South Australians have come together to farewell yachting icon and wine maker Sir James Hardy
South Australians have gathered at St Peter’s College to farewell well-known wine maker and Olympic yachting icon Sir James Hardy.
SA News
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Friends and family gathered at St Peter’s College to farewell beloved South Australian winemaker and yachting icon Sir James Hardy on Friday afternoon.
The religious state funeral was completed with three eulogies, which beautifully articulated the industrious and adventurous life led by Sir James.
Sir James died on June 15 at the Royal Adelaide Hospital in Adelaide surrounded by family members.
The funeral, held at Sir James’ alma mater commenced with the hymn, The Lord is my Shepherd.
Sir James’ son, David Hardy, remembered the yachting icon as a “dedicated and aggressive competitor” with “effortless charm” in his heartfelt eulogy. “James Gilbert Hardy was one of a kind,” he said. “Dad was a driven self starter.”
Sir James represented Australia twice as an Olympian – first at the Tokyo 1964 Games and later at the Mexico Olympics.
He later went on to compete in a total of 13 Sydney-to-Hobart races.
Sir James became the skipper of Sir Frank Packer’s 1970 America’s Cup challenge, where boat Gretel II won two races and lost another after a protest.
In 1983, Sir James was also a part of Australian sailing’s greatest moment in the sport when Australia II claimed the America’s Cup for the first time.
Mr Hardy’s eulogy went on to describe Sir James’ last days in hospital, saying his father was “calm”. “The last few weeks in hospital were some of the best in my life,” he said.
“He said on his last birthday he had so many candles on his cake that the fire brigade needed to come,” Mr Hardy said of his father’s 90th birthday.
Sir James was remembered by his nephew Bill Hardy as someone who always put his family business first.
When he was 21, Sir James joined the family wine company Thomas Hardy and Sons in 1953, working as a shipping clerk. He was appointed chairman in 1981 and non-executive director in 1992 when it merged to become BRL Hardy Wine Company.
“Jim never failed to put the family company first,” Bill Hardy said.
“He was a hero of our era.”
His nephew described how Sir James worked his way up through the family company, saying “nepotism never really got a foothold at Hardys”.
The service outlined Sir James’ service to Australia and his commitment to sharing and advocating for South Australian wine. “He shone a spotlight on Australia,” Bill said.
Sir James’ wife Joan read a poem at the service and later read a touching tribute.
“You have been the love of my life,” she said.
“One day we will be together again.”
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