SADLY, well known Mansfield local, Sir Andrew Grimwade passed away at Mansfield hospital on Monday, January 30 after a short illness.

At his request a private funeral was held at his home with family and a few close friends.

ANDREW Sheppard Grimwade was born November 26 1930 in Melbourne.

He was schooled at Melbourne Grammar.

He graduated as a Chemical Engineer at Melbourne University then went on to Oriel College at Oxford, where in 1953 he graduated with an MA in Science.

At Oxford he was a keen rower and also won a swimming blue.

On returning to Australia he moved to Sydney became an executive of CARBA, Australia's largest carbon dioxide manufacturer.

By the time the late 60s rolled around he was in full swing as a corporate raider, as Chairman of Kemtron and then ACI.

He made huge windfalls and takeovers in several large companies and properties.

At one stage his business activity was so hectic he had to resign from three commonwealth positions; as Chair of the Official Establishments Trust, member of the Remuneration Tribunal, and inaugural member of the Council of the Order of Australia.

In 1968, at the age of 38, he became the youngest ever Director of the National Australia Bank.

In June 1977 at the Queen's Birthday Awards he was awarded an Order of the British Empire.

Then in June 1980 he was made a Knight Bachelor Imperial for services to industry and commerce.

As with his corporate life, Andrew distinguished himself with a long and active public service, and his contributions will be felt for generations.

In 1968 he donated 27 km of ocean frontage to the South Australian government to enlarge the Coorong National Park.

In 1973, Andrew accompanied Gough Whitlam on Australia's first Trade mission to China.

From 1976 till 1990 he was President of the National Gallery of Victoria as well as a trustee and life member and is their longest serving President.

He was also the founder of the Art Foundation of Victoria.

Andrew's relationship with Mansfield goes back to the 1930s.

His parents were keen skiers, walking into Hotham Heights to ski with Lindsay Salmon, and riding horses up to One Tree Hill to ski with Helmut Koffler on Buller.

Andrew's love of skiing lasted a lifetime.

In the 1990s he was actively involved in Turoa Skifields on the North Island of New Zealand and stoically battled through two volcanic eruptions and poor snow seasons.

Andrew returned to Mansfield when he purchased Green Valley in 1958 and as with everything he did, he went headlong into cattle breeding.

In 1996, together with his wife Marsha, who was one of the initial founding shareholders, he helped form Certified Australian Angus Beef Ltd, of which he became Deputy chairman and was involved in building it into Australia's leading branded beef program.

He was dedicated to the Mansfield community.

He took an active interest in all the local public institutions and was regularly seen at board meetings, AGMs and local community gatherings.

In 2007 he launched the 202nd Bendigo Community Bank in Mansfield.

Then recognising the emerging crisis in the provision of housing for older people Andrew put his mind to solving the problem.

His proudest contribution to Mansfield and one that has secured his legacy locally was the creation of Beolite Village, which without a cent contributed by government and against all the odds he drove its establishment in 2006.

He finally retired in 2021 after being honorary Chief Executive for over two decades and remains Emeritus Chairman.

Mansfield has lost a great contributor to our community who will be much missed.