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John Freedman OAM

At the 2023 25+ years member lunch, Commodore Christian Brook announced the members who obtained their 50-year membership, John (Freedie) Freedman, unfortunately was not able to attend. At 88 years young, Freedie cannot make it to the club as frequently as he once did or would like to. To help recognise his milestone and service to the club, a few members met for lunch to “formally” give Freedy his 50-year pin.

With Commodore Dickson, Diana Dickson, Commodore Dunstan, Judy Dunstan, Commodore Levy and Lynne Levy joining Freedie and his wife Wendy, the stories from on and off the water were soon flowing with much laughter.

Freedie started sailing as a child in VJ’s over in Vaucluse, however, soon found Rugby Union to be his chosen sport, where he excelled. Coming through the ranks in club and then state rugby, he was picked as the tighthead prop for the 1962 Wallabies tour of New Zealand and won his Wallabies Cap (number 478) in the first test and played all three matches against the All Blacks. Many rugby supporters might find this difficult to believe nowadays, but the All Blacks changed their front three for every test to try and counter the strength of the Wallaby front row that did not change during the series.

The following year, Freedie toured with the Wallabies on their historic drawn tour of South Africa. As a nod to his leadership abilities, which would be seen on the water in due course, he was appointed captain for 4 non-test matches, including the game against Rhodesia (Zimbabwe). He played his final game for the Wallabies in the first test match against the Springboks and was replaced as the coaches searched for taller lineout jumpers, with one of the second rowers moved to the front row.

In 1965, Freedie was injured and retired from representative rugby and came back to sailing. That same year, he joined the Norske crew and sailed in the Division 1 Saturday racing for the next 47 years. I am sure Freedie and Wendy didn’t fully realise that this was the beginning of many lifelong friendships. He started on the 8-Metre racing against Norn, Saskia and Pakerdoo, plus others. Racing against three other 8 meter yachts proved to be a great training ground for him to represent his country again and the RSYS in the 1967 America’s Cup on the 12-Metre Dame Pattie as a grinder. His strength plus fitness were key attributes, however, he was also selected for his leadership skills and his ability to foster cohesive teamwork.

He was selected again in the 1970 Gretel Americas Cup challenge with the RSYS again being the challenger club. In 1973, he became a member of the RSYS and was picked for his 3rd and final America’s Cup Challenge on Gretel II in 1977. This was also the last time the club was the Challenger for the America’s Cup.

Freedie stayed with Norske when the boat changed in the early 80s and the Dickson family bought the Cole 43, of course he did, it was significantly more comfortable than the 8-Metre. However, around this time, there was another significant change and after 20 years of hearing all of the sagas with the infamous Squaddy Pies Freedie boldly told the crew he would bring lunch next week! Well, what a lunch! From all reports the leg of lamb was big enough to feed the crew twice over and a new tradition commenced and lasted until the mid-2010’s. Each week the regular crew would take turns in bringing lunch, all trying to outdo Freedie, who continued to raise the stakes each time it was his turn to bring lunch.

Freedie is also well known for his off-centre taste in music. Music is being used very loosely here as his collection ranges from bird noises to yodellers from all over the world, with one tape making it onto Norske for the 1987 Sydney to Hobart race. As Freedie was not racing, he wanted to ensure the crew had the appropriate “tunes” and gave them the recordings of the great steam trains of the world with strict instruction to play it whenever the kite was set and they were charging down either coastline or across the strait.

During the late 70s and early 80s, Freedie turned to volunteering first with NSW Rugby, becoming president in 1984 and receiving his OAM in 1987 for services to rugby. In 1992 he joined the RSYS Election committee where he continued to serve until 2014. I am sure many members met Freedie as he welcomed them to the club during those 22 years.

Freedie is just one of our 105 50+ year members who have given so much to our club and lived the member-for-life ethos. They have lived through our modern history and like most of our Members believe they are simply custodians of our amazing club and we are here to make it better for the next generation.

By Robert Dickson