On Australia Day 2015 John Jeremy became a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for “significant service to the preservation and celebration of naval and maritime history”. Yet his contributions to the sailing, shipping and naval communities have been even more extensive.

From a tender age he was fascinated by boats. This led to a lauded career in naval architecture, during which John rose from apprentice draughtsman at the Cockatoo Island Dockyard to spending a decade as its last chief executive.

Such skills were also deployed further afield, including during John’s more than 50 years at the Amateurs. An Honorary Life Member, he was the club’s 33rd Commodore (1982-85) and served on the Board of Directors for a remarkable 42 years.

An accomplished racing skipper and multiple season Gold Medal winner, he has owned and helmed four boats on Sydney Harbour whose aboriginal names have each begun with a ‘T’.

More recent members might be forgiven for thinking John is first and foremost a marine photographer. A lifelong love of photography saw him become a prolific chronicler of ships, yachts and other watercraft. 

During several decades as a volunteer race officer on our starters’ boats, he has photographed countless summer and winter races as well as many other club events. His credits appear below a legion of fine pictures gracing the pages of the SASC News, which he has edited with distinction for more than a quarter of a century. 

Former Commodore Charles Maclurcan, writing about John’s career, has noted that small not-for-profit clubs like the Amateurs “…benefit greatly from members with knowledge, intelligence, experience and an even temper.” (SASC News, October 2020)

Which describes John Jeremy to a ‘T’.

He shared some reflections on his eventful boating life with Richard Palfreyman.