sydney, Australia) was an Business commentator Terry McCrann was highly critical of the outcomes of the case.

“ "you can interpret that as a message which says you can buy your way out of jail"[12] ”

—Terry McCrann on the 7:30 Report

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. The 730 Report is an Australian nightly Television current affairs program shown on ABC1 at 7 An accountant is a practitioner of Accountancy, which is the measurement disclosure or provision of assurance about financial information that helps managers investors [11] A Vizard family company lent CTI money to invest in cows and had an agreement to receive back proceeds (less a management fee). [11] 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. [11] Lay declined to make a statement, or not without a full indemnity for himself and his firm. 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. [11]

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. A subpoena (səˈpiːnə is commonly defined as a written command to a person to Testify before a Court or be punished [11]

Philanthropic activities

In 1991, he founded the Vizard Foundation, which in turn established Steve Vizard House, a refuge for people in need. [3][13]

On April 27, 1994, the Vizard Foundation purchased 45 antiquities from an auction held by Christie's of London. Events 1124 - David I becomes King of Scotland. 1296 - Battle of Dunbar: The Scots are defeated Year 1994 ( MCMXCIV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1994 Gregorian calendar) Christie's is a leading art business and a fine arts Auction house [14] These items are on permanent loan to the Ian Potter Museum of Art at the University of Melbourne. [14]

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. Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia on 14 February 1975 "for the purpose of according recognition [15] In 2008, Vizard returned the Order of Australia honour, after the insider trading scandal. [16]

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. Alternative meaning Constitutional convention (political custom A constitutional convention is a gathering for the purpose of writing a new Canberra ( is the capital city of Australia With a population of over 340000 it is Australia's largest inland City. The Australian Republican Movement (ARM is a non-partisan lobby group advocating constitutional change in Australia to a Republican form of government from a constitutional [3] After the constitutional convention, Vizard wrote the book Two Weeks in Lilliput: Bear Baiting and Backbiting At the Constitutional Convention (ISBN 0140279830).

In 2002, he received the Australian Father Of The Year award. The Australian Father Of The Year award is an Australian award to honor and showcase a fine example of Australian fatherhood [17]

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. The TV Week Logie Awards are the Australian television industry awards which have been presented annually since 1959 Michael Veitch (born 29 November 1962) is an Australian comedian and writer best known for his appearances on the Sketch comedy television shows Veitch's character lampooned Vizard's recent legal troubles.

Vizard has also worked as a public speaker. A public speaker is a person who makes speeches in Public settings [1]

