Playing the game

Graeme played tennis from an early age and continued to play competitively until just recently.  He played well and achieved international rankings in both singles and doubles.  Later in life, Graeme played in the Seniors competitions, and represented the ACT at interstate championships.  The success of his regular tennis road-trips with Tim Harris has become part of Club folklore.

Graeme enjoyed competing and would be satisfied if he played well.  He didn’t have to win; A good game of tennis was reward enough.

Graeme passed his passion on to his children, where he encouraged them to play, hard and fair, and they too have achieved success on the courts. 

Building the Club

Graeme joined our Club in 1982 and he was first elected as the President, two years later.  He continued to hold senior Committee roles for many of his 40 years of membership.  Graeme is also part of a small group of long-serving members who built the Club in its early years, and for that he was awarded a life membership.  Graeme also held roles in other ACT Clubs and in the ACT Tennis Association, so his influence was broad.

Graeme’s strong leadership skills came to the fore during the COVID19 pandemic.  He negotiated protocols with the government to enable play to continue.  Graeme later helped to implement these protocols in other ACT clubs.

Graeme was a visionary.  As President, he implemented an ambitious strategic plan to expand Club facilities and to engage more closely with the local community.  As a result, our membership increased, and the Club became one of the most successful in the ACT.

As a visionary, he ‘planted trees under whose shade he did not expect to sit’.

And, as was usual with Graeme, his expectations have now been realised.

Giving of Himself

Graeme epitomised the volunteer spirit.  He was always ready to help and, when something needed doing, Graeme was there either to do it, to help get it done, or knew someone who would do it for us.  A real ‘Swiss Army knife’ member of our work team.

He had contacts everywhere, so he was particularly useful when we needed outside help.  And many of his contacts continue to help the Club today, because of Graeme.

But he wasn’t afraid to roll up his sleeves to do the hard work himself, and always with plenty of energy.  It was not unusual for Graeme to be still finishing the last stage of a project while other exhausted workers could only watch on.  A picture of the ‘Every-ready Bunny’ comes to mind when working with Graeme.

I believe the foundation of Graeme’s robust volunteering selflessness was his strong Christian faith, with its practical belief that:

‘What you do for yourself alone, dies with you; But what is done for others, lives forever’.

Graeme lived his faith and inspired others to do the same.

Honouring Graeme

Graeme has given so much:  On the court, Leading the Club and Volunteering.

So, to honour his legacy, the Club will establish a perpetual trophy in his name to be awarded annually.  In doing so, we can ensure that his spirit continues to inspire and guide us.

I believe that Graeme would like that.

So, if tennis is played in heaven, I know that Graeme is playing right now.

And, if it’s not played there, then Graeme will be organising the first match.

God bless you Graeme Rossiter and thank you for your service.

Your work here is done.   You can now rest in Peace.

Eulogy by WCTC Treasurer Phillip Stephens on behalf of the Club