Wayne Magrin b. 1961

In this painting we can see the Lilly B with her crew; Skipper Storm Smith, First Mate Arthur Arthurson and their ever-faithful cocker spaniel, June D. June D comes along on all of the voyages with our old mates. The friends are heading home. Arthur is easing out the mizzen sail, Storm is at the helm, looking forward to listening to another of Arthur’s stories that he knows he will launch into the minute he has fine tuned the sails. June D is in her element heading up to her favourite spot on the bow of the boat for a spot of dolphin watching. She has the balance of a tight rope walker, the boys always say.
But why “June D”? That’s a story worth telling. We’ll let Storm fill you in:
“We were down in Sorrento about 8 years ago for the Couta boat races. We had the Lilly B alongside the pier packing our provisions for the journey home. It wasn’t until we were about two hours out, that this little dog appeared on deck. “Where did you come from, little one?" said Arthur. Those big brown eyes melted us straight away. Not needing any more encouragement, little June D walked over and sat up close against him. “Are you hungry? I bet you are.” he said. “Let’s cook you up one of those sizzle steaks that Storm is so fond of” Well, she watched intently as Arthur cooked her up a steak in our battered old frypan, she sniffed it, then delicately ate each piece that Arthur had cut up for her. She sat up very straight with good posture - particularly considering the rolling of the boat with the following sea that was taking us home. Arthur said to me “Hey Storm! Do you remember that woman that had that deportment school in Sydney? The one that Joycey’s young girl went to?“ I had to think for a moment. “Oh yeah. I remember. June Dally Watkins was her name I think.” ‘That’s her, ' Arthur replied. I reckon this little dog went there too - AND she finished with Honours!” We both burst into laughter for a good ten minutes - and started laughing again uncontrollably every time she gave us the side eye. And so ‘June D’ she became —forever part of the crew.
Arthur had worked in the music game before taking retirement. He used to organise big name bands to tour Australia - the likes of Status Quo, The Who and Deep Purple - among many others. He could talk and party with the best of them, but now his best days are spent cruising the coast in the Lilly B - and he still gets to spin a yarn or two with his old mate Storm.
Storm, on the other hand, was a shipwright in his working life. He built the Lilly B back in 1975, the first year out of his apprenticeship, and named her after his then girlfriend, Lilly Brown. He and Lilly haven’t been an item for many years, but his boat has remained his constant love. “It’s bad luck to change the name of a boat” says Storm. “And you know how superstitious us sailors are!”
As for June D...
“Yep, I love Arthur and Storm. I have my own bunk, but I have to share it with Storm. He bought me a pink collar with diamantes, and Arthur bought me my own life jacket that he always makes sure I wear at all times when we are at sea.
Mmmm, what’s that I smell? Looks like we are having sizzle steaks and sausages again for tea tonight! (My nose was right again!)
Wayne Magrin 2025