Vale Stan Austin

Albany is in mourning following the loss of one of its favourite sons, the “irreplaceable” Stan Austin.

Public tributes have flowed for Mr Austin, 96, after he passed away peacefully in his sleep at his family home on Sunday morning.

Those who knew Mr Austin have spoken of his modest manner, wicked wit and keen sense of humour.

A passionate sailor, shipwright and one-time Commodore of the Princess Royal Sailing Club, Mr Austin will be best remembered for his role in building the Brig Amity replica.

As an experienced shipbuilder, Mr Austin took on the challenge to design and build the brig from scratch, after the idea to build a replica of the ship which brought the first settlers to Albany in 1826 was mooted as a potential tourist drawcard in 1972.

Mr Austin’s involvement in the construction of the replica was a labour of love, requiring prolific and painstaking research into the forgotten knowledge of brig-building.

City of Albany Mayor Milton Evans said Mr Austin was highly respected in Albany for his outstanding contribution to the community over many years.

“His spirit will live on through the Amity, but he will be sorely missed because he represents a generation of people who contributed so much wisdom to our community,” Mr Evans said.

Albany Historical Society chief executive Andrew Eyden said Mr Austin was “irreplaceable”.

“We will never replace someone who had that incredible knowledge of maritime history in Albany, and without him we probably never would have built the Amity,” Mr Eyden said.

Princess Royal Sailing Club Commodore Paul Terry paid tribute to Mr Austin’s lifelong contribution to his beloved sailing club.

“Stan will be remembered as a wonderful ambassador for the club, as a tremendous treasure-trove of information and history, as well as for his wonderful, laconic sense of humour,” Mr Terry said.

In an interview with the Albany Advertiser earlier this year, Mr Austin’s wife Marie spoke of her husband’s lifelong affinity with the sea.

“His whole life has been connected with the sea and sailing,” Mrs Austin said.

“He has always loved it.”

Mr Austin’s daughter Janet said her father would be sorely missed.

“He was a gentleman, but he was also a gentle man,” she said. “He just always wanted everyone to be happy. We were very lucky.”

Mr Austin’s funeral and wake will be held at the Princess Royal Sailing Club this Saturday at 11am. The flag at the Brig Amity will fly at half-mast until after the funeral.

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