Some memories of Mackay Hockey 1953-1963 by Ian Hamilton
(written for Mackay Hockey 75th celebration)
Unlike most youngsters of today I did not have the opportunity to play hockey as a schoolchild. My main sporting interest had been tennis. My introduction to hockey came aged 18 after I had returned from doing National Service at Wacol. With a group of friends we were encouraged by members of the Magpies Club to form a new team for them to be known as Magpie Colts. I can remember training enthusiastically at Queens Park coached by Frank Morris.
In fixtures at Harrup Park, we faced Magpies Seniorswho had probably been a foundation team since 1948. Names I recall were Roy Shaxson, Brian Sturgeon, Frank and Ken Morris, Marshall Ebert, Alan Flor and John Deane. (John Deane was later to organize the Mackay runners for the 1956 Cairns to Melbourne Olympic Torch Relay)
However, I believe it was the Arsenals team that was regarded as top performers. I have been told that it had largely been organised by ex-Magpie stalwart David Adrian and included the Tooma brothers Bill and Mick, Ken Barkley, Cedric Lally, Jack Cassidy, Alex Williams and Roy Williamson. Later top players for Arsenals were Merv Crouch, Nev Helmeth and Colin Paul.
Arsenals held the Premiership trophy for several years until 1958. (ABC interview Terry Hayes).Other men’s teams were Camerons (Cameron Foundry) led by Colin Cameron, Ray Page, Dinny Watson and George Anderson, Methodists led by veteran Percy Leivesley with Eric Leivesley, Stan Pothecary, Peter Rasmussen, Bill Ungerer, Eric Holgate and Roger Phillips, and Fellowship, led by Ken Davie with Neil Davie, Arthur Gutteridge and Stuart McKelvie.
The Magpies Colts team which won the Men’s Premiership in 1958 and 1959 was Bruce Manning, Henry Armstrong, John Jeffs, Lyle Saunders, Norm Howland, Barry Hazel, Don Rasmussen, Neil Saunders, Tony Darley, Bryan Horsey, Geoff Brown, Don Morrison (Vice -Captain) Ian Hamilton (Captain).As this team was undefeated in 1959 it split up to other teams in 1960 to balance team strengths.The 1960 men’s premiership was won by Fellowship led by Ken Davie. It included Bruce Manning, Bryan Horsey and Ian Hamilton from the Colts team. Fellowship did not reform in 1961 and their players joined other teams. Bruce Manning, Bryan Horsey and I joined Camerons. Camerons with Roger Phillips was fortunate to have a former Australian Captain, Don Mecklem lead their team. A strong new team, Norths was formed led by Ken McElligott
There were some talented players coming through the junior ranks who soon found places in the senior teams.Ray Ditton, Roy Murray, Cec Dinsdale, Graham Young, Rod and Laurie Bovey, Jim Edwards, Denis Battams, Neville Anderson , John Cusack, Russell McKelvie ( too many to remember). John Cusack, Russell McKelvie and Alan Moreland were selected for the Queensland Juniors team in 1962 (?)
Women’s hockey was strong with teams from Camerons,Magpies,Arsenals, Suburbs and Michelmores.I think Helen Zaglas was one of the early players and others were Beulah Kennedy (Chataway), Pam Dix, Peg McAdam (Ongheen) and Joyce Graham (Weston). Joyce went on to represent Queensland. (She subsequently was Patron of the Association and I succeeded her in 1998 in that role.) Later players to shine in the Women’s teams were Alison Murphy, Betty Bartolo and Blanche Maddox.
Representative games were played regularly, mainly against Townsville. It was the practice to join the Rugby League teams in train travel for these games. Townsville had very strong teams and at that time with Merv Crossman and Barry Malcolm representing Australia at the Rome Olympics. I recall receiving a cut on the chin from a Merv Crossman clearance.
Mackay also fielded teams in the Annual State Championships held in various centres, such as Rockhampton, Toowoomba, Bundaberg and Maryborough. I played my last representative game for Mackay in the State Championships at Gympie in 1963. During my time the State Championships were held in Mackay and there was a local organizing committee and I found myself as secretary of that committee. Unfortunately I received a cracked rib playing in Mackay’s first match (rough play).
I recall good experience playing for Central Queensland against a visiting SouthQueensland team and remember Mackay playing a visiting team from Canberra.
In 1963 (then married to Valerie Braithwaite), I was transferred in my job to Brisbane and played my hockey in 1963 with St Andrews and finally with Easts in 1964. Upon transfer to Townsville in 1965 I retired from hockey and resumed my tennis interests.
Hockey Association Committees
Clubs nominated delegates for association meetings which were held at Sturgeons Furniture Store in Wood Street. I was a delegate for Magpies and I think I was Association Secretary when George Anderson was President. I recall there was some disagreement at one stage when the Association hit upon a fundraising idea by holding an “All Night” dance at the Parish Hall with Jack Sturgeon MC and Ted Durelli’s band. It was a resounding success with participants ending the night swimming at the harbour beach. The disagreement arose with what to do with the proceeds. The decision to utilize them to supplement representative players travel expenses did not get unanimous support. Another event remembered was a visit to hockey by the Queensland Governor Sir Henry Abel-Smith and he “bullied off” with President George Anderson to commence a game.
Availability of umpires could always be a problem and training players and volunteers was necessary. Pop Sturgeon and George Anderson were prominent in this regard.
Ground maintenance was in cooperation with the Cricket Association groundsmen but credit must be given to Theo Hansen who did a great job with several sports as well as hockey, marking out fields even though he had only one arm.
Publicity
Fred Calligan worked at the Daily Mercury (I think as a compositor). He was a great supporter of hockey and became the scribe reporter for the Mercury under the name “Sideliner”. He attended the games and gave lengthy reports.
There was a sporting session on 4MK section with Les Perrin on Friday nights and I was designated to present the hockey segment. This led to a position for me as Sporting Rounds man with ABC 4QA – later filled by Roger Phillips. So, hockey