Flower Power

From the Sydney Morning Herald

After a copping a few pushy questions at his last annual meeting as an executive, the Westfield chairman, Frank Lowy, finally appeared to get some respect yesterday when one of the shopping centre group's cleaners was handed a microphone.

''I'd like to congratulate Frank Lowy on a fantastic career and for all you have done for our community,'' Cathy Daniels said. Daniels and one of her colleagues then presented Lowy with a bunch of flowers as a token of their appreciation.

But with Daniels wearing a Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union polo top, Lowy's facial expression seemed to be aware that it was not all roses. And he was right.

''There is more and more pressure to work harder and harder,'' Daniels told him.

''It's a real struggle for me,'' she said, talking of paying for groceries. Daniels asked for Lowy to meet the cleaners to hear them out. Lowy responded: ''It would be a pleasure for me, ah, to facilitate this kind of meeting for you.''

''A senior member of our company will be talking to you,'' said Australia's sixth-richest individual.

He shook Daniels's hand after the meeting to thank her for the flowers.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/business/biotech-boss-gets-his-timing-right-20110525-1f49s.html#ixzz1NRSXd7fF