Former Liberal Party president John Elliott died last night at 79yo. Elliot had a fall and had been ill for a few weeks, his son broadcaster Tom Elliott said. Elliott was a big name in the business world – he acquired jam maker IXL, agriculture pillar Elders, and bought Calton United Breweries, ultimately propelling Foster’s into a global beer brand. He became an influential figure in Canberra as the federal president of the Liberal Party from 1987 to 1990 and was also treasurer and vice-president of the Liberal Party in Victoria. But in his hometown of Melbourne, he was best known for his 20-year reign as the president of the Carlton football club. Tributes have flowed in with Treasurer Josh Frydenberg describing Elliott as a great Victorian Liberal. “He was a larger than life figure who will be greatly missed,” he said. Former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett said his friend was a “loud, colourful and committed Liberal who redefined corporate, political and sporting life in Australia”.