Graeme "The Kid" Wilson was a “will of the wisp” half forward for Uni Blues in 1971-72. An absolute deadly shot for goal with a torpedo punt, Wilson rarely missed from any angle. Like many Uni Blues champs, he commenced his senior career while still an Under 19. A skinny kid with a loping stride and a somewhat anaemic look (a “worse suntan than Andrew Lowcock” says one contemporary), opposition players and coaches didn't notice or respect Wilson until they realized he'd kicked half a dozen goals from the flank and it was too late.

Wilson went on to play for South Melbourne between 1974 and 1976, making 14 senior appearances and kicking 14 goals.

Since his football days, Wilson has had a distinguished career in the diplomatic corps that has included a stint as Australian ambassador to Mexico and postings in exotic locations such as Vanuatu, Noumea and Paris. Bob Girdwood recalls an encounter with Wilson in a transit lounge in Singapore: “numerous beers were consumed and he mentioned that while Assistant Ambassador to France he'd captained the French cricket team in the World Cup”.

Wilson is currently leading the Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) and bobbed up this week in a feature article in The Daily Garnaut (AKA The Age):

http://www.theage.com.au/national/solomon-islander-children-get-a-kick-out-of-football-20090728-e072.html

Based on his comments in the piece, Wilson may have identified some potential Blues recruits while conducting regular Auskick clinics in his new home: ‘‘They’re just naturally athletic kids. They’re very quick, they keep their eye on the ball, and they want to learn,’’ he says. ‘‘That’s one of the great things, if you teach them, they listen hard, some of those skills are not that easy to pick up, you know, kicking the ball and handpassing, yet they pick that up very quickly. They’re natural athletes, and I think some of them, with training in Australia, would do very well.’’

Wilson aside, Uni Blues has strong links with the Solomon Islands. Former player Dan "The Rubber man" Strack spent some time on the Islands and football boots left in the “lost property” section of the changerooms have been despatched to Honiara for the locals to wear.