Aiken will be remembered as one of the most
flamboyant, generous and charismatic personalities the domestic industry has ever
known. No-one would ever say of him that he had not enjoyed life. His sartorial style was unmatched in Australian print, with a wide variety of unusual outfits worn through the years, although his
favourite  remained a lime green kaftan, his preferred hair style long in a ponytail,
held back with a large yellow daisy.

For 30 years he ran Boomerang Paper, building
up the business in Victoria, Queensland and WA, until the declining business forms market sent it into
administration five years ago, with CPI picking up the company. Aiken continued
to work for CPI until mid 2006.

Bernard Cassell, CEO at CPI says, "The
huge number of people who were lucky enough to know Ian will be sad today, but
as they ponder his life they will also smile, such was the warmth, depth and
sense of fun he brought to everyone he met."

Aiken came to Australia
from his native South
Africa 30 years ago, from whence he
was forced to flee, due to the unequivocal support he gave to the anti-apartheid
movement over there in the days when it was far from fashionable for white people to
express such views, let alone provide support to figures such as Steve Biko.

Aiken was married three times, first to
Eva, second to singer Colleen Hewitt, and finally to Eva again. He passed away
in his beloved Fiji, where he had maintained a home for many years.

Peter Jolly current general manager of Boomerang Paper writes…

The Passing of an Icon in the Printing
Industry.

Many will be saddened to hear of the recent
passing of Ian Aiken following a battle with Cancer.

Beginning Boomerang Paper in 1969 operating
from a spare room in Malvern and a Kombi Van for deliveries, Ian built
Boomerang Paper into a substantial Paper Merchant with offices in Victoria,
Queensland and Western Australia. His concentration on service with the
"Nothing's a Problem" motto gained him great respect in the industry. When it
couldn't be done by others it would be done by Boomerang.

In an industry not known for its
flamboyance Ian went against this trend with his colourful clothing and
eccentric business philosophy. Name the occasion and Ian had the outfit to suit
and if he didn't, he would soon have one made. Whether it was Green for a St
Patrick's Day function at Boomerang or A kilt to wear to the races it was
guaranteed he would stand out.

Ian's loyalty to both, staff and customers
was renowned not only during the working day but also shown by the many
enjoyable dinners at such restaurants as the Flower Drum where all were
delivered by stretch limousine and enjoyed the best food, wine and returned
home by the same transport.

Many suppliers and opposition merchants
would also admit to enjoying an evening
in the company of Ian whether relaxed or jousting.

His interstate visits could not go
unnoticed with him arriving in a stretch limousine. In fact on one occasion not
wanting to say "no", he had stock collected from an oppostion merchant by stretch
limousine and delivered to the customer prior to him arriving in his.

As much as he enjoyed the functions and
entertainment he also knew that the work had to be done. By example to his
staff he portrayed an attitude that no request was too difficult but instead
looked upon them as a challenge. His attitude was "yes we can do it" but this
is what it will cost.

Ian's generosity to charities was never
ending and his attitude to everyone has the right to enjoy themselves was
always there. Many couples in restaurants had their bills paid just because
they were sitting at the table next to him.

On a personal level "yes" Ian loved the to
have a good time. To turn up at the Hyatt at the Rocks in Sydney and see the
staff prepare the bar with a choice Dom or Krug and know its going to be a long
night was great, but he never forget to share as most would recall.

Let's toast an era gone and a mould broken.

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