Former SPC director and businessman John Corboy dies

The company was facing multi-million-dollar losses when shareholders voted out the old board and installed new directors, including Mr Corboy.

He and fellow directors worked with the employees to develop a wage cut and change to employment practices which eventually led to the company returning to profit.

Mr Corboy, 71, had suffered from emphysema in recent years and died on Saturday in Brisbane where he had been living and working.

Former fellow SPC director, Andrew Prentice, recalled him as a remarkable leader with the ability to communicate across any barrier and engage people at all levels.

“He could talk to the premier of the state on a day, and the next day, be back on the orchard talking to a fruit picker.”

“He was a mentor to me, and a leader in so many community projects.”

Mr Corboy took a leading role in the development of The Bridge youth services, was engaged in developing programs for indigenous employment, and led the Goulburn Valley opposition to the relaxation of import restrictions on apples in a bid to protect the fruit industry from fire blight.

“He was generous with other people and to the community; probably at his own expense,” Mr Prentice said.

Co-chair of the Foodbowl Modernisation Project, publisher Ross McPherson, remembered him as a bright individual with an ability to quickly assess a person's character.

“He had a distilled wisdom and a great knack for using a story to illustrate what the issue was.”

Farmer and former irrigation lobby group president Dudley Bryant found him to be an open leader who was well read, but also well grounded without any airs or graces.

Mr Corboy was known for refusing to wear a tie, even on delegations to Spring St, Melbourne or Canberra.

He was also a loyal colleague.

“If you ever had to go to war, he would be the bloke to have your back."

Mr Corboy is survived by wife, Kerry, sons Dan, Peter and Mick and seven grandchildren.