| Royce Abbey | |
| Birth Name: | Albert Henry Royce Abbey |
| Birth Date: | 8 June 1922 |
| Birth Place: | Footscray, Victoria |
| Death Place: | Melbourne, Victoria |
| Nationality: | Australian |
| Known For: | President of Rotary International |
| Employer: | Dural Leeds, Hunter Douglas |
| Occupation: | Businessman |
| Spouse: | Jean Abbey (nee Jean Armstrong) |
Royce Abbey (8 June 1922 – 20 February 2014) was an Australian who was President of Rotary International in 1988–89.[1]
Royce Abbey was educated at state primary and secondary schools in Footscray, Victoria. When he left school in his mid-teens he worked as a shoeshine boy and messenger at a shoe shop and then in a real estate agency. In 1941, he enlisted in the Australian Army and was deployed in New Guinea and New Britain during World War II. He was awarded a Distinguished Service Medal (Australia) for bravery and leadership during fighting. He was later commissioned as a lieutenant.[1] [2] [3]
After the war, he joined his brother in a family-owned window shades manufacturing business, Dural Leeds, which was later taken over by the multinational company Hunter Douglas. After 5 years as marketing director for Hunter Douglas, he established his own business, Abbey Marketing.[1] [2] [3]
Royce Abbey joined the Rotary Club of Essendon in 1954, becoming Club President in 1963-64 and District 280 (9800) Governor in 1969–70. He was elected to the Rotary International Board in 1976-77 and served as vice-president in 1977–78. He was inaugural chairman of the Board of Australian Rotary Health from 1982 to 1988.[4] In 1988-89 he became President of Rotary International. His time as president included the continued development of the Polio Plus campaign for Poliomyelitis eradication and the re-establishment of Rotary Clubs in countries from the former Soviet Union.[1] [2] [3]
Royce Abbey was involved in a number of other community service activities, including:[1] [2]
The Rotary District Governors of 1988/1989 decided to create the Royce & Jean Endowed Fund in recognition of Abbey's work within the organization. The fund finances agricultural and related scholarships in Asia-Pacific. Applicants spend three months in Australia with a $10K funding to undermine practical training.[5]
Royce Abbey received the following honours:[1] [2] [3]