Dr. Harry Triguboff

Australia’s biggest residential property developer, Harry Triguboff AO, has been awarded an honorary doctorate from Griffith University at a graduation ceremony on the Gold Coast. 

Mr Triguboff is Chairman and Managing Director of Meriton Apartments Pty Ltd which has built almost 50,000 homes, most of which are townhouses and apartments. He has focused much of his business interest on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane, as well as Sydney’s central business district.

Vice Chancellor, Professor Ian O’Connor, said Griffith University was very pleased to recognise Mr Triguboff’s immense contribution to the community, the construction industry, the Gold Coast and the University.

“Mr Triguboff is one of the Australia’s most important and successful businessmen and someone who has been a great supporter of different charities,” Professor O’Connor said.

A delighted Mr Triguboff said the Doctor of University (DUniv) honour came as a complete surprise.

“I never expected it and definitely think you are too kind,” he said.

While congratulating Griffith students graduating in science, engineering, environment and technology degrees, Mr Triguboff reminded them they have acquired much more than just a qualification.

“Universities are a place where we are educated to think; where we learn to be disciplined,” Mr Triguboff said.

“Out there it is not a matter of how well you have done in your exams. What is important from now on is how well you will apply the knowledge that you acquired here.”

Mr Triguboff was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1999 for service to the community as a philanthropist, and to the residential construction industry. He was also the first person to win Australia’s Property Person of the Year award twice; in 2003 and again in 2009.

While walking around Griffith’s Gold Coast campus, Mr Triguboff stopped to remark on the extensive building projects which are underway.

“I feel at home here at Griffith,” he said. “It’s a construction site with four cranes”.

250 million dollars’ worth of development is currently being undertaken on the Gold Coast campus including a $150m Health Centre, a $30m library extension and a new $30m Business building.