18 July 2023
Vale Graeme Disney OAM JP
It is with much sadness that we advise you of the passing of one of Sandringham Yacht Clubs all-time favourite Members, Graeme Disney. Known universally as Mr.Diz, Graeme departed our shores peacefully on Saturday 15 July 2023.
Graeme was an incredibly well-known figure not just at SYC, but right throughout the local community. In 2006, Graeme was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in recognition for his service to the community of Sandringham, contributing to a range of local government, yachting, church and local history organisations. It was these things, along with family, that were the five main aspects of his life.
We pay tribute to the Sandringham Yacht Club (SYC) aspects of Graeme’s life and his incredible contribution to our Club.
A local lad, Graeme lived his whole life in Hampton. He started sailing at SYC with Carl De Fina in 1955 in a heavy weight Sharpie. He joined as a junior the following year just in time for the Olympics. He was proposed by the Commodore of the day, Aub (A.D.) Mackenzie and seconded by life member Charlie Smith. Graeme said ‘these were exciting times, with many international visitors, and I will never forget my conversations with Rickard Sarby, designer of the Finn Class, and Paul Elvstrom, winner of the gold medal’.
This started a life-long involvement with SYC and over the years Graeme sailed on a wide range of keelboats with the likes of Derek Duncan, Keith Ellis, John Chatham, David Strong and Paul Jacka. Graeme owned a gaff-rigged couta boat named ‘Florence’ that’s now more than 90 years old. The Disney family have owned her themselves for over 50 years and all Graeme’s boys, Chris, Nick and Tim, all grew up on her. She is a Club treasure.
During his time at SYC Graeme filled countless honorary roles. His caring manner, dedication, well-researched and considered approach are all factors that made him so brilliant in these respective roles.
We start with Graeme’s role as Club Chaplain. It was in this capacity that he performed his legendary ‘blessing of the fleet’ at our Opening Days. In his white robes, Graeme honoured this nautical tradition with distinction, honour and humour. And didn’t the SYC members love it. His a capella performance ‘Eternal Father, strong to save’ was much-loved and will be missed. New boats to the Club were also blessed in true nautical tradition and Graeme always gave the occasion distinction and class.
But it was also in his capacity as Club Chaplain that an immeasurable number of members and their families called on Graeme in their hour of need. He was forever acting as the celebrant delivering funerals, celebrations of life and honouring last wishes by conducting ‘spreading of ashes’ services on Port Phillip. His ability to deliver these in a respectful, befitting, uplifting and honourable way was a measure of the man. He was a natural. Despite being unwell himself, Graeme was acting as Club Chaplain only weeks ago for the Celebration of Chris Carlile’s life.
Graeme also acted as our Club Historian. He formed part of the Committee that published our Centenary book Under Full Sail. He was also the source of truth when the Club needed to issue statements about its history and/or members and their contribution to club life.
Graeme also served as a General Committee Member, Chairman Off the Beach Committee for 8 years, Rear Commodore and Vice Commodore. It was only his concurrent appointment in becoming the first Mayor of Bayside that prevented Graeme from becoming Commodore. Graeme said “My years as rear commodore with Bruce Edmunds and vice commodore with Graeme Ainley were also rewarding, as those two commodores steered the ‘awakening giant’ on course and prepared members for the huge changes to come. I will always be sad about the decision I had to make not to offer myself as commodore, choosing instead to become the first mayor of Bayside”.
It was in his time as Chairman Off the Beach Committee there were two highlights that stood out to Graeme. Firstly the opening of the club’s Youth Sail Training Centre, which replaced the original building constructed for the Olympics; and secondly, the excitement of the club’s huge success in conducting the International Cadet World Championships in 1986. In this role Graeme also felt rewarded by seeing the development of so many former junior members, who are now competent sailors, several of whom have progressed to take leading roles in the club and in national and world sailing.
Another highlight came in 1980. Prince Philip, a distinguished sailor and yachtsman renowned for his interest in youth, visited the club on 29 May 1980. Commodore Ron White presented Prince Philip to SYC officers and to Graeme, the then Chairman of Off the Beach. Graeme introduced Prince Philip to the cadets who formed a guard of honour. Prince Philip moved along the line, stopping to chat with the boys at regular intervals. The accompanying photo of Graeme with the Prince captures the special moment.
Thirty-seven years ago Graeme was awarded the Club person of the year in 1986. Then in the early nineties at OTB presentation night, unbeknown to Graeme, who was MC on that evening, he was handed an envelope to announce the name of the new 17 foot RIB rescue boat. The club had run a competition seeking a suitable name. Graeme was handed the envelope, opened it and announced the boat was to be called ‘Mr Diz’. He had no idea, he was overcome with emotion and surprise but mostly he was truly honoured. The boat still carries his name and it is a wonderful on-water tribute to Graeme.
Then in 2002 Graeme was ultimately awarded life membership of the club presented by then Commodore Kevin Wood. Graeme was in France at the time and a pre-filmed video gave the impression he was being interviewed ‘live from France’. His son Nick graciously accepted the award at the meeting on his behalf. Graeme enjoyed the fact that for months afterwards members would approach him saying they loved the ‘live broadcast’.
Graeme was so proud to be a member of SYC, and whilst kept busy in recent years in his roles of Club Chaplain and Club Historian, he continued to spend as much time on the water as he could. In his words, ‘there is simply nothing half so much fun as messing about in boats’.
Outside of SYC, Graeme was a local institution. A prominent local newsagent owner, he knew almost everyone and everyone knew him. He became involved with local history, arts and conservation groups, which resulted in a long association with Sandringham City Council. As part of this he was appointed by the then Minister to the Victorian Coastal Council, representing Victorian Local Government, and served as chairman of the Council’s Planning and Development sub-committee. In 1997, Graeme was elected to Bayside City Council and became the first mayor. He returned as mayor in 2000. He had a way with words and he co-authored Bayside Reflections: History and Heritage of Sandringham, Hampton, Black Rock and Beaumaris. He did these things and so much more with a long list of community awards bestowed on him. There is a great article titled Humans of Hampton which talks more broadly about Graeme’s life – click here to read the article in full
Earlier in 2023 Past Commodore Geoff Henderson had the pleasure of interviewing Graeme and it is a wonderful 20 minute video where Graeme explains his life at SYC. Towards the end of the video Graeme sums it up by saying “Boy, what a life I’ve had in the Club. It’s involved my whole family. Dorothy is an associate, my boys are all members, many of my grandchildren are members. The Club has been a very important part of our life and we’ve enjoyed every minute. It’s been terrific”.
You can watch the Graeme Disney video by clicking here
All in all, Graeme made an incredible contribution to the Sandringham Yacht Club and we will forever be indebted to him. To you Graeme, we say a heartfelt thank you. We will miss you dearly. On behalf of all SYC Members we express our gratitude, condolences and deepest sympathy to Dorothy, Chris, Tim, Nick and the entire Disney family.
Sue Bowes
Commodore
RIP Graeme Disney 9/12/1938 – 15/7/2023
