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Neil Bruce Hunter
September 26, 1949 – October 17, 2024
Neil Bruce Hunter, 75, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 17, 2024, surrounded by his beloved wife, Lorraine, his extended family Kylie, Courtney, Luke, and Matt, and his grandchildren Amelie, Parker, and Faith.
Born on September 26, 1949, to the late Bruce and Glenda Hunter, Neil grew up with a passion for the ocean and the outdoors. A well-respected mariner, Neil completed the solo around-the-world yacht race in 1999. He sailed his 40-foot yacht, Paladin II, across the finish line in Charleston, taking the finishing cannon at 0451 GMT (just after midnight local time). His overall time for the 27,000-mile voyage was an impressive 216 days, 21 hours, 57 minutes, and 59 seconds—a monumental achievement for the humble man we all knew so well.
Neil was known for his kind heart, generous spirit, and incredible skill with his hands. Whether building something from scratch or helping a friend, Neil’s creativity and craftsmanship were admired by many. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
A celebration of Neil’s life will be held 1-4pm on Friday, November 8, 2024, at the Sandringham Yacht Club. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Neil’s memory to the Australian Sailing Foundation.
