Grahame John Flynn Oneile

On 9 July 1951 in the NSW country town of Bingara, a bright star of kind and caring heart was born. One of four siblings Grahame spent his early years in the country moving to the city as he neared his teens.

With a strong desire to serve his country he joined The Royal Australian Navy having just turned 17. When not doing sea time onboard HMAS Melbourne he was stationed at the Nowra airbase HMAS Albatross ‘Fleet Air Arm’ -723 Squadron (rotary wing).

Trained as a Technical Weapons Technician & having gained his ..WINGS’ Grahame preferred his duties in the air and sea. As Aircrew and SAR Diver (sea air rescue) he assisted and performed regular rescues and medivacs. The fleet consisted of Wessex and lroquois helicopters with the occasional Sea King from another squadron. He remained fearless and daring.

A keen sportsman and gifted cross country runner Grahame enjoyed playing Aussie Rules and played first grade for The Nowra Blues. He earned his nickname ‘The Racehorse’ for his grace and running style. After leaving the Navy you could still find him flying high up in the sky on a trik, gliding in a glider or on a triple rope paragliding. He loved adventure! Whatever sport or activity he chose he always showed great courage. As his ways gradually moved into more leisurely pastimes he never passed up the chance for that time on the green, that loved game of golf with mates.

Clever with his hands and a very keen interest in real estate, he tried both – The Real Estate salesman and then his own buying and selling of bricks and mortar. He went on to renovate and restore dozens of Victorian and federation homes. A keen collector of anything old it became his passion. A passion and pastime in which he excelled.

Grahame spent a great deal of time in “The Didgeridoo Shop’ a business she owned in the historical area of The Rocks in Sydney. There he would charm customers from all over the world with his knowledge of tribal art and ofcourse his rather good didjj playing.

A true Cancerian Grahame’s love of sea remained with him throughout his life. Whether onboard his racing yacht ‘Styx’ or at the helm of his vintage schooner ‘Sea Gypsy’ these were some of his most magical and happiest times.

Always the larrikin with his cheeky smile, wit and humour, he was also a man of great compassion. With his kind and most caring heart he always found time to help the elderly, those that needed a hand or the less than fortunate man living on the streets. He was always there for them.

Grahame spent most of his adult life with his wife Allana whom he met in early 1973 and almost from that first meeting both in their yellow MG ‘A’ sports cars they both realised that their lives were meant to be shared together. They were married by the Rev Ted Noffs at The Wayside Chapel 17 January 1976 and together they did share their lives their hopes and their dreams. The good times and the not so good times but together they were one. The world now is a lesser place without Grahame, but we who are left are the more richer for having known and shared his life journey with him.

You were and always will be everything to me, my sweet dearest Beauzi

Honi xx