Rankin loses battle with cancer

FormerFinancial Planning Association(FPA) chief executive officer Jock Rankin, 52, died yesterday morning after a long battle with cancer.

Rankin was chief executive of the FPA from 1994 to 1996 and was regarded as one of the key instigators in the association’s rise to prominence.

At the time of his resignation from the FPA, former president Bernie Walhe said, “Jock’s contribution (to the FPA) was nothing short of phenomenal.”

Senator Jim Short, who was responsible for the financial services industry in the first Howard Government, also speaking at the time of Rankin’s resignation said “he has done much for the FPA”.

Rankin was diagnosed with cancer last year and initially responded to treatment, returning to his position as executive director of the Victorian division of the Property Council.

Despite leaving the FPA, he was closely involved in devising ways the council could work with the FPA and last year proposed the two bodies should talk about areas of common interest.

After leaving the FPA, Rankin become the chief executive of the Institute of Actuaries until 1999 when he left to join the Property Council.

Prior to moving into senior management roles, Rankin had a long career in broadcasting working for the ABC, Channel 7 and the Nine Network.

He worked on programs such asFour Corners, AM and PM, SBS Current Affairsand theSunday Program.

In 1988 he was appointed director of news and current affairs at ABC television in Victoria, a position he held until 1993.

Rankin is survived by his wife, Victorian Education Minister Mary Delahunty and his two teenage children, Nicholas and Olivia. His funeral service will be held on Monday at St Carthage’s Catholic Church in Parkville, Melbourne.