Former long time member Murray Preston passed away peacefully at home in Alice Springs on Thursday March 10 cared for by his wife Jennifer. Murray had been a barrister and solicitor who worked variously in Mornington, Frankston, and the City, and later in Alice Springs.
In the 70’s and 80’s he co-owned the S&S 36, “Maria,”, initially with Jim Watson and later with Denis Kelly. A half hull model of Maria hangs above the door in the MYC bar. Maria sailed in three Sydney Hobarts, a Westcoaster, numerous Devonports, and multiple Bass Strait races with Murray as her skipper. Maria’s exploits encouraged many MYC members to see that they, too, could venture outside. Maria’s guiding sextant is enclosed in a stand in the Quartermasters Store downstairs.
Upon moving to The Alice Murray missed his sailing. Nobody but Murray would dream up such an audacious idea of creating the Alice Springs YC , with the intention of competing in another Sydney Hobart. A membership was quickly organised, with the NT Government being convinced of the benefits tipping in significant funds towards the charter of a yacht. Naturally, Murray based his campaign from MYC, instead of a logical Sydney. Murray was highly intelligent, but as his close friends will attest, he wasn’t always logical. The Alice Springs YC went on to do a number of Hobarts, and later, incredibly, a Fastnet.
Murray, was a great sailor who loved his sport. In The Alice he used his sometimes obsessive character to become an admired golfer at the Alice Springs Golf Club. He was a flamboyant character one minute, and quiet, deep thinker the next. It would be easy to describe Murray as bordering on the eccentric, but that would be selling him short. As said before he was highly intelligent, had a great sense of humour, and the ridiculous, and an enormous appetite for life.
Murray will be sadly missed, but never forgotten, by all his mates here at MYC who send their best wishes and condolences to Jennifer and his children.
In the 70’s and 80’s he co-owned the S&S 36, “Maria,”, initially with Jim Watson and later with Denis Kelly. A half hull model of Maria hangs above the door in the MYC bar. Maria sailed in three Sydney Hobarts, a Westcoaster, numerous Devonports, and multiple Bass Strait races with Murray as her skipper. Maria’s exploits encouraged many MYC members to see that they, too, could venture outside. Maria’s guiding sextant is enclosed in a stand in the Quartermasters Store downstairs.
Upon moving to The Alice Murray missed his sailing. Nobody but Murray would dream up such an audacious idea of creating the Alice Springs YC , with the intention of competing in another Sydney Hobart. A membership was quickly organised, with the NT Government being convinced of the benefits tipping in significant funds towards the charter of a yacht. Naturally, Murray based his campaign from MYC, instead of a logical Sydney. Murray was highly intelligent, but as his close friends will attest, he wasn’t always logical. The Alice Springs YC went on to do a number of Hobarts, and later, incredibly, a Fastnet.
Murray, was a great sailor who loved his sport. In The Alice he used his sometimes obsessive character to become an admired golfer at the Alice Springs Golf Club. He was a flamboyant character one minute, and quiet, deep thinker the next. It would be easy to describe Murray as bordering on the eccentric, but that would be selling him short. As said before he was highly intelligent, had a great sense of humour, and the ridiculous, and an enormous appetite for life.
Murray will be sadly missed, but never forgotten, by all his mates here at MYC who send their best wishes and condolences to Jennifer and his children.
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