In 2008 , '' The Sydney Morning Herald '' described him as " one of the country 's best-connected businessmen " and dubbed him " Mr Networks " for being " arguably Sydney 's most networked man . " A profile in 2010 by Australian author and '' Herald '' columnist , Malcolm Knox said that Gonski is " a quiet man , in some ways invisible , and cleaves to the shadows . If he were to draw a self-portrait , Gonski would get more use out of an eraser than a pencil . " Gonski was born in Cape Town , South Africa and his family migrated to Australia in 1961 in the wake of the Sharpeville massacre . Gonski 's father , Alexander , was a neurosurgeon of Polish background and a founding member of the New South Wales Golf Club at La Perouse . His mother is Helene Blume . In a 2010 interview , Gonski recalls that one of his earliest recollections was his mother buying a lithograph by Australian artist , Charles Blackman ; commenting that " ... there 's no doubt that my love for Australian art came from her . " Gonski is Jewish . He attended Sydney Grammar School and the University of New South Wales , where he graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1976 , and a Bachelor of Laws degree ( with the University Medal ) in 1977
Sharpeville massacre
Sharpeville massacre
David Gonski