Allan Scott dies

MOUNT Gambier trucking magnate, outspoken political critic and major sports sponsor Allan Scott has died.
Mr Scott, 84, one of South Australia's most powerful business figures, has been ill for several weeks, AdelaideNow reports.

The controversial figure, often referred to as the "grandfather of Mt Gambier", leaves behind an array of businesses in the transport, media and retail industries.

Family and friends have been maintaining a bedside vigil at Mt Gambier Private Hospital.

AdelaideNow understands he had part of one leg amputated because of complications associated with diabetes, and also suffered heart-related problems.

Mr Scott's children and wife, Grace, have been a constant presence along with Scott Group of Companies chief Bruce Grubb, who was recently appointed to oversee the business's day-to-day operations.

Port Adelaide Football Club, which has been sponsored by Mr Scott's business, Scott Transport, since the late 1990s, will issue a statement later today.

Morphettville Racecourse changed its name to Allan Scott Park in 1995 after Mr Scott injected funds into the complex.

South Australian Jockey Club chairman John Naffine said Mr Scott was "one of the truly great entrepreneurial South Australians, who has achieved outstanding success in both business and with his other passion of thoroughbred breeding and racing.

"The SAJC has been extremely grateful for his support over many years and we're proud that Morphettville bears his namem" he said.

"We are sincerely saddened by his passing and are thinking of his family, friends and colleagues at this time.

"He became one of the naming right sponsors just three years ago but he has had an interest in racing for a long time and has a large establishment in the South-East with a lot of horses.

"He's bought and raced a lot of horses from New Zealand in his time and the industry has benefited from his vision and development of many horses. He has contributed a lot to the industry.

"I will be meeting with the board members this evening to discuss ways in which we can further honour Mr Scott."

Mr Scott has been a vocal critic of successive State Governments, particularly former Liberal premier John Olsen.

However, most of his success revolved around the trucking industry, after Mr Scott started from humble beginnings, purchasing one truck 56 years ago in Milang.

Since then his business, the Scott Group of Companies, has grown to deliver an annual turnover of more than $1bn.