His final day at Heidelberg was last Friday (30 April). Grace told ProPrint the time felt right to retire.  

“I’ve had a wonderful time, but I’m 62, and I thought if I don’t do it now then I’ll never do it,” he said.

Grace said he would now concentrate on consulting and other activities within the industry. 

“It’s a great opportunity to do the things I do now, but for different people. I really want to give something back to the industry I’ve gotten so much from. The industry is still my life.”

Grace said he is looking to continue his work in running training courses, as well as serving on the judging panel for the LIA Graduate of the Year Awards.

“I’m also going to do a little bit of consulting, even though I know the industry needs another consultant like a hole in the head,” he said.

Grace, who was manager of education and special projects at Heidelberg Australia, has been in print since 1964.

He started as an apprentice making lithographic plates, before printing maps for the army as a national serviceman.

He said he found his calling as an educator when he joined Sydney TAFE’s printing school, staying in the job for 18 years.

“That was a niche in life that really suited me. Being with people and educating people, I still love it,” he said.

In 1989, Grace joined Seligson and Clare (since acquired by Heidelberg) in a training role for its sales staff and printing instructors.

Grace said the thing he would miss most was working with the people of Heidelberg.

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