2010
		2009

George Chapman Chapman Group

George Chapman could be described as a ‘born entrepreneur’. In 1962, at just 23 years old, he set up his first business - a surveying practice - where he learnt about, not only the practicalities of surveying, but the day to day running of a company. Around this time, George began to see huge opportunities in land subdivision and town planning in Cairns and in 1967 he commenced his first development project. While Cairns had a population of just 35,000 at the time, George calculated the population growth rate and implemented a strategy of purchasing and developing land, project by project. Since humble beginnings, George has gone on to develop several thousand allotments in the Cairns region, the Gold Coast and Brisbane. His ability to deliver complex and innovative developments and community projects, such as Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, Tiapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park and Harbour Lights Apartments, demonstrates his determination in overcoming challenges and his entrepreneurial spirit. In 1967, George co-founded the Cairns Regional Development Bureau (now known as Tourism Tropical North Queensland), encouraging employment, industry and population growth in the region. George was appointed to the board of Telecasters North Queensland Limited (TNQ) in 1990 and was Chairman from 1992 to 1998. In 1998, TNQ was delisted and restructured as Ten Network Holdings Limited where George was a director from 1992 until 1999. Other board appointments include Chairman of TAB Queensland, becoming Tattersall’s Limited in 2006 where he was a director until 2008. George remains Chairman of the Chapman Group, including the family’s 100% owned company Skyrail Pty Ltd.