SA oil and gas founder dies day after birthday
A leading SA oil and gas stalwart died on Sunday, one of the state’s best-known businessmen remembering him as an “honourable and kind gentleman”.
Nick Smart, a founder of Vintage Energy, died peacefully in the early hours of Sunday morning, aged 79, company chairman Reg Nelson has confirmed.
Smart was a founder of the growing oil and gas company that is currently valued at $2 million and is in the pre-production phase on a number of Australian gas fields.
He was also “fundamental in the early fraught days” in building Beach Energy into the powerhouse company it is today, Nelson told InDaily, and inspired the creation of gold giant Ramelius Resources – now worth $5.5 billion.
Smart served Vintage Energy as a non-executive director from its incorporation in 2015. The business listed on the Australian Securities Exchange in 2017.
He retired due to ill health in December 2024. Smart was also a full associate member of the Sydney Future Exchange and was an alternate director for both Maximus Resources and Flinders Mines.
Nelson, who was managing director of SA oil and gas giant Beach Energy until 2015, said Smart “was an important part of the Vintage team from its beginning”.
“His loyal support and counsel were valued highly by the board as the company navigated its path from start-up to financing and first production,” Nelson said.
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“Moreover, Nick will be remembered most as an honourable and kind gentleman.
“On behalf of shareholders and my fellow directors, I wish to acknowledge the contribution Nick made to Vintage and express our sympathy and condolences to his wife, Rossie, their daughters and their families on their loss.”
Nelson added that Smart was “fundamentally, a decent person you could trust”.
“He’s a wonderful guy. I miss him very much.”
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