THE head of a family with one of the largest landholdings in the Tweed has officially graduated from Sydney University - 69 years after completing his degree.

Dr Harry Segal, who for many years was principal of the family company Gales Holdings, which owns development land around Kingscliff, attended his long-delayed graduation at the university on May 13.

He had completed his university medical course in March, 1942. But at the time, because he was not yet 21, the university could not confer the medical degree.

He was also denied medical registration until his birthday on July 26 that year, although he was allowed to work as a junior resident medical officer at Sydney Hospital.

By the time of the next ceremony, he was a captain in the Australian Army looking after a regiment of 750 soldiers in the field, and forgot all about not having graduated.

The matter remained forgotten until he inquired if there was going to be a 70-year reunion for graduates in 2012. The university was not aware of any other graduates of 1942, but offered him a personal graduation ceremony.

Despite leading his family in gaining a degree, he has followed them in officially graduating. Six of the seven adult members of his extended family are either doctors or masters in various faculties, and the remaining family member holds a Bachelor of Science degree.