Kerry Stokes Quotes

Powerful Kerry Stokes for Daily Growth

About Kerry Stokes

Kerry Stokes, born on February 19, 1945, in Perth, Western Australia, is a renowned Australian media magnate, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. His diverse career spans over six decades, marked by significant contributions to various sectors including broadcasting, mining, and education. Stokes' early life was defined by his entrepreneurial spirit. He left school at 15 to work as a telegram boy and later founded his first company at the age of 20. His interest in radio broadcasting led him to purchase a local Perth station in the 1970s, marking the beginning of his media empire, known today as the Seven West Media Limited. Stokes' influence on Australian media is substantial. He has been instrumental in shaping the landscape, with key acquisitions and ventures such as the purchase of the Perth-based TV station, SWT-9 in 1973, which later became part of the Seven Network. His company also owns The West Australian newspaper, Australia's oldest daily newspaper. Stokes' philanthropic endeavors include the creation of the Stokes Education Foundation and the establishment of the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) Western Australia in 2015. He is also a significant benefactor to various charities, particularly those focusing on youth welfare, education, and medical research. Kerry Stokes' life and career reflect his strong business acumen, resilience, and vision. His impact on Australian media, education, and philanthropy continues to grow, making him a prominent figure in the country's cultural landscape.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Success is not about money, it's about making a difference."

Kerry Stokes' quote underscores that success transcends material wealth and encompasses the ability to positively impact others or make a meaningful difference in the world. In essence, true success lies not only in financial gain but also in contributing to the betterment of society, whether by solving problems, inspiring change, or uplifting people's lives.


"The key to success is to focus our energy on opportunities rather than obstacles."

This quote by Kerry Stokes emphasizes the importance of maintaining a proactive, positive outlook in pursuit of success. Instead of dwelling on challenges or setbacks (obstacles), he encourages us to channel our efforts towards seizing opportunities that can lead to growth and achievement. By focusing on possibilities rather than limitations, we position ourselves for greater success and fulfillment in our personal and professional lives.


"In life, you don't get what you wish for, you get what you work for."

Kerry Stokes' quote emphasizes that success, happiness, or any other desired outcome in life is not achieved through mere wishes but through hard work and dedication. In essence, it suggests that one must put in effort and take action to realize their goals; desiring something isn't enough – you have to earn it.


"Don't wait for opportunity, create it."

The quote by Kerry Stokes, "Don't wait for opportunity, create it," encourages individuals to take proactive steps in shaping their own destiny rather than passively waiting for opportunities to come their way. It emphasizes the importance of self-motivation, initiative, and creativity in driving personal success and growth. This quote can be a powerful reminder that if one desires something, they should not merely hope for it to happen, but instead, take the necessary actions to make it a reality.


"Entrepreneurship is about turning what is already known into something better."

Kerry Stokes' quote emphasizes that entrepreneurship isn't about inventing new things from scratch, but rather it's about taking existing knowledge and improving upon it, making it more efficient, effective, or valuable. This process could involve refining an idea, creating a better product, streamlining a service, or optimizing an operational method. Essentially, it encourages continuous innovation to make the world a little bit better than how we found it.


Ethics or simple honesty is the building blocks upon which our whole society is based, and business is a part of our society, and it's integral to the practice of being able to conduct business, that you have a set of honest standards.

- Kerry Stokes

Simple, Practice, Part, Standards

I'm lucky I had signposts in my life. At important times, I got pointed in the right direction by particular circumstances.

- Kerry Stokes

My Life, Lucky, Had, Pointed

I am a pretty tough nut, I guess, and I love art as one of the expressions that probably appeals to my softer side that a lot of people would deny I had.

- Kerry Stokes

Love, Art, Pretty, Expressions

With WesTrac, you have real people doing real jobs with real problems and real opportunities, and you touch the metal, and it's like being grounded.

- Kerry Stokes

Doing, Like, Real People, Real Problems

I haven't got a problem with scrutiny. If it gets hot in the kitchen, don't cook a meal. People should be able to criticise us - it's completely appropriate.

- Kerry Stokes

Cook, Scrutiny, Appropriate, Kitchen

If you have a difficult message to deliver in any circumstance, it's always best to do it first up-front, and probably be a bit harder than you have to be because it's always easier to be nicer afterwards.

- Kerry Stokes

Always, Deliver, Afterwards, Circumstance

I've been very lucky because Perth has been very good to me. I've enjoyed my journey and met so many wonderful people.

- Kerry Stokes

Lucky, Been, Very, My Journey

At one stage, I didn't have any money, so I slept on the streets for a few nights. It wasn't uncommon in the 1950s, and it wasn't uncommon to be out of money. There wasn't anywhere to go to get money.

- Kerry Stokes

Go, Streets, Anywhere, Slept

I ended up in Broadmeadows orphanage - I don't know how that happened - whether she gave me up for adoption or the church was responsible. Whatever happened, she was a single mum.

- Kerry Stokes

Church, Mum, Happened, Adoption

I hate profile photos.

- Kerry Stokes

Hate, Photos, Profile

Our balance sheet provides us with the ability to act on investment opportunities in appropriate areas that diversify and broaden our portfolio, including the gas and energy sector.

- Kerry Stokes

Including, Appropriate, Gas

Every father loves their children. I love my two sons very dearly. The only thing that is important to me is that they do what they want to do. They shouldn't feel a sense of obligation.

- Kerry Stokes

Love, The Only Thing, Very, Obligation

You can choose a direction that will take you into something that isn't going to take you where you want to go, or you can choose another direction which is down the right pathway.

- Kerry Stokes

Will, Going, Which, Pathway

I have a fear of public speaking. It's very hard work. Words are not my skill, and because they're not my skill, I have to work doubly hard.

- Kerry Stokes

Work, Words, Very, Skill

I just decided that I wasn't going to gain anything by going to school, since we couldn't afford it anyway, so I left school very early and went to work and progressively did things.

- Kerry Stokes

Work, Going, Very, Anyway

I don't wish hardship on anybody. My background was one of being very difficult, very hard, and they were subject to the times I lived in. I wouldn't wish that on anybody.

- Kerry Stokes

Anybody, Very, Subject, Background

I have always been comfortable that no one has been able to assess what I really have.

- Kerry Stokes

Comfortable, Always, Been, Assess

I know about photography - I'm really good at it.

- Kerry Stokes

Good, Know, About, Photography

Frankly, if you can sell something at $80 a tonne that cost you $20 a tonne, you might want to sell as much as you can.

- Kerry Stokes

Cost, Sell, Might, Frankly

If you have a difficult marriage, it's the hard times that make it better. If you have a relationship, it's the hard times that actually make it better, and that goes for life as well.

- Kerry Stokes

Life, Goes, Difficult, Hard Times

You can be involved in media, and you can be involved in all the handbag hurling that goes along with it, and it's a different world.

- Kerry Stokes

World, Along, Involved, Different World

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