PETER ISAACSON began his career as a 16-year old messenger boy on The Age, a Melbourne newspaper.

During World War Two, as a Pathfinder pilot with RAF Bomber Command, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Force Cross and the Distinguished Flying Medal.

In 1943 he captained the Lancaster bomber, Q for Queenie, to complete the first ever England to Australia flight from east to west. In the same year, he flew his Lancaster under Sydney Harbour Bridge.

After the war, Peter launched the first of a string of suburban newspapers - beginning an empire of community newspapers, business and professional journals and reference books published in Australia and New Zealand. He also expanded into Asia, co - founding the Asian Business Press Group with offices in Singapore, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpar.

Peter Isaacson was an honorary aide-de-camp to Queen Elizabeth II 1963 - 1965.

In 1991 he was made a Member of the Order of Australia for services to the print media and the community.

He has now retired from day to day management but retains directorships in publishing and other commercial enterprises.