The Queensland timber industry and many friends and associates across the Australian wood merchandising sector are mourning the loss this week in Brisbane of Peter Leddy, 79, a father figure in the respected Versace Timbers operation.
Peter was a devoted supporter of Timber Queensland and served on the board in the early days of TABMA Queensland (now the National Timber and Hardware Association).
In 1983, he brokered a deal with former employer Ron Versace to purchase Versace Timbers, a small timber merchant in the back blocks of Wavell Heights. For the company to grow, a new site was required, so Peter set out to find a suitable property in Virginia, close to the Brisbane CBD.
In 2005, the new site was up and running. Not long after this, with his four boys now in the business, Peter retired … “it was time to explore Australia”.
Founded in July 1956 by Ron Versace milling timber logs at Wavell Heights, Versace Timbers is today a family owned and operated timber supplier.
Managing director Graham Leddy, after graduating from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Commerce and working in a truss and frame plant at Geebung in Brisbane, he spent three years in Darwin working for a corporate bookmaker before joining the company then run by his father in 1998.
After learning the business under his father’s tutelage Graham took over the day-to-day running of the business with the assistance of his three brothers who look after the production plant, accounts and the Virginia operations. Versace Timbers now has a staff of 55 and operates out of more than 6000 sq m of yards and offices.
The company has a wide level of services to customers that include renovators, general builders, new home builders and resort builders, dealing in only in high quality sustainable timbers supplied by, among others, Hyne Timber, Tilling Timber, Simmonds Lumber, Carter Holt Harvey and ITI Queensland.
In 2012 the company was judged Best Building Materials Centre Metro at the Queensland Timber Awards.
“With more than 100 years of collective knowledge as timber wholesalers, our experience has shown us that over the years times do change, products do change and even faces do change,” reflected Graham Leddy.
“The one thing that should not change is service. We believe that dedicated support and ongoing attention to detail should never be outdated and for this philosophy we thank our dad.”
Peter Leddy was also a long-serving member of Brisbane Hoo-Hoo Club 218 carrying the Hoo-Hoo International badge number 83206. He served with the Australian Army during the Vietnam conflict in 1968.
Peter is survived by his wife of 55 years Kerry, his four boys, Graham, Bill, Doug and Josh, and 10 grandchildren.
Peter’s life will be celebrated at Pinnaroo Cemetery and Crematorium Chapel, 285 Graham Road, Bridgeman Downs, on Tuesday, December 23 at 11 am.
