Thompson enjoyed a long and distinguished career in advertising, working for J. Walter Thompson, USP Needham and Telecom, winning many friends in the printing industry who will remember him for his outstanding organisation and skill in executing national print campaigns.

He enjoyed his work, and was a master at mixing business with pleasure, founding notable ‘associations’ such as the Doyen of Graphics Society (DOGS) and the Dickhead Arms, and establishing traditions such as the annual Waysgoose, a Melbourne version of the traditional seventeenth Century Printer’s Picnic.

Thompson’s love of the printing industry was evident to all, and led him to chair the National Print Awards continuously for 20 years until his retirement in 2002.

Diagnosed with a brain tumor late last year, he passed away on January 30, 2007 at Cabrini. A dedicated family man, he is survived by his wife, Yvonne, children Chris, Jane and Adam, and his five grandchildren.

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