A Life Well Lived: Terry Snow Dies Aged 80

Canberra developer Terry Snow died at the weekend aged 80 years. 

The billionaire philanthropist, animal enthusiast and ACT native was the son of Canberra’s first general store owner and from humble beginnings became one of Australia’s most successful developers. 

As leader of the Capital Property Group, Mr Snow most notably purchased Canberra Airport from the Federal Government in 1998 and developed it into a world-class aviation hub.

Mr Snow only announced his retirement from his executive chairman role at the airport in May.

He also undertook projects at Constitution Place, developing the commercial precinct just a few hundred metres from the location of his father’s general store, which was opened in Sydney Place in 1927, as well as Denman Prospect, a Molonglo Valley masterplanned community.

But it was not just within property that Mr Snow thrived.

He learnt to ride horses aged 65, according to a statement from his family, and was passionate about equestrian sports, with his horse Quincy B, ridden by Jayden Brown, competing with the Australian dressage team at the Paris Olympics at the weekend. 

Despite new interests, he could not shake his developer roots entirely, buying land at Bawley Point on the NSW South Coast, building the 810ha Willinga Park, a world-class equestrian facility.

▲ Capital Airport Group acquired the 99-year lease from the Australian government in 1998 for $65 million.

Mr Snow was also well-known as a philanthropist, establishing The Snow Foundation in 1991 alongside brother George. 

Tributes poured in on Sunday, with the Australian Airport Association saying that Mr Snow helped transform Canberra Airport into a top destination.

“Terry transformed the precinct into a world-class aviation hub and invested significantly to bring airport facilities into the modern era,” it said.

“Thank you for your generosity, your vision and the long-term legacy that you have built for Australia,” said Snow Medical, The Snow Foundation’s offshoot.

▲ Denman Prospect is reportedly the first Australian suburb to have a minimum requirement for solar-power generation on every home.

According to a statement from his family, which includes wife Ginette, children Scarlett, Tom, Georgina, and Stephen, and 14 grandchildren, he was a true entrepreneur and followed his ideas “doggedly, taking risks and pushing the boundaries of architectural design”.

“Terry’s life was so much more than a property developer and philanthropist,” they said in the statement on Sunday. 

“He was a family man and a man who sought adventures and immense challenges. He packed an enormous amount into his 80 years. He was an avid fisherman and bushwalker and loved camping with his family. He was an aeroplane and helicopter pilot, and he took up cycling in his 40s and rode across Australia. He also sailed around Australia.

“Terry leaves a legacy of kindness, philanthropy and business excellence.”