In Memory of Spencer Grace, OAM
......
It
is with sadness and sorrow that we report that Spencer
Grace passed away on 29 September, 1999 at the age
of 92. He is survived by his lovely wife, Eileen,
his two sons, Philip and Rod, their wives and grand-children. Following
is an excerpt from the eulogy delivered by Maurie
Grace, a long time Member of North Shore Rowing Club,
at Spencer's funeral service. "Frederick
Spencer Grace was a most unique person, who, as an
Olympian has had quite an impact on Australian sport.
His professional and business activities have, as
well, impacted on Australian history.
Spencer
was studying to gain his accountancy degree when
he became emersed in motor cycle racing. Prior to
World War 1I he was offered the position of Accountant
for the multinational public company, Automatic Totalisators
Limited . He was later appointed Secretary of the
Company and then General Manager. Following the war,
the horse racing industry was ready for the expansion
of its totalisator betting facilities on numerous
race tracks in virtually all countries of the world.
And, Spencer, as Chief Executive of the Totalisator
Company, was charged with selling the world on the
advantages of the Australian Totalisator. After
some 20 odd years as Chief Executive Officer of the
Totalisator group of companies in Australia, UK,
USA and France, Spencer retired. During his leisure
travels in the US after retiring he became impressed
with the way many Americans handled the problem of
the daily or weekly laundry. Self-service laundries
were everywhere in the US yet there were none in
Australia. He began to research the industry and
he eventually entered into an agreement with Westinghouse
International to distribute their machines in Australia.
This resulted in the first self-service laundry and
dry cleaning stores in the Southern Hemisphere being
opened in Neutral Bay. Then "laundromats", as they
are known, were installed in most suburbs in all
States in Australia. Spencer's initiative revolutionised
the chore of cleaning clothes Australia wide. Another
chapter in Spencer's life follows. It deals with
the hours when he was not at work. At play, Spencer
was not satisfied with half measures. After some
success in football, tennis, swimming and, of course,
motor-cycle racing, Spencer became involved in rowing
and skiing. He has been a member of an International
Rowing Team on two occasions. In 1939, he was a member
of the eight-oared crew from Australia, representing
the Sydney Club, which competed in the 100th Anniversary
Regatta at Henley-on-Thames. In 1948, at 41 years
of age, he competed for Australia in the coxless
pair oar crew at the 14th Olympic Games. Spencer
represented NSW in the King's Cup on two occasions.
He has won many elite and championship races both
as a crew member and a coach. In 1937, he had the
distinction of representing NSW both in its rowing
team and its skiing team and was then selected to
represent Australia in both sports. North
Shore Rowing Club History Spencer
has been a Member of the North Shore Rowing Club
since 1930 and of the Kosciusko Alpine Club since
1935. During the period 1934-39 he was Captain of
the Rowing Club, and it was during such period that
his Club won its only State Champion eights and State
Premiership Pennant in the same year. Spencer has
been President of North Shore for over two decades
and watched over the Club's finances as its Hon.
Treasurer for a period of 22 years. He stepped down
as President in 1998 at the age of 91. He
has also been the Club's delegate to the NSW Rowing
Association for a virtual life time. In recent years,
he has been one of the Rowing Association's Vice-Presidents.
He was an accredited Boat Race Official for the Australian
Rowing Council for many years. From 1968, he was
accredited as a Judge for FISA, the international
governing body for rowing worldwide. In 1972 for
the Olympic Games in Munich, he was selected by the
Australian Rowing Council as the sole Boat Race Official
to represent Australia on the International Jury
for rowing. Spencer has been an active member of
the Union of Old Oarsmen in NSW for many years. He
has occupied the position of President of the Union
and was still a member of the Committee of that body.
Rowing
Achievements
During
the last several decades, Spencer has been competing
in State, National and International Veterans/Masters
Regattas. He has won numerous Gold, Silver and Bronze
medals at such regattas. Special mention might be
made of the first World Masters Games held in Toronto,
Canada in 1985, where he won Silver and Bronze medals.
At the Third Australian Masters Games held in November,
1991 in Queensland, at the age of 84, he won two
Gold and one Bronze medal The World Masters Games
came to Brisbane in 1994 and Spencer was again a
competitor in his 88d, year. He competed in nine
separate events over the three days and won two Gold,
three Silver and two Bronze medals. For
the finaI chapter in Spencers' sporting career, he
was included in the Queen's Birthday Honour's List
in 1994 when he was awarded an Order of Australia
for services to rowing. His
Commitment Spencer
was always a generous benefactor to the sport of
rowing. In his later years rowing became his whole
life. He lived and breathed it. He was passionate
in his devotion to it and revelled in expounding
his views on it to all. Many
times I have allowed myself to be drawn into arguments
with him about a particular phase of the sport. But
then, who amongst us has never had an argument with
Spencer? Not many, I would think. And what's more.
How many have ever won an argument with him. Again,
not many I feel sure. Spencer
could make an argument an art form when he had a
mind to. But on deep reflection, I believe it was
his way of educating us. He was forcing us to use
our brains - to think about what we were doing, either
in a boat if we were rowing or if we were coaching,
to be sure we weren't talking a load of rubbish to
our crew. Underneath
all of his wild ways, his provocative creativity
and his sometimes pedantic attitude was a heart of
gold. He was always generous, except when-he was
in a race against you, or when he gave you a wash
from his speedboat. But he was always helpful when
help was needed. I
know that Spencer had two final ambitions in life.
One was to welcome the new millennium and the other
was to witness the Sydney Olympics. Sadly, he won't
be able to realise those dreams. But I am sure there
can't be one amongst us who would not spare a few
thoughts for the old fellow during those periods. On
the other hand thought, you must never underestimate
Spencer. Think of his viewing the Olympic Games from
the greatest vantage point of all! Where else would
that be, but the summit of Mt. Olympus and to be
hosted by the 12 Great Gods - the very home of the
Greek Deity and all Olympians. So
trust him to have organised the best seat in the
house for Frederick Spencer Grace. Maurie
Grace 5
October 1999
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