Sam Lipski was the Chief Executive of The Pratt Foundation, the philanthropic trust of the Pratt family and the Visy Group of companies, since November, 1998.

The Victorian government appointed him as President of the Board of the State Library of Victoria, in which capacity he served from June 2000 until June 2006.

Sam's journalistic career began in 1961 and has included television, radio, newspapers and magazines. He has been a television news reporter for GTV-9 (1961-1964), Canberra correspondent, the Nine Network and the Sydney Daily Telegraph (1964-5), feature writer and foreign editor, The Bulletin, (1965-1966).

Foundation producer, This Day Tonight ABC-TV (1967), executive producer, Four Corners ABC-TV (1968).

Washington correspondent, The Australian (1969-1973), and Washington correspondent, the Jerusalem Post (1970-1973).

On his return to Melbourne from Washington he became the Australian correspondent, the Washington Post (1973-1974), foreign affairs columnist, The Australian, (1973-4), foreign affairs columnist, the Sydney Daily Telegraph, (1976-77), executive editor, Quadrant magazine (1976), editor Australia-Israel Review (1976-1980), news commentator Radio 3AW, Melbourne (1980-1982).

Television political, foreign affairs and media commentator, Sunday and Today programs, National Nine Network, (1982-1988), Melbourne correspondent, The Bulletin (1982-1985), news commentator, Radio 3AK, Melbourne, (1983-1985), foreign affairs and media columnist, The Bulletin (1985-1992).

Editor-in-chief and executive publisher, the Australian Jewish News (1987-1998), foundation publisher, the Jerusalem Report, Israel (1989-90), media commentator, The Australian, (1992-1994), columnist, the Melbourne Age and the Sydney Morning Herald (1994-95).

In addition to his journalism Sam Lipski has contributed essays and articles to a variety of books and international publications, scripted award winning television documentaries, and developed a mini-series for television - The Petrov Affair (Nine Network) - as an associate producer.

He currently contributes a regular column to the Australian Jewish News.

In 1982 the Australian broadcasting industry recognised Sam Lipski as National News Commentator of the Year.

In 1992 he was the Edward Wilson Visiting Fellow in Journalism at Deakin University, Victoria.

In 1993 he became a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his services to the Media, and in 2001 he was awarded the Centenary Medal by the Commonwealth of Australia.

Sam Lipski has held a wide range of positions in advisory, community and voluntary associations including:

• Trustee, Australian Refugee Foundation (1999-present).
• Member Australia-Israel Scientific Exchange Foundation (1999-present);
• Member, Advisory Board of the Brain Sciences Institute, Swinburne University of Technology (1998-present);
• Member Advisory Committee Centre for the Mind - ANU and Sydney University (1998-present);
• Member of Swinburne University of Technology Council (1997-present);
• President, State Library of Victoria (2000-2006)
• Member of King David School Education Advisory Committee (1999-2001);
• Member of the Federal Government’s Advisory Committee on Promotion Australia (1983-1984);
• Member of the Federal Government’s Ethnic Affairs Advisory Council (1979-1980);
• Vice President, Bialik College School Council (1975-1980).