The Australian direct mail industry has lost one of its greatest advocates, John Gillroy, who has died aged 77 after decades lobbying Australia Post.

Gillroy served as executive officer of industry group Major Mail Users Australia from the 1990s until its dissolution in 2011, and was chief executive of its successor the Communications Alliance.

He led the charge against price increases on stamps and bulk mail, was instrumental in establishing the Bulk Mail Partner program in 2004, and worked out many deals with Australia Post to keep mail viable.

[Related: More direct mail news]

The Mailing House director Lindsay May, who worked with Gilroy on a number of cases, says he was an ‘amazing character who lead a remarkable and fascinating life’ and will be greatly missed.

“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,” he says.

“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.

Lamson Paragon general manager Rodney Frost says Gillroy was instrumental in the original work done with Australia Post and the ACCC around the price increase process.

“John was a tenacious man who would always call a spade a spade. He is not to be forgotten,” he says.

May urges members of the industry and all who knew him to attend his funeral on Friday at Allen Drew Chapel, 221 Old Northern Road, Castle Hill, Sydney at 2pm.

“We should aim for a big turnout to remember John and what he did for our industry,” he says.

Comment below to have your say on this story.

If you have a news story or tip-off, get in touch at editorial@sprinter.com.au.  

Sign up to the Sprinter newsletter