Graeme Disney OAM JP

Graeme Disney lived his whole life in Hampton. As an only child, he helped in the family newsagency from an early age, meeting many interesting long-term Hampton inhabitants.

He attended Brighton Grammar from 1950 until 1951, before moving to Sandringham Technical School and then Caulfield Technical College to study mechanical engineering. Aged 13, Graeme became an altar server at Holy Trinity, Hampton, and continued in this role for more than 65 years.

He became a lay reader in his early twenties, and studied part-time at the Australian College of Theology, receiving his Associate in Theology (2nd Hons) a few years later. He became an Honorary Licenced Lay Minister in 1998, and was Honorary Chaplain of both Sandringham Yacht Club and Hampton RSL.

A prominent local newsagent owner, he received a 30 Years’ Service Award from the Victorian Authorised Newsagents’ Association in 1992.

Graeme was presented with Community Service Awards from the City of Sandringham in 1984,1992 and 1994. In 1997, Graeme was elected to Bayside City Council and became the first Mayor, returning as Mayor in 2000. Sandringham Secondary College named him Citizen of the Year in 1999.

Graeme also became involved with local history, arts and conservation groups, which has resulted in a long association with Sandringham City Council. As part of this he was appointed by the Minister, Marie Tehan, to the Victorian Coastal Council, representing Victorian Local Government, and served as chairman of the Council’s Planning and Development sub-committee. He received Letters Under Seal from the City of Sandringham in1994 and1998 and from Bayside City Council in 1998, 2001 and 2003.

Graeme co-authored Bayside Reflections: History and Heritage of Sandringham, Hampton, Black Rock and Beaumaris. He was named an Honorary Supporter of the National Trust Victoria in 1991.

Graeme had a life-long involvement with Sandringham Yacht Club and was named Clubman of the Year of in 1986 and made an Honorary Life Member of the Club in 2002. He was very involved in Rotary and was made Honorary Rotarian of the Year for Sandringham Rotary in 1998, receiving the Paul Harris Fellow in 1999, and Honorary Rotarian of the Year for Hampton Rotary in 2000.

In 2006 he received a Medal of the Order of Australia for services to local government, local history, the church and yachting.