VALE BEN LEYBOURNE 13/10/1930 – 6/08/2017

Fellow Auto Parts Recyclers,

It is with much regret that I am notifying you of the passing of one of our greats of the Automotive Parts Recycling Industry of Australia. Ben Leybourne passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday after a couple of trying year’s health wise.

Ben and family built what later became known as Brisbane Commercial Recyclers in Fleming Road Hemmant. He was a hardworking, honest true innovator of our industry who was respected by all.

From humble beginnings and supported by his wonderful wife Margery, they worked day and night converting swamp land to a magnificent hard stand facility of many acres. Many of us got to know Ben and Margery much more on a fact finding trip (organised by Ian Thorpe-Think Software) that 42 Aussies and Kiwis participated in in 1994, at 64 he was still learning and looking for new and better ways to operate.  Not long after this they went on to win the APRAA Best Yard in Australia award.

Ben is survived by sons David and Peter and daughters Jennifer and Margaret as well as his grandchildren, Ben, Claire, Alex, Charlize, Jacob and Henry. Many would describe Ben as “salt of the earth”          

Lawrie Beacham,
Jeeepart Recyclers Qld/Vic,
MTAQ APRD Chair.