It is with much sadness that we share the news of the the sudden passing of BIA Victoria Board member Franz Grasser.
BIA Victoria President Scott O’Hare, said that on behalf of his fellow Board members and BIA Victoria staff that he offers their condolences to Franz’s wife Debbie, and his family.
The industry likewise pass on our condolences to the Grasser family.
Franz was a legendary character in the boating and fishing space. Highly proficient, capable and knowledgeable, and with a booming laugh, huge smile, and great wit.
Franz was highly active in advocacy, as a board member at VR Fish, a BIA Victoria Advocacy Committee member, on numerous committees and advisory groups, and a campaigner for many pro-boating and pro-fishing initiatives, especially with regard to infrastructure and access to the waterways.
Franz was especially active in terms of maintaining and enhancing Launching Way as Victoria’s premier boat launching facility. Franz had a great interest in the opportunity to fundamentally reform and improve the way that boating infrastructure is delivered in Victoria.
Separate to his volunteer and board work, Franz spent his career in various management and consulting roles in relation to the energy sector and in recent years with a focus on clean energy, and sustainable energy industry organisations. Post career Franz dedicated himself to his family, as well as his boating/fishing hobbies and advocacy.
Franz will be dearly missed across the boating and fishing community, and this will certainly be the case for BIA Victoria at Board level.
He is survived by his wife Debbie, his children Lisa, Scott and Dean, as well as his five grandkids, and his dad Siggy.
Rest in Peace.
Fair winds and following seas.
