By Callum Ludwig
A long-standing community member and advocate for our strong local horticulture industry has been farewelled.
Gordon Chapman AM died at age 91 on 7 June this year and has been remembered for his contribution to the community and fruit-growing associations.
Gordon’s brother-in-law Graeme Sebire said his sister Linda and Gordon were married in 1954 and built their house on Parker Road in Silvan.
“They lived there up until the start of 2022 when they moved into care in Lilydale. Gordon farmed with his father, who was a big-thinking farmer, a person who could think outside the little squares that people were thinking in 60 years ago,” he said.
“They grew a lot of berries in the early days and he was the chairman of the Silvan Fruit Processors back in the day and put a lot of time into the Mont De Lancey Historic Homestead.”
The family farm, Chappie’s U-Pick, the concept of which Gordon was credited with bringing to Australia after a visit to the USA in the 1970s, closed for farmgate sales and U-Pick in September 2022 but is still farmed by his sons Mark, Stephen and Darren. He also leaves behind a daughter, Susan.
Casey MP Aaron Violi mentioned Gordon’s death in Federal Parliament and said he was a trailblazer in his time.
“He leaves a legacy in the Yarra Valley, as a well-respected, hard-working, giving and valued member of our community, particularly in the communities of Wandin and Silvan,” he said.
“I was very fortunate to catch up with him at the 30th birthday anniversary for Mont De Lancey Historic just three or four weeks ago and he was in fine spirits, cracking jokes, having a laugh, owning a room as only Gordon Chapman could.”
Gordon was a long-time president of the Mont De Lancey Historic Homestead and was an integral cog in the opening of the museum and bringing together the tradespeople who did restoration works.
As well as his years of service in various fruit-growing and community-oriented organisations, Gordon was a firefighter with the Silvan Rural Fire Brigade, serving as Captain from 1959 to 1971 and receiving an honorary life membership.
For all of his substantial contributions, Gordon Chapman AM received the Order of Australia for contribution to community and horticulture in June 1993, as well as a Centenary Medal in 2001.
Above all, Mr Sebire said Gordon was a good, trustworthy bloke.
“He was a real down-to-earth man, no rubbish with him, solid in his thinking and solid in his actions, whatever he belonged to, he was a major contributor,” he said.
“I don’t think there’s probably been anyone else as involved in the community and local horticulture industry as much as he was, he was a tower of strength in the horticultural industry and the community.”
