Vale Emeritus Prof. Harry Lovell

The Australian Institute of Packaging has announced with great sadness that one of its key foundational members, Emeritus Professor Harry Lovell OAM, FIFST CSC, F.INST PKG SCS, FAIFST, FAIP, passed away on 12 September 2022.

“Harry has closed his final packaging textbook after 92 amazing years after devoting his entire life to furthering education; starting in the UK and then through the AIP in the Australasian region,” the AIP statement read.

“Harry’s technical knowledge and packaging expertise was unparalleled and his kindness and grace was second to none. So many of us have memories about passionate technical discussions and debates with Harry in the corners of a conference and how you always walked away learning something new.”

Some of the highlights of Harry’s career include:

• Receiving the World Packaging Organisation (WPO) Lifetime Achievement Award, which was presented in Australia in front of his peers (2018) — as pictured above.
• Receiving an Order of Australia for his work with the packaging industry, in particular for the AIP. This was nominated by his peers (2008).
• Being instrumental in bringing the IOM3 Diploma in Packaging Technology and Certificate of Packaging to the Australasian region.
• Establishing the Harry Lovell Award for students who graduate with distinction from the Diploma in Packaging Technology course.
• A Fellowship to the Australian Institute of Packaging.
• A Founders Award for his significant contribution to the AIP.
• A Life Membership to the AIP.
• Being the AP Education Director for over a decade.
• AIP President in (1995–8) and again in (2004–5).
• AIP Vice President (1993–1995).
• Being responsible for the creation of the Southern Cross Awards for students.
• Tutoring hundreds of packaging professionals through the Diploma and Certificate courses.
• Being awarded the prestigious designation of Chartered Scientist from the UK for his work in packaging in Australia and overseas after being nominated by the Institute of Packaging in the UK.
• Being a designated Chartered Scientist under the Institute of Food Science and Technology (UK).
• Vice Chancellor of Gatton College University of Qld (1994–95) and a Director (1991–1995).
• A Professor in the Department of Food Studies (1990).
• The Dean of Food Studies Qld Agriculture College (1981).
• Principle Lecturer and Head of Food Technology and Department Head of Faculty Food Blackpool College of Technology and Art (1978).

“There will never be another Harry Lovell and we hope that he knew how much he meant to all of us in the industry. He was a mentor to so many and will be sadly missed.”