Add Category
Billionaire Canberra property developer and philanthropist Terry Snow has died at the age of 80.
Born in Queanbeyan and the grandson of Canberra's first general store owner, Mr Snow's commercial property projects saw him rise to be one of Australia's richest people.
Through his company, Capital Property Group, Mr Snow led a number of commercial developments around the national capital, most notably the purchase and development of Canberra Airport.
Mr Snow purchased what he described as "a humble tin shed in a paddock" in 1998 from the federal government for $65 million, developing it into today's international airport and surrounding Majura precinct.
In 2015, Mr Snow and his family agreed to develop the new suburb of Denman Prospect in Canberra's west.
The Australian Financial Review lists Mr Snow as the 30th richest person in the country, with his wealth estimated at $4.09 billion.
Mr Snow was also an avid philanthropist, donating millions of dollars towards causes including homelessness and medical research.
Last year his Snow Medical Research Foundation awarded a $100 million investment to the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, in partnership with Royal Melbourne Hospital, to create a "world-leading" immunology research centre.
Mr Snow announced in May 2024 he would be stepping down as executive chairman of Canberra Airport and the Capital Property Group.
The family announced Mr Snow's death on Sunday evening, saying he died of natural causes.
He is survived by his wife Ginette, children Scarlett Gaffey, Tom Snow, Georgina Byron, and Stephen Byron, and 14 grandchildren.
Mr Snow's family have been heavily involved in his business and philanthropy, with Stephen Byron to continue as Canberra Airport's CEO, Tom Snow as the chair of the airport and the Snow Medical Research Foundation, Georgina Byron as CEO of the Snow Foundation, and Scarlett Gaffey as a director.
"I'm feeling heartbroken, Terry was such a wonderful, loving husband, father and grandfather," the family's statement read.
"He was an incredible man with such a passion for life. I'm so proud of his achievements and what he's contributed to our community."
Tributes flow
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr was among the first to pay tribute to Mr Snow.
"On behalf of the ACT government, we send out sincerest condolences to the Snow family on the loss of a great Canberran, Terry Snow," Mr Barr said.
"Terry leaves behind an incredible legacy that will be long remembered in our city.
"To his family, at this hard time, we send our deepest sympathy.
"Terry was an amazing person and lived a remarkable life. Vale Terry."
Mr Barr said Mr Snow was an integral figure in Canberra's development, and his death was "the end of an era" for the city.
"He's perhaps best known for his work at Canberra Airport and the complete transformation of that facility into the best small airport in the world," he said
"When Terry bought that airport, it was not crash hot. It is now a world-class facility.
"But I suspect most people will recognise the philanthropic contributions and the support to hundreds of local community organisations, who as a result of that support are able to do even more for our community."
Mr Barr said the government would discuss how to further honour Mr Snow's legacy with the Snow family in the coming weeks.
"He is already represented on our city's Honour Walk and has received a number of points of recognition over his life in Canberra," he said.
"But I know his family want to continue his tremendous legacy for the city, and we will certainly be having further discussions about how to do that."
'Everywhere you look there's a Terry Snow story'
Canberra developer John Gasson said Mr Snow had been an amazing friend for about 40 years, and while his passing was a sad day, in many ways he was a man who would "live on for generations".
"He's done so much for this town," Mr Gasson said.
"You often think about when people pass on, 'what is their story?' – everywhere you look in Canberra there's a Terry Snow story.
"He's touched people that nobody knows about – sure there's the public Snow Foundation, but so many things have happened without any fanfare at all."
Mr Gasson said one of Mr Snow's greatest strengths was his ability to relate to anybody.
"He could walk into any place and start up a conversation. That was the fantastic thing about Tez," he said
He said Mr Snow took his "good position" and used it to give people opportunities that others wouldn't – a legacy Mr Gasson hopes will continue.
"Hopefully people will reflect on his life and give back when they can," he said.
Hands Across Canberra CEO Genevieve Jacobs said Mr Snow showed great generosity and commitment to his home city.
"You make as much money as Terry Snow did, you could easily go for the high lights: 'yeah, we started in Canberra, but now we just based everything in Sydney or Melbourne'," Ms Jacobs said.
"But no, this was home, this was where he stayed, this was where he gave his money, this was where he raised his family.
"We need everyone to bring their gifts and their talents to make this a better city, and my goodness, Terry Snow did that for the whole of his 80 years."
Artist Jude Rae created a portrait of Mr Snow and his beloved dog China for the National Portrait Gallery in 2017.
"Terry wanted the dog to be in the painting, his dogs were very important to him," Ms Rae said.
"I think Terry was a tough businessman in the past and very canny, but by the time I met him, he was, to a certain degree, retired and so I guess I met a softer Terry maybe than the businessman who really built up Canberra Airport.
"I'm sad, and I'm sad for Ginette and his family. I'm sure he'll be greatly missed."
Editor's note 05/08/2024: A previous version of this story said the Snow Medical Research Foundation's $100 million investment to create an immunology centre was awarded only to the Royal Melbourne Hospital instead of in partnership with the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute. This has now been corrected.