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VALE – Don (Chippy) Greenhill

Tim Tucak

It is with sadness that the Club informs you that Donald (Don) George Greenhill, better known as Chippy, passed away on 18 November 2024.


There will be a Memorial for Chippy at Trigg Island SLSC on Wednesday 29 January at 10.00 am in the clubrooms. Ashes to be scattered followed by a morning tea. 



Chippy joined the Club on 17 November 1957, quickly gaining his Bronze Medallion, WA No. 401 on 15th February 1958 with Swanbourne Nedlands S.L.S.C. Along with Chippy, the Bronze Medallion squad included Len Bath, Ian Barry, Garry Fletcher, Trevor Jones and Neil Ryding. Chippy gained his Instructors Certificate, WA No. 118 on 2 December 1961 (equivalent of the Trainer Officers Certificate).

 

Chippy was a Member of Swanbourne Nedlands S.L.S.C. for 15 seasons. A Club stalwart and keen competitor, Chippy, transferred to Trigg Island S.L.S.C in the 1973/74 season so he could continue competing. At Swanbourne Nedlands S.L.S.C he held the positions of Ambulance Officer from 1960/61 to1965/66 (6 seasons), Assistant Chief Instructor 1962/63, Social Committeeman 1962/63 and Handicapper in 1972/73. Chippy served the Club as Vice Captain Patrol Officer (equivalent of the Lifesaving Manager today) in 1965/66. He was also one of the Delegates to State Centre in 1965/66.

 

Chippy was awarded the Best Clubman award in 1960/61 and 1961/62 (today known as the Simon Davies Best Club Person Award. He was awarded the R.S.L. Incentive Trophy “B” in 1970/71

 

Chippy won the Presidents' Cup three times; in 1962/63, 1970/71 and 1972/73, finishing second in 1973/74 and third in 1960/61. He won the Oldham Memorial Cup twice in 1963/64 and 1972/73, finishing third in a dead heat with Ross Bosworth in 1971/72. He won the F. E. Ford Cup in 1972/73 and finished second in 1969/70. He won the Caris Cup in 1961/62.

 

Astute readers will therefore note Chippy won the ½ mile, ¾ mile and 1 mile Cups in the 1972/73 season, whilst also being Handicapper! It is important to note though that he shared the Handicapper role with Mick. Miller. As the Club Captain, Peter Wales noted in the 40th Annual Report & Financial Statement Season 1972/73:

 

Congratulations to all Club members who competed in club events and won, those who didn't win a Cup Race, don't worry, "Chippy" Greenhill will be under the watchful eyes of all members in the future.

 

Chippy’s competitive performance in Points Races and Club Championships is as follows:

 

Points Races Beach Sprint Champion: 1961/62, 1962/63, 1963/64, 1965/66, 1970/71, 1971/72, 1972/73

Points Races Long Swim Champion: 1962/63, 1963/64; B Grade Champion: 1969/70, 1971/72, 1972/73

 

Club Champion Beach Sprint: 1958/59, 1961/62, 1962/63, 1965/66, 1966/67, 1969/70

With 6 being the most Club Championships in Beach Sprint in the Club’s history.

 

At the Patron's Interstate Carnival in November 1962, Chippy was a member of the victorious Chariot Race team:

1st Chariot Race

R. Field     K. Kemp     D. Greenhill

C. Cook     J. Flannery     K. Jones

Surf Life Saving Association of Australia

At State Championships, Chippy saw success as part of the Beach Relay team with Ian Griffin, Terry Foley and Neil McPhail:

 

State Championships

Gold Medallists

1971/72 Senior Rescue & Resuscitation as Coach

Edwin (Ed) Jaggard, Deane Pye, William (Bill) Pettit, Robert (Bob) Milne, Douglas (Doug) Thompson, Geoffrey (Geoff) Miller, Leonard (Len) Bath

 

Silver Medallists

1969/70 Junior Beach Relay with Ian Griffin, Terry Foley, Neil McPhail, Donald (Don) Greenhill

1970/71 Senior Beach Relay with Ian Griffin, Terry Foley, Neil McPhail, Donald (Don) Greenhill

1971/72 Senior Beach Relay with Ian Griffin, Terry Foley, Neil McPhail, Donald (Don) Greenhill

1971/72 Senior Rescue & Resuscitation as Coach

Robert (Bob) Milne, Geoffrey (Geoff) Miller, Peter Goff, Terry Foley, Leonard (Len) Bath, Edwin (Ed) Jaggard

 

Bronze Medallists

1972/73 Senior Beach Relay with Ian Griffin, Geoff Annear, Geoff Miller or Neil McPhail, Donald (Don) Greenhill

 

Chippy attended Australian Championships in:

1965 Scarborough, Western Australia

1971 City Beach, Western Australia as coach of the R & R team.

1972 Blacksmiths in New South Wales as coach of the R & R team.

1973 Burleigh Heads in Queensland as coach of the R & R team.

 

Competitors and Characters

 

It wasn't until towards the end of the 1960s that Swanbourne's beach sprinters again did well in the seniors, Ian Griffin leading the way. ‘Griff' was the junior champion in 1969 and 1970. Close to him in ability although never a state titleholder was Neil "Boof' McPhail, and both he and Griffin were consistent placegetters in the senior sprint at inter-club carnivals. In the beach relays their abilities were well complemented by Terry Foley's speed and tenacity, and the long experience of Don "Chippy" Greenhill who was the grandfather, so to speak, of the quartet. Together they were a formidable team, although a relay title always eluded them. Griffin finally left the club in the competitive slump beginning in 1973-74, winning two senior titles in successive years (1974,75) while a member of North Cottesloe. He later transferred to City of Perth, but always remained at heart a staunch Swanbourne man.

