User:Idhs/Sir Joseph McAvoy

Sir Francis Joseph "Joe" McAvoy CBE (26 January 1910 – 6 July 2002 ) was an Australian businessman involved with the sugar industry. His CBE was "For services to the sugar industry."

McAvoy has been described as a "colossus of the sugar industry". His involvement in the sugar industry spanned more than 60 years, with over 40 years as a sugar leader.

Early life
McAvoy was born in Charters Towers on 26 January 1910, the sixth child of seven born to William and Catherine McAvoy.

In 1909 McAvoy's father left the Charters Towers minefields to take up a caneland selection in the Daradgee area near Innisfail. Baby Joe, his mother and the rest of the family arrived in Daradgee in September 1910. As the selection was remote at the time, the family arrived at their new home on one of the chinese banana punts which ferried people along the crocodile infested waters of the North Johnstone River. In 1918 a severe cyclone flattened the family crop along with their house. The resilient McAvoys soon rebuilt a new house and farm a short distance away. That farm is still owned and farmed by the McAvoys today.

McAvoy was educated at Nudgee College in Brisbane, where he graduated with a senior certificate.

Experience
In 1930 McAvoy returned to take over the management of the farm in partnership with his yonger brother Jim. This 15 year management provided the invaluable experience in cane farming that lead to his future prominence in the industry.