Vale Graeme Keverall “Ted” Whelan
Graeme “Ted” Whelan
February 14, 2024
The North-East community has lost a gentle giant with a big heart and an unrivalled quick-witted sense of humour.
Graeme Keverall Whelan, or simply Ted as we all knew and loved him, was still as sharp as the knives he carved a living from as a butcher when he died at home in Scottsdale last Tuesday, aged 70.
Ted was born in Scottsdale, the third of four children to Raymond and Beryl (both dec) – siblings Geoffrey and Yvonne his senior and Dale “Thomas” (dec) his junior.
Geoffrey remembers Ted as a child who loved everything, in particular sport.
“He played junior footy at Springfield and represented the school in swimming. He played local cricket and loved bowls and eight-ball – he was just a player, but he loved it,” Geoffrey said.
After completing his school at Scottsdale High School he started in the butcher trade at the age of 15.
He retired in 2022 after 53 years of service to the community, handing the reigns to Malcolm DeJersey, who likens him to a father figure.
“He gave me a washing up job after school and at 16 I started my apprenticeship,” Mr DeJersey said.
“He was quite a reserved boss. He sat back and let you do different things.
“He still came in on a Friday arvo and would do a bit of stewing steak.
“I used to ring him every morning and we’d hang up the phone always with ‘over and out for now’.”
Whelan’s zest for life will live on in the archives at the North-Eastern Advertiser.
For decades, his commentary on bowls and eight-ball in the region has delighted, and perhaps bambooozled, many a reader.
Former Editor Peter Fish doubts there would be any other newspaper in Australia which can boast that its leading contributor was the local butcher!
“For more than 50 years Ted Whelan was the most regular, and popular, correspondent to the North-Eastern Advertiser covering lawn bowls and eight-ball in his own unique and inimitable style,” Mr Fish said.
“Deciphering Ted's hand writing was a major challenge for a series of editors, but the end result was always a delight. No one was spared and his stories often mentioned people who had absolutely no connection whatsoever to either bowls or eigh-tball.
“Ted Whelan will be irreplaceable.”
In a special edition of the publication in 2009 celebrating the Centenary of the Advertiser, a few of Ted's classic tales were highlighted and a couple are repeated below.
• Trevor Jessup was not his usual self on the green after attending a wine and cheese evening the night before. He claimed the host didn't supply any cheese.
• Kerry Hayes mentioned he was looking forward to the Col Elliot comedy performance. Bystander Alan Cassidy casually suggested that Hayes should save his money, go home and look in the mirror if he wanted a laugh.
• Kendalls pub sounded as if a brass band was playing when I arrived. But it was just the home team blowing their own trumpets before the match.
Scottsdale Bowls Club also remembers Ted fondly, Life Member Pat Bennett calling him a pillar of strength, a source of wisdom, and a true friend to many.
“His support of the club was recognised in 2011 with a well-deserved Life Membership.
“His bowling mates remember the games they played together over the years, his lead bowls setting the stage for many victories. Club mates this week reminisced about a Division 2 State Final in 2007.
“Ted was also a much-loved local character, nature’s gentleman and a top bloke.
“He had a wicked sense of humour, dry wit, and cheeky smile. A local legend now gone. He will be greatly missed.”
Eight-ball will also be poorer for his passing.
Mate Grant Lethborg was just one of the players in Ted’s firing line when it came to monikers.
“Ted always had a nick name for everyone in eight-ball, mine was Cow Mare after I dreamt that I’d milked the cows but in fact I hadn’t even got out of bed yet,” Mr Lethborg said.
“Eight-ball is where I had the most to do with Ted, he was always around, if you needed something you’d ring Ted.
“He was always willing to donate meat trays to give away or put in raffles, constantly helping out behind the scene for a massive period of time. Ted was the go-to, a real nice, genuine community man.”
Vale Ted Whelan.