 

"Chippy" Greenhill deserves more than a passing reference in the context of beach sprinting, for he was both competitor and character. In fact from the late 1950s until he finally left the club in 1973-74 he was Swanbourne's most consistent sprinter and relay team member. On occasions he could muster enough speed to press the very best - Girdlestone, Landwehr and Brad Trotter - but usually, as he would be the first to admit, he was in the placegetters. However, "Chippy" had other characteristics as well. One was his unique swimming action which featured a pair of lead legs that always dragged beneath him, refusing to float. Thus his speed in the water approximated that of a jellyfish. Nevertheless with a generous handicap in trophy races he was always likely to win because he was prepared to struggle harder than most!


Another aspect of surf in which "Chippy" enjoyed great success was R & R coaching. Between 1967 and 1970 Swanbourne's senior R & R teams were non-existent. but then Chippy took a hand. His coaching debut came in 1970-71 when he trained a none too dedicated team for the Australian titles at City Beach. That was hardly successful, but a nucleus of the team including Bob Milne, Geoff Miller, Peter Goff and Terry Foley decided in the aftermath of that failure to take an unprecedented step - they would train throughout the winter. Two men short. they chose firstly to ask Len Bath to join them. knowing what a dedicated competitor he was. Chippy's next step was to request Len to write to Edwin

Jaggard in the U.S.A.. asking him whether he would be prepared to give up surfboats and have another crack at R & R when he returned to Perth. He happily agreed. From that point for two seasons "Chippy" nagged. abused. pleaded with and even sulked over the 6 man team, which won a silver medal in 1972 and the R & R Premiership in 1973.

 

Much of the success was due to Chippy. Sensing how serious he was the team members buckled down to the job of out drilling the best teams in the state - for they had little hope of outswimming them. Chippy demanded that the team train for a minimum of four days per week. and to improve their efforts he asked former Cottesloe champion Don Morrison to assist him. Between them they produced a superb combination. Chippy emphasising the need for hard. dedicated training. Don providing much of the finesse and psychological boost. It was a winning partnership. giving Chippy some of his proudest moments at Swanbourne. And. in the process he gave back a great deal to the Swanbourne-Nedlands Club.

 

Decline and Recovery

 

Club stalwarts and keen competitors Bob Milne and "Chippy" Greenhill, along with Doug Thompson, transferred to Triggs Surf Club so they could continue competing.

 

Extract from Striving To Serve, Swanbourne-Nedlands Surf Life Saving Club, The First Fifty Years 1932-1982, written by: Ross Bosworth and Ed Jaggard with assistance from Reg Trigg.



Vale Don “Chippy” Greenhill

November 20th 2024

It is with sadness that we advise of the passing of Trigg Island Life Member Chippy. You will all have seen Chippy at Sunday morning swims, all year around. He loved to banter with everyone, especially Craig Martin, Dockers supporter. No need to say more! He took many young ones under his wing, many who remained friends with Chippy even when they left the state. Chippy will be sorely missed around the club, and we send our regards to daughter Kelly and the families of Kelly and Natalie. Reunited with his beloved Annette and daughter Natalie.

 

Chippy joined Trigg Island in the 1973/74 season after several years at Swanbourne Nedlands SLSC. As an established Rescue & Resuscitation (R&R) coach at the top of field, Trigg Island soon started winning Gold at Carnivals and State Championships under his guidance. He continued to coach our Senior R&R team right up to 1998 and cemented Trigg Island as a club respected by all along the coast. In addition to R&R he was also passionate and committed to Surf Belt racing and for many years has arranged and trained teams and individuals on the required techniques. Committing countless hours teaching both linesmen and reel men his dedication helped Trigg to win many State Surf Belt titles. He continued coaching our members until recent times. Chippy was also part of the Trigg Island Golden Oldies March Past team winning many gold medals.

 

When he first started at Trigg he took on the role of handicapper which he held for a few years until when with great foresight, he asked the late Bill Rice to take it over – which the club was ever grateful for as Bill remained the Club Handicapper for 27 years. Chippy helped out many times conducting and assisting club swims over the years including the Blue Hole Club. Over the last few years despite some challenges he continues to play an active role on the beach. Chippy was honoured with Life Membership in 2019.

 

Trigg Island SLSC website November 2024.



Donald (Don) George Greenhill
Donald (Don) George Greenhill

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