Vale Hugh Fraser Garnham 

Hugh Garnham attended St Virgil’s College from 1946-1952. 

In his final year he was prefect and was awarded the Leadership, Study and Sport Award. He represented the College in football, cricket and cross country – all three Senior teams in these sports won the associated trophies in Hugh’s final year.

On leaving school, Hugh worked at Fitzgerald‘s, whilst undertaking part-time university. However, he stopped the university studies when he began working full-time in the family business. Hugh went on to become company director, retiring as managing director in the 1980’s. Excelsior Furnishing Company was the main business, with other offshoot furniture shops and other business interest around the city. He was a true entrepreneur. 

Hugh and his wife, Gail, travelled extensively overseas, which included setting up an antique import business from London.

Hugh became a hockey player when he could not get to footy training and learnt to play hockey with the Catholic Hockey Club. John Traynor and Hugh were instrumental in coaching St Virgil’s school teams during the 1950s and Hugh was the driving force in getting donations of equipment and labour to construct the first hockey field at St Virgil‘s, Barrack St.  Hugh went on to serve as president of the Catholics Hockey Club. He also coached his daughters once they commenced hockey in primary school.

He had a passion for sailing, commencing in dinghies at the family shack at Dodges Ferry as a 15-yr-old. He went on to build his own 29-foot yacht named Glenshiel, which he raced in the 1959 Sydney to Hobart yacht race. This was the first yacht to represent the Derwent Sailing Squadron. Sadly, the yacht was demasted in severe winds off Gabo Island.

Hugh went on to crew in seven Sydney to Hobart races on large and small yachts, achieving line honours as well as the outright winner. He completed 67 crossings of Bass Strait.

Hugh had over 12 yachts and power boats in his sailing career. He cruised extensively around Tasmania, and mainland Australia, the South Pacific & New Zealand. Hugh also cruised with other friends to the Patagonian Canal, Argentina. Accruing over 100,000 miles of ocean cruising. He also participated in a J24 yacht challenge series in New York as part of the Royal Yacht Club Tasmanian team.

The avid sailor was presented with numerous sailing awards across his career. He was a past Vice Commodore of the Derwent Sailing Squadron and was awarded life membership of the DSS in 2022. In addition to being a golden member of the RYCT, he was also a life member of Tasmanian Sail Training Association (Lady Nelson).

Hugh was also a stalwart and life-member the Atheneum Club and was a past fellow of Australian Institute of Company Directors. He was also a mentor to many young people; he always enthusiastically took the time to listen and share his knowledge. He had a passion for helping others and was very generous with his time. 

Another great interest of Hugh and Gail was restoring vintage and veteran cars. The two attended numerous rallies across Tasmania and the mainland over the years. 

At 70 years of age, having sold his yacht, Hugh commenced study for his pilot’s licence. He achieved this aged 73. Hugh then flew extensively around Tasmania and went as far north as Cape York on his adventures. He was often accompanied by friends and grandchildren on these flights. 

At around 80, Hugh returned to sailing on the Derwent competing in the Wednesday afternoon competition, with continued success. His final yacht was Glenshiel 12, and he continued to race until he was 88 years old. 

Hugh touched many people’s lives; we have many wonderful memories and stories. 

He will be greatly missed.

Michelle Boutchard

Eldest daughter