Graeme Disney OAM JP

Graeme has 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 has 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 is Honorary Chaplain of both Sandringham Yacht Club and Hampton RSL.

In 1997, Graeme was elected to Bayside City Council and became the first mayor. He returned as mayor in 2000.

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.

Graeme co-authored Bayside Reflections: History and Heritage of Sandringham, Hampton, Black Rock and Beaumaris. In 2006 he received a Medal of the Order of Australia for services to local government, local history, the church and yachting.