Australia’s mailing houses are ‘saddened’ by the passing of powerful industry lobbyist, John Gillroy, who represented mailers with ‘major fights with the Australia Post’. The funeral for the 77-year-old man will be  at Allen Drew Chapel, 221 Old Northern Road, Castle Hill, Sydney – on Friday, April 24 at 2pm. Speaking with Australian Printer, director of The Mailing House, Lindsay May, who worked with Gillroy on a number of cases, says he was a ‘larger than life character who represented mailers achieving great things’, and will be greatly missed.

From left to right -Terry Daly, Salmat; Bob Carr; Heros Dilanchian and John Gillroy

John became the executive officer of the Major Mail Users of Australia in the 90s until 2008, and among others fought Australia Post’s controversial barcoding measures, which was going to cost the mailing houses. He says Australia Post’s initiative barcoding system forced mailing houses to buy new equipment and new software to ensure they could place the new barcodes, provided by the mail carrier, on every letter ‘just so Australia Post could sort the mail more efficiently’. May says, “Even though he was a tough bargainer, he was a fair and honest man. He made sure that both sides of the argument were considered, and represented mailers at every step of the way and got some big wins for them too. “Mailing houses around Australia will be very saddened to hear that John has left us because he was quite a remarkable larger than life character, who enjoyed the fight with Australia Post, where he also had many friends. May says there will be a big turnout for the funeral and urges those attending to look for more details on the obituary listings.

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