Australian Sailing lost one of its most passionate contributors this week, with the unfortunate passing of past President Graeme Ainley.

Graeme’s love of sailing knew no bounds, and it was not just limited to his time out on the water. His efforts in voluntary roles at club, state and national level changed the face of our sport as we know it today.

“GA” was elected President of Yachting Australia (as it was then known) in 2002 and went on to leave a legacy with the organisation that still resonates today. 

In his role as President, Graeme put a significant focus on building world-class education, training and courses. It was that work which eventually led to Australian Sailing’s Discover Sailing courses and the more than 140 Discover Sailing Centres that currently run those courses around Australia.

He served as President until 2004 when he handed the role over to Andrew Plympton.

“Graeme’s contribution to the sport cannot be understated,” said current Australian Sailing President Daniel Belcher. “His pioneering work in the training and courses space set Yachting Australia on the course to what are our Discover Sailing Centres today, with tens of thousands of Australians learning to sail in them every year.

But his work did not stop there. 

Graeme was a long-time member, committee member, Commodore (1995 & 1996) and Life Member at Sandringham Yacht Club, where he also headed the Sandringham Harbour & Foreshore Master Plan Committee and also assisted then Commodore Bruce Edmunds in negotiations with the State Government to secure a longer lease. The 50-year lease they signed was the first 50-year lease granted to a yacht club in Australia. 

Edmunds later said “He (Ainley) made a mammoth contribution to the club, and we will always be indebted to him for his input over past years.”

Graeme was a member of the Yachting Victoria Board for many years, later becoming President and being awarded Life Membership of YV for his services in 2009.

Graeme will also be remembered as a passionate and highly successful sailor.

In association with John Williams (Willo), they became sailing legends with their jointly-owned Bacardi. Together they competed in many club and state events over more than 30 years, including 25 Sydney to Hobarts. They were very competitive, winning an impressive range and number of club trophies and championships, culminating in second overall in the 2006 Sydney to Hobart.  

Their successes included the AD Mackenzie Trophy (3 times), First Division Trophy (3 times), J J Jarrold Topy (twice), Jisuma Trophy (3 times) Katoura Salver (3 times), SYC Cup (twice), Tam O’Shanter and Wyvern Cup, Commodore’s Trophy (4 times), Commodore-in-Chief’s Trophy (5 times) and were Club Champions (Summer Series) six times between 1991/92 and 2006/07.

They were part of the team with the late Lou Abrahams (Ultimate Challenge) and Rob Green (Jacobina of Shenval) that won the Association Cup in 1992.

They were also Club Champions in Georgia in 2008/09, however she was lost off Batemans Bay in the subsequent Sydney to Hobart.

“Graeme was hugely popular and respected in sailing circles here in Victoria and more broadly,” said Australian Sailing Vice President Alistair Murray AM. “He gave of his time selflessly for the good of the sport and the clubs he was involved with, and was always eager for a formal meeting or a friendly chat over a beer to discuss how we could make our world of sailing a better place,”

“Of course he was also a great sailing mate to many, and fierce competitor, as evidenced by the what I believe to be a true fact, of his yacht “Bacardi” having sailed in the Sydney Hobart Race more than any yacht in the history of the race,” Murray continued.

“We will miss his smiling face around the club so much.”

Graeme will be remembered as a great sailor, mentor and encourager of many, a dedicated club member who leaves his contribution to the marina and wavescreen as his legacy.

Australian Sailing sends its condolences to the family and many friends of Graeme at this sad time.

Graeme will be farewelled at Sandringham Yacht Club when circumstances permit. 

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Trying to find a cure for cancer was important to Graeme. If you were thinking of sending flowers, the family have requested you please instead consider making a donation, in memory of Graeme, to the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation.

Thanks to the Sandringham Yacht Club for their assistance in the collation of this article.