Sadly, I never met my father-in-law Alan Conolly. He died far too young, before I met my husband Rob. He travelled extensively during Rob’s childhood so father and son missed out on much precious time together.
In the late 1960s, when Rob was still at school in Tasmania, Alan was transferred to Sydney by his company, Universal Textiles. It was an opportunity for him to leave an unhappy marriage, although I should point out that there were no third parties involved.
When Rob moved to Canberra to attend university in 1970 he was able to visit his Dad and to enjoy their shared love of sailing. It was such a blow when Alan died on June 3 1973, aged only 52.
We have been sorting long stored family papers and photos recently, and I was moved to tears by this generous tribute by sports journalist Lou d’Alpuget, (yes, father of Blanche). Neither Rob or I had any idea just how highly regarded Alan was in the sailing world;
D’Alpuget went on to note; ‘As a director of Universal Textiles he put Australian sailmakers within reach of the stars by developing Contender brand sail fabrics. There are at least a score of famous Australian yatchsmen who would never have had the opportunity of competing in world and Olympic races without Conolly’s silent backing.
ALAN AS SAILOR AND SERVICEMAN
D’Alpuget was very familiar with Alan’s background;
lan started sailing as a boy in Manly 16ft skiffs and after WWII (in which he served with the AIF in North Africa, Greece and Crete and then as an RAAF fighter pilot) raced in many other classes, including lightweight Sharpies. It was in the Sharpies that he and John Cuneo formed their long and intimate friendship.
I counted Alan as an intimate too, and we sailed regularly together in his boat or mine. He died just as he would have wished….after an exciting day on the water, a relaxed dinner with friends, and a new heads’l beside him.
Due to Alan’s business and sailing contacts around the world the reaction to his premature death was overwhelming. It was a particularly difficult time for Rob’s mother. Although separated for six years, Alan and Jean had never divorced, and she attended the funeral in Sydney.
Rest after a day’s racing. This photo of my father-in law was taken shortly before his death, at his home at Mosman Bay.
Another of Alan’s friends and business associates was Ben Lexcen, who went on to design the famous winged keel on Australia II, the boat that won the America’s Cup in 1983. Oh my goodness, how Alan would have enjoyed that epic series of races.
We unpacked so many items from his sailing days; binoculars, cameras, even his polaroid sunglasses.
I keep his rediscovered trophies polished, and some are on display in our home.
Sometimes I use one of the cups to display flowers from the garden. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind.
We also found a faded little letter written by Rob to his father when he was about seven years old. I was touched that Alan had kept it. It’s a bit hard to read, but it says; ‘Dear Daddy, do hope you are well and that your cold has gone. Yesterday I had a game of cowboys with Peter, we had good fun. We went for a drive yesterday and brought home some wood. I am going to bed now Daddy, goodnight. Lots of love Robert. xxxxxxxxxxxxx
It has meant so much to Rob to find these precious mementoes of his Dad. And I feel as if, in some way, I have finally been able to ‘meet’ my father-in-law. RIP Alan, and thanks for the gift of your son. 💛
CLICK HERE FOR MORE ON JOHN CUNEO, 1972 OLYMPIC CHAMPION.
