UQ Gatton Gold Medal to Visy Industries chief

The Chief Executive of Visy Industries, Harry Debney, has been awarded the University of Queensland Gatton Gold Medal for 2001.

UQ Chancellor, Sir Llew Edwards, presented the prestigious medal at the Gatton Campus graduation ceremony on Friday (Dec 14). The medal recognises the contribution made to the community by a past UQ Gatton student.

The University Vice Chancellor Professor John Hay said Mr Debney was an outstanding candidate for the award which highlighted not only the valuable role of graduates but also the achievements of UQ Gatton as an educational provider.

Mr Debney first attended the Gatton campus in 1968, obtaining a Diploma in Agriculture. He then went on to complete an Honours degree in Applied Science. He served as President of the QAC Student’s Union and spent three years at the Campus tutoring in Agricultural Engineering.

He worked in the Queensland horticultural industry for 10 years at the Committee of Direction of Fruit Marketing, establishing the technical services group and becoming assistant general manager.

Mr Debney joined the paper recycling and packaging company, Visy Industries in 1983, holding a variety of positions with the company including Visy Board national produce marketing manager, Queensland General Manager and General Manager, Australasia.

In December 1999 he was appointed Melbourne-based Chief Executive Officer of Visy Industries responsible for a corporation with a turnover of $2.1 billion and 6500 employees.

For further information, contact Anthony Smith at UQ Gatton on (07) 5460 1229