Malcolm Campbell 1937 – 2025

(Malc to mates)

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Malcolm Campbell, brother of Ken Campbell and valued member for 70 years. Malcolm was a valued member of our community, and his presence will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

A private cremation service was held, with his family gathering to farewell him in the town of Huizen. Our thoughts are with Ken and the Campbell family during this time.

Its 1941. As prep 1 gathered for their first school day, among the tiny lots at Eagle Junction state school were Malcolm Campbell, John Crooke and Don Jobbin. First friendships are precious and the 3 completed their scholarship and all joined the sub junior class of Churchie circa 1949.

Don excelled at athletics and rugby, John at upsetting the headmaster Harry Roberts and Malcs earned the title of Mr X, Roberts being certain he was behind lots of school pranks but was unable to prove it. All these went onto lead successful lives – Malcs on the diplomacy corps, Don an ENT surgeon and John a leader in the timber industry. Sailing, waterskiing, boating and many activities filled their young adult lives, with a good share of parties and social gatherings. Remaining in contact, particularly when Malcs visited Australia, all 3 married, enjoyed young families and all that children brought. Malcs was quite an amateur boat builder completing a 12” trainee under his home at London Road Clayfield.

Gathering his mates one Friday evening for the traditional naming, being short of champagne, one guest suggested the drink of the evening, rum, would be acceptable and proceeded to splash rum over the bow of the beautifully painted vessel.

Next morning, having borrowed a truck from work, John and the sailors preceded to load the trainee, but the rum has acted as a paint remover and the exquisite paint job of the previous evening was now a bubbly mess.

Recriminations followed, but in due course the paint finish was restored to former glory.

Together, many of the early sailing mates joined RQYS becoming ever involved with its growth into a leading amateur yacht club with approaching 4000 members – Malcolm remaining a member for life (of over 70 years) and enjoying visits to his old club during his regular trips home.

While much of Malcolms life was spent in Europe, and some of that in areas of conflict, his Australian traits held him in good stead. His old club RQYS and his mates there being his Australian anchor. Vale.

Written by Past Commodore Richard Crooke.