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. Network Ten, or Channel Ten, is one of Australia 's three major commercial television networks. History and premise The program was first advertised by Network Ten in December 2005, with promos depicting Wedgedale, a Stereotypical [18][19]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Australian Entertainment Services. Steve Vizard. Retrieved on 2007-07-10. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 48 BC - Battle of Dyrrhachium, Julius Caesar barely avoids a catastrophic defeat to Pompey in Macedonia.
  2. ^ a b Beck, Chris. "What I've learnt", The Age, 2003-08-23. The Age is a Broadsheet daily Newspaper, which has been published in Melbourne, Australia since 1854 Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 79 - Mount Vesuvius begins stirring on the feast day of Vulcan the Roman god of fire (en-au) 
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Staff writers. "The life and times of Steve Vizard", The Age, 2003-08-23. The Age is a Broadsheet daily Newspaper, which has been published in Melbourne, Australia since 1854 Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 79 - Mount Vesuvius begins stirring on the feast day of Vulcan the Roman god of fire (en-au) 
  4. ^ The Eleventh Hour at the Internet Movie Database
  5. ^ Zoglin, Richard: Letterman Uber Alles, TIME, June 24, 2001. Time (trademarked in capitals as TIME) is a weekly American Newsmagazine, similar to Newsweek and Events 972 - Battle of Cedynia, the first documented victory of Polish forces takes place Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar.
  6. ^ Telstra Corporation Limited (2000-09-20). Telstra or Telstra Corporation (often abbreviated as Telstra Corp) () is an Australian Telecommunications and media company formerly 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. Events 451 - The Battle of Chalons takes place in North Eastern France. Mansfield announces Telstra board changes. Retrieved on 2007-06-12. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1381 - Peasants' Revolt: in England, rebels arrive at Blackheath.
  7. ^ a b c d e The 7.30 Report, Australian Broadcasting Corporation (2005-08-17). The 730 Report is an Australian nightly Television current affairs program shown on ABC1 at 7 The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly abbreviated to the 'ABC' is Australia's national public broadcaster. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 986 - A Byzantine army was destroyed in the pass of Trajan's Gate by the Bulgarians under the Comitopuli Roy Hilliard recounts his version of the Vizard affair. Retrieved on 2007-06-12. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1381 - Peasants' Revolt: in England, rebels arrive at Blackheath.
  8. ^ a b Australian Securities and Investments Commission (2005-07-04). The Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC is an independent Australian government body that acts as Australia 's corporate regulator Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 836 - Pactum Sicardi, peace between the Principality of Benevento and the Duchy of Naples ASIC commences civil proceedings against Stephen Vizard. Retrieved on 2007-06-12. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1381 - Peasants' Revolt: in England, rebels arrive at Blackheath.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g [2005] FCA 1037 Australian Securities and Investments Commission v Vizard
  10. ^ Australian Securities and Investments Commission (2006-09-05). The Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC is an independent Australian government body that acts as Australia 's corporate regulator Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1590 - Alexander Farnese 's army forces Henry IV of France to raise the siege of Paris. Police questioned Vizard about perjury claims, court told. Retrieved on 2007-06-12. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1381 - Peasants' Revolt: in England, rebels arrive at Blackheath.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (2005-07-28). Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1540 - Thomas Cromwell is executed at the order of Henry VIII of England on charges of Treason. Media Release: Stephen Vizard. Retrieved on 2007-06-12. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1381 - Peasants' Revolt: in England, rebels arrive at Blackheath.
  12. ^ The 7.30 Report, Australian Broadcasting Corporation (2005-07-05). The 730 Report is an Australian nightly Television current affairs program shown on ABC1 at 7 The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly abbreviated to the 'ABC' is Australia's national public broadcaster. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1295 - Scotland and France form an alliance the beginnings of the Auld Alliance, against England. Questions raised over Vizard penalties. Retrieved on 2007-06-12. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1381 - Peasants' Revolt: in England, rebels arrive at Blackheath.
  13. ^ Melbourne Health (2005-01-02). Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 366 - The Alamanni cross the frozen Rhine River in large numbers invading the Roman Empire. Accommodation Information for Country Patients, Relatives & Escorts. Retrieved on 2007-06-12. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1381 - Peasants' Revolt: in England, rebels arrive at Blackheath.
  14. ^ a b University of Melbourne. The University of Melbourne is a Public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Vizard Foundation - Collection of Antiquities. Retrieved on 2007-06-12. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1381 - Peasants' Revolt: in England, rebels arrive at Blackheath.
  15. ^ Government of Australia. This article describes the federal government of Australia See Australian governments for other jurisdictions Australian Honours Database, Steve William VIZARD. Retrieved on 2007-07-10. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 48 BC - Battle of Dyrrhachium, Julius Caesar barely avoids a catastrophic defeat to Pompey in Macedonia.
  16. ^ Vizard hands back Order of Australia, The Age, May 6, 2008. The Age is a Broadsheet daily Newspaper, which has been published in Melbourne, Australia since 1854 Events 1527 - Spanish and German troops sack Rome; some consider this the end of the Renaissance. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common
  17. ^ The Sheppard Centre. History of the Award, Australian Farther of the Year. Retrieved on 2007-07-10. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 48 BC - Battle of Dyrrhachium, Julius Caesar barely avoids a catastrophic defeat to Pompey in Macedonia.
  18. ^ Network Ten. Network Ten, or Channel Ten, is one of Australia 's three major commercial television networks. Meet the creators behind Wedgedale, The Wedge. Retrieved on 2007-07-10. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 48 BC - Battle of Dyrrhachium, Julius Caesar barely avoids a catastrophic defeat to Pompey in Macedonia.
  19. ^ Steve Vizard at the Internet Movie Database

External links

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