Graeme Dabinett Ayson.  21 July 1913 – 27 October 1990

Tribute by Rev Allan Handyside.

The significance of Graeme Ayson’s life, to his family, and to the people of Masterton and elsewhere, is beyond our telling.

To Grace Ayson, and the daughters, Claire and Lindy and their families, our sympathy and goodwill has been extended.  Others, not able to be here, will also have them in their hearts at this time.  The family have rich memories of a very special man, whose love and example remains deep in their lives.

Graeme Ayson was born in Masterton, 77 years ago.  His family connections go back a long way, as his grandparents lived in a house on the site of St Patrick’s School, which three of the grandchildren now attend.

Most of his childhood was lived in Wellington.   As a youth he attended the large Bible Class at St John’s Presbyterian Church in Wellington.

His career in photography commenced during the depression of the early 1930s.   This fact is an interesting example of how backdoors often sway on small hinges.   He was one of 300 lads who applied for work with Kodak.   The manager was bewildered by the number of applicants, so asked his son if he knew any of them.   The son had been in the same class at school as Graeme, so put in a good word for him.    He got the job and stayed with Kodak for almost 10 years.

By the time World War II was declared, he had become a Christian Pacifist, and during the war was legally granted Conscientious Objector status.   His ability to face up to big issues and think through them, remaining true to his convictions, was a feature of his character.   It is also noteworthy that in many activities he pursued, he did them as near perfection as possible.

In reaction to Graeme’s anti-war ideal, Kodak put him in charge of the lift so he then went to work for Spencer Digby, one of New Zealand’s leading portrait photographers.   The skills he then learnt were later reflected in his own photography business.
Eventually during World War II, he was man powered with some other conscientious objectors, to work at a large market garden at Hawera.

I too was a Christian Pacifist, and also did vegetable gardening at that time: but in Rangipo Prison, where a number of Methodist War objectors were detained for several years.

Graeme came to Masterson in 1946, establishing a studio in the old Cosy Theatre building, which is now the Crofter’s Arms.   The family lived in a flat in the building.    He had been invited to Masterton by a local chemist, who played the cello and wanted a good violinist for the local orchestra.   The chemist knew that Graeme had won many violin competitions in Wellington so lent him £300 to assure the move to Masterson.

With his wife’s help he built up the photography business until his retirement in 1978.   The quality of his work was such that they never needed to advertise. 

Throughout his life he had many interests.   He was on the establishing committee of the public relations office.   He was an office bearer with the Wairarapa and Ruahine Aero Club,  The Wairarapa Camera Club,  Musica Viva,  the Masterton Esperanto Club and the Chamber Music Federation.   Also, he was keenly involved with the Harlequin Theatre, and took a lot of leading roles there chiefly in comedy.    During 1974 he was vice president.   He served two terms as a Borough Councillor.

However, Grace tells us that the violin was his outstanding pleasure.   Love of music ran like a golden thread through his life.   The recorded music prior to the service was music he loved.   More of it will be heard as we leave the church today.

Since his retirement he has continued teaching the violin.   The progress of his young pupils gave him  much satisfaction.  That he could continue teaching until he was 77 is an indication of his good health, until his sudden severe stroke on October 19.   He was unconscious for nine days and would have found it very difficult to cope with the consequences of the stroke had he survived.   To have lived without being able to play his beloved violin would have been almost unbearable.

But all has not been told.   For example, when he was 48, he bought and extensively repaired a Tiger Moth aeroplane.   He owned the plane for eight years.   During that time, he established a technique for taking aerial photographs of Masterson and surrounding areas, taken at lower altitude than some people might have considered prudent.   I am told that the Masterton archives will, in due course, benefit from these photographs.   Also, and this may not be surprising to many people, he was a clever letter writer – humour being a common ingredient of his family letters:  but I believe his letters to newspaper editors were in a more serious vein.  

Let some words by Grace conclude this tribute to a life well lived.
She states: “ He was a warm interesting character.   Living with him was never boring.   He has given me and the children lots of good memories and love.   Anyone painting his portrait would need to do so in bold strong colours.”

About a month ago Graeme, in fun, said to Grace “Will you marry me?” and she was glad yet again to say “Yes I will.”

His sense of humour was such that Grace and the family say that he might have chosen Hymn number 56 for today’s last rites.
The hymn is “Amazing Grace.”     With imagination, some of the lines fit the partnership in strange ways.   Maybe one of the family, or a friend, could write a poem “Amazing Graeme.”

We thank God that a good and talented life was also spiced with a fine sense of humour.

Graeme and Grace are buried at the Riverside Cemetery in Masterton.

Their two children are:    Madeleine Claire Hills and Lindy Marilyn Daniell