Richard Basham: Life Member
By Penni Fletcher-Hughes
Richard Basham was awarded Life Membership by the WABC Committee in October 2023 for his staunch and long support of our club but don’t be fooled by 86 year old Richard Basham’s quiet presence in a group. Behind the ready smile and laconic attitude, you can bet your life he’s been hard at work in the background “getting things done”.
Brought up by his mother and grandparents, Richard was first coopted into playing bridge around age 10. Afer his retirement in 1996, Richard has played Club bridge, both Acol and Standard and is currently a State Master.
Richard has spent almost all of his life in the Western Suburbs of Perth, with the exception of a two and a half year sojourn in London and a relocation to start up a new firm in Bunbury, which ended up with him becoming a managing partner. He continued to play hockey after leaving Scotch College and, although the hockey days may be over, Richard still loves to hear the distant echoes of the school band bagpipes from his home in Claremont.
Straight from school in 1955, he joined prominent accountancy firm, Hendry, Rae & Court. He says his values and outlook owe a lot to the culture there - always having a go, learning from failure, and giving back; alongside proficiency in accounting.
He married life partner and long-term bridge player, Glenis in 1964. There’s a glint of triumph in his eyes as he tells of carrying off the pick of the three lovely Flanagan girls! He and Glenis have three children - Jodie “a tidy player” at WABC; Peter who lives in London and professes not to be a bridge player, and Candice who hasn’t caught the bridge bug!
Jodie says growing up with a Chartered Accountant as a father made it very difficult to get pocket money every month. However, he was always extremely generous when it came to family holidays. From cruising down the Turkish coast to saving rain forest in Sarawak, Richard has instilled in his children a sense of the value of money and a love of travel.
“As for playing bridge with Dad, it started as a family holiday activity when the adults needed an extra person and as the oldest child, I was oten “invited” to join. I loved the card play but hated the bidding! As for now, while we don’t always agree on the little intricacies of bridge, it is always a great pleasure to play with him. The beauty of it is that it also comes with the added bonus of a free drink at the end of the game and hours of spirited dinner conversation”.
A bit of a larrikin in his younger days, Richard recalls sailing over to Rottnest with some mates in 14ft dinghies. Pulling up outside the Quokka Arms the boats were laid over with sails acting as tents. After a few beers watching the Hopman Cup with Australia winning, the group staggered down to the beach to sleep it off in their makeshift accommodation before sailing home.
Later a 38ft launch handed over by his father-in-law meant the family often went over in luxury to Rottnest to a little known bay where the sea was calm and crayfish plentiful.
Sailing has always played a big part in Richard’s other life. He par- ticularly loves the thrill of ocean racing up and down the coast.
“I love the element of danger within strict rules. I enjoy the company of the crew, and making sure everything is functional. I prefer to be one of the jib hands – never going forward of the mast if I can help it. I like to stay within the cockpit”, says Richard.
Perhaps it is not such a surprise footnote that this man of many parts was also on the Inaugural Board of the Perth Theatre Trust – his name on a plaque by the entrance at His Majesty’s Theatre.
