Carlton Football Club is mourning the death of prominent supporter Harold Mitchell.The depth and breadth of Harold Mitchell’s power and influence as a media buyer, advertising icon and dedicated philanthropist was recognized following his sudden death on Saturday following knee surgery.Less well known was Mitchell’s quiet but significant contribution to the Carlton Football Club over many years, particularly in its transformation, gender equality and community programs – which has now seen him posthumously awarded life membership.Although he didn’t live long enough to accept his lifetime membership in person – the 81-year-old was scheduled to be inducted into the Spirit of Carlton Hall of Fame on March 18 – Mitchell was recently told by a lifelong friend. and advertising tycoon David Nettlefold, whose board saw fit to grant him life membership.“I was able to tell him a week before the operation that he would get a Carlton Life membership and he was in love because he made Carlton so successful. He always had a company box on the days there were games there and he used his plane to fly Carlton and AFL guys to places like the Northern Territory,” said Nettlefold, who received life membership in 2020.”He was dedicated. a philanthropist, he donated millions to the poor and needy and was an incredible man. Great man.”In the days since Mitchell’s death, all of the Prime Ministers have praised Mitchell’s life for his incredible impact on society, especially through the Harold Mitchell Foundation in support of health, education, art and sport.At the same time, he also served as president or board member of august organizations including the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, the New York Philharmonic, the National Gallery of Australia, the Museums Council of Victoria, Opera Australia, CARE Australia, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Tennis Australia, the Deakin Foundation, the Melbourne International Arts Festival and the Australia-Indonesia Centre.But Nettlefold found humble beginnings in reflecting on Mitchell’s life.“He came from a humble background, a sawmill family in Stawell, and moved to Melbourne in his 20s. He applied to an advertising agency in the city – and the rest, as they say, is history. ” Nettlefold said.”When Harold and I first met, we had in common that we had been Carlton die-hards since childhood. Let’s go back 60 years to when Harold gave me my first advertising order through media buyer D’arcy MacManus on Queens Road. He gave me my first Uncle Ben’s stand.”Nettlefold acknowledged Mitchell’s resilience in overcoming his personal demons and his tough but honest business philosophy.”Harold had an early history of smoking and drinking that he overcame, and he had a weight problem that he also struggled with,” Nettlefold said.“In business, he was a powerful competitor and he reorganized the advertising agency. He brought all the small ad agencies together so they could get a bigger deal with the companies, and that’s exactly what happened.”Former Carlton president Mark LoGiudice, who helped lead IKON Park’s biggest infrastructure renovation, credited Mitchell for being incredible. support as a friend and mentor… when he became president in 2014.With the passing of Harold Mitchell, Carlton lost a good friend, LoGiudice said.”David Nettlefold and our passion for Carlton football brought us together about 10 years ago . I had just become president and I think it was more Harold’s curiosity to know what was going on at the club that we first met.“Harold and I spent a lot of time talking about Carlton. He was always interested in knowing what was going on with all of our teams, people and community programs, and he was very interested in innovation. He sounded great considering his experience and life wisdom. He was in it for a long time and achieved a lot in his life.“He was a very intelligent and generous person. He had a big heart. Ultimately, he made a significant contribution to the Carlton Football Club and left a legacy for it and many other organizations across Australia and the world.In the lobby of IKON Park, next to the premiership trophies, the Hall of Fame wall and the Legends locker room, there is a tangible reminder of Mitchell’s seismic contribution to Carlton.A Perspex sign next to the wall, appropriately labeled “For The Love Of The Earth”, reads:.