After almost a decade at the helm of the History Trust of South Australia, Greg Mackie has officially stepped aside, but don’t expect him to fade quietly into the archives. Sharp, witty, and endlessly curious, Greg has spent a lifetime sparking ideas, shaping culture and leaving every room just a little more interesting than he found it.
He’s often been labelled the ideas man, and with good reason. But those who know him best would argue he’s also the rarest kind of public figure, a giant thinker with the smarts to get things done and the heart to bring people with him.
“I think I’ve paid my dues,” Greg said.
“I’ve been working 60 hours a week for 45 years. I’ve earned the right to choose what and when I’ll next dance.”
That dance, at least for now, includes restoring land with his partner Jonathan on the tip of the Fleurieu, where 30,000 native trees now stand tall. It also means mentoring others, sitting on a few special boards, and spending more time focusing on wellbeing.
“Life isn’t a dress rehearsal,” he said explaining why he’s chosen to retire much sooner than many.
Greg’s career spans decades of public service, including his time as Executive Director of Arts SA and Deputy Chief Executive in the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. But it was his tenure at the History Trust where his passion for story and strategy found perfect alignment.
One moment stands out above the rest.
“Getting the money to move the Smith Brothers’ Vickers Vimy Aeroplane into the new Adelaide Airport terminal, with a $7 million exhibition of world significance. I hope every South Australian can be proud of that.”
The exhibition, launched in 2019, marked the centenary of the Great Air Race.
“It’s considered by aviation historians to have been the 1919 equivalent of man landing on the moon,” Greg said.
“Tens of thousands more people now get to learn just how incredible that flight was.”
When asked if being a big dreamer had helped or hindered him, Greg smiled.
“Fly enough kites and one of them is going to take to the air. I’ve never been short of ideas. The trick is building a coalition and getting people excited.”
That ability to mobilise support has been a hallmark of Greg’s leadership style. But he’s quick to credit Adelaide itself.
“We’re too big to be small and too small to be big. There’s always someone you know who knows someone, and that helps get things off the ground.”
As for what he believes South Australia has only just scratched the surface of, Greg doesn’t hesitate.
“In 2036, we’ll mark 200 years of government here. But we need to polish up our stories. That starts with First Nations communities, then moves through our planned migration, our democratic legacy, and our spirit of invention. There’s so much young people have never learned.”
Greg is particularly proud of the work the History Trust has done to address that gap.
“We’ve invested in online resources for teachers and students that bring South Australian stories into the classroom. You don’t have to visit a museum anymore to access our history.”
He’s also passionate about ideas.
“If we rebooted the Festival of Ideas tomorrow, the theme would be scarcity and abundance. Because that’s the story of our state—ambition thriving despite limited resources, especially in politics and leadership.”
South Australia, he says, has always punched above its weight when bold ideas meet bold leadership.
“I was 12 when Don Dunstan’s government was first elected. It was an exciting time to be coming into political awareness. Don was a giant. He had the audacity to stare down the naysayers and lead from the front.”
When asked about the biggest untold story in SA’s history, Greg pointed to Premier Sir Thomas Playford.
“He was a radical conservative who nationalised power to enable industrial growth. That’s leadership. It wasn’t focus groups. It was vision.”
As for retirement? It’s not quite a closed curtain.
“There is a place for passing the baton. I’ve always mentored others and I’ll keep doing that. But now, there’s fresh air, trees, and maybe—finally—time to read one of the thousands of books I never got around to at Imprints.”
