12 tributes Leave your tribute

1. Loving brother of Annette ( Togni ) dearly loved uncle of Paula ,Anthony and Shaun and much loved great uncle .
   Will miss you so very much and never forgotten .

   Paula Stevens May 17 2023 12:52 pm

2. Dearly loved Brother and Brother in Law to
   Cheryl and Graeme Rowe ( both Dec) from Cobden
   Uncle to Jason and Mel
   Jamie and Jeanette
   Wayne and Lyndal
   Rob and Rachel
   Great Uncle to all his nieces and nephews.

   Reunited with family members past.

   Now at peace.

   Rob Rowe May 18 2023 11:11 am

3. Graeme came into our lives when he and John stayed in our house in 1975-76. They remained dear friends thereafter.
   John’s death was devastating for Graeme, but he remained a good and beloved friend to me, my late wife Jan and our children and grandchildren. He never lost his sharp and often entertaining wit.
   A voracious reader, his responses were always intelligent and sensitive.
   He loved beautiful things, and his garden in a a tiny space after he moved to Brunswick was amazing.
   I’ll also miss our annual (lock-downs permitting) viewing of the AFL Grand Final on his TV.

   He took Jan and me to a Leonard Cohen concert, a memorable night.
   The supporting act included Paul Kelly singing his enigmatic “I will meet you in the middle of the air”, which feels like the right song to have running through my head when I think of Graeme..

   Chris Watson May 18 2023 11:24 am

4. Graeme you were part of our lives for many years, but when you moved I didn’t hear from you again. When my brother John died I tried to help you through but you never recovered from that loss. It saddened me that I didn’t see you again. My thoughts go out to your family at this sad time .
   We visit John’s grave occasionally along with my Mum, Dad’s and my twin sister Judith. It will be a comfort that you and John will be together again.

   Jane Lee May 18 2023 4:09 pm

5. I’m very sorry to hear of Graeme’s passing. I’ve got many fond memories of long afternoon talks and laughter in the rainforest garden. He was both uncle and mentor. x

   Martin May 19 2023 9:09 am

6. I’m so very sorry to hear that Graeme has passed away. He and John truly opened my eyes to literature. Such a gift x

   Melissa May 20 2023 8:38 pm

7. I was saddened and shocked to hear of the death of our dear friend and past colleague from Kew High School, Graeme McKenzie. When I think of Graeme I think of what an incredible Teacher he was and how the students hung on every word, questioning and always seeking more! He was an inspiration, that students decades on still recall. Graeme was a powerful, positive force in students lives and will always live on within them.
   As a friend, I always enjoyed your sharp, dry wit and one to one chats, at School and in our local coffee shop in Ivanhoe. Love and Peace beautiful man.
   Christine Georgiou
   Art Teacher

   Christine Georgiou May 21 2023 10:23 pm

8. Graeme was a wonderful teacher who had a momentous impact on the lives of many, many students. He will be remembered for his passion, expert knowledge and genuine enjoyment of his subject, but also his fierce wit, beautiful garden and love of cats. Thank you, Graeme.

   Celeste May 22 2023 4:24 pm

9. I was in Mr McKenzie’s (can’t not call him that despite being an adult!) year 12 Literature class in 2003.
   The year before, I had come to him when picking my year 12 classes and I was explaining to him that ‘I sucked at and hated English’ and I was asking him if there was a way I didn’t have to do it at all. Mr McKenzie convinced me that I would be able to handle Lit, and even love it, and his faith in me absolutely fuelled me and my confidence. I was able to go on and get top marks in year 12 Literature and that is 100% down to my year with Mr McKenzie.
   Our experience with him as our teacher was beautiful, engaging and so memorable. I honestly can’t remember another teacher but will never forget Mr McKenzie.
   Macka, you made such a difference to so many students lives and we will always remember you. I hope you are at peace and I hope you knew how special you were to so many of your students.

   Dani May 23 2023 11:38 am

10. Oh dearest Graeme, you brilliant, funny, cheeky, loyal and loving soul, I feel lucky to have known you.
    You and Robyn were my kindred spirits, may we three meet again for a smoke and a red in the afterlife.
    You will be greatly missed, your loving friend, Jill Hilton

    Jill Hilton May 24 2023 12:41 pm

11. Graeme was my mentor and guide. With gentle wit and cutting intelligence he took a punt on a me, a graduate teacher, and shared the craft of teaching literature with me I try to impart to this day. Rest well my friend.

    Mark Rossouw May 24 2023 5:00 pm

12. 20 years on, I still remember Graeme McKenzie as the teacher who inspired my VCE. Thank you for providing the island in the storm, with your literature classes. Rather than mold us into ideals of success, you encouraged us to be ourselves and take pride in our differences. I will still think about you all the time and be thankful for the big part you played in my life in such a small space of time. I hope you found peace.

    The Lake Isle of Innisfree
    BY WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS
    I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,
    And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made;
    Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the honey-bee,
    And live alone in the bee-loud glade.

    And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow,
    Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings;
    There midnight’s all a glimmer, and noon a purple glow,
    And evening full of the linnet’s wings.

    I will arise and go now, for always night and day
    I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;
    While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey,
    I hear it in the deep heart’s core.

    Sam Pennell July 29 2023 9:25 am