Evan Thornley, a Melbourne-based entrepreneur and former Victorian Labor MP, is confronting a terminal diagnosis with a perspective rooted in his Orthodox Jewish faith and longstanding commitment to social enterprise. Known for founding 14 startups, including the notable social venture Goodstart, Thornley has recently passed the leadership of his latest company, LongView, to longtime friend and business partner James Hooke amid his health challenges.
LongView, launched to simplify residential property investment for everyday Australians, pools investor funds to purchase and manage homes, enabling returns without the operational demands of traditional landlords. While some critics have questioned the complexity and long-term costs of its shared-equity model, Thornley has defended the approach and emphasized the company’s broader social mission. A significant portion of their latest fund is dedicated to a rental transformation strategy aimed at providing below-market-rate housing for sole parents, helping to offer greater stability for vulnerable families.
Thornley’s Jewish faith, which he embraced fully through an Orthodox conversion in 2014 and marked by adopting the Hebrew name Lev Yonatan, has provided a framework for facing his mortality. He credits the religious tradition with teaching the value of contemplating death to truly appreciate life’s preciousness. Despite the gravity of his illness, Thornley expressed gratitude for the friendships forged in challenging times and confidence in the future of his projects under new leadership.
James Hooke, LongView’s incoming CEO and former executive at Macquarie Group and Fairfax Media, described his response to Thornley’s prognosis as a mix of shock and resolve to realize their shared vision. He praised Thornley’s intellect and social commitment, noting their close daily collaboration since meeting in 2018.
Beyond his entrepreneurial efforts, Thornley has been vocal about rising antisemitism in Australia and the evolving security concerns facing the Jewish community. Living near a Jewish kindergarten that has required armed guards for years, he critiqued institutional responses and reflected on historical patterns of Jewish migration amid persecution. Thornley expressed that many of his friends are relocating to Israel, as they grapple with whether to remain in Australia or leave for safety.
Central to Thornley’s reflections is his role as a father. Having raised his three daughters largely as a single parent following his divorce, he cited them as his greatest pride and acknowledged the personal sacrifices his public and entrepreneurial life entailed. He recalled a bedtime story character he created to impart moral lessons, underscoring his focus on passing values to the next generation.
For Thornley, legacy transcends business ventures or material achievements. It lies in the transmission of moral values—a commitment he views as the most vital battle of his life, one he believes he has won as he looks toward his children and grandchildren.