Family and friends celebrate life of Grahame Orchard

Family and friends gathered on Sunday, August 23, to celebrate the life of beloved and respected Koolewong resident Grahame Orchard.

A long-standing committee member of the Koolewong and Point Clare – Tascott Progress Association, Grahame, together with his wife, Helen, has been the driving force behind the association’s success over the past 25 years.

“Grahame’s passion for helping and advocating for the local community was unwavering and, even with his health struggles, he continued to attend meetings and contribute to the Association’s projects, inspiring everyone with his determination,” a spokesperson for the association said.

“His legacy will continue to inspire and uplift the community he cherished so deeply.”

Grahame was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2011.

He died on July 14, 2025.

He was a plasterer from the age of 14 until he started his own business supplying tools to the plastering industry.

Daughter Kerryn Goddard told the story of Grahame’s early years.

He was born in Mooney Ponds, Victoria, on October 6, 1939, and named Leslie Grahame Orchard.

Later he changed his name to Grahame Leslie Orchard so as not to be confused with his father Les Orchard. 

Grahame relocated to Sydney at the age of 14 and joined his father in the plastering trade. 

He was a talented runner and a member of the Haberfield athletics club in the 1950s.

He began a love of car racing in his teenage years with a blue Austin Healy Sprite and later with a white S Type Jaguar. 

Grahame established the Dennistone car racing club and then later The Jaguar drivers club.

In the 1980s he helped a neighbour restore a fire engine red VW beetle which became Kerryn’s first car.

Grahame and Helen met at a Scottish band club in Sydney’s Eastwood and were married on March 6, 1965, at the Presbyterian church at Ryde.

They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in March this year.

Son Stewart said his Dad had plenty of amazing qualities, including being an ideas man.

“After working as a plasterer with his father, he started Wallboard Tools, a company importing and selling plastering tools in 1976,” Stewart said.

And he loved “a project”. 

He built the family home at Koolewong and a warehouse in Queensland and completed various renovations.

“One memorable reno started as a bathroom upgrade and somehow ended up including a new rumpus room – even though we already had what seemed like the world’s biggest lounge room,” Stewart said.

“Part of the bathroom reno involved Dad and I lifting a spa bath through a second-story window, while balancing on the pergola roof trusses – which didn’t actually have a roof. 

“Dad’s plan? Just get it done before Mum gets home.”

Vale Grahame Orchard 6/10/1939 – 14/7/2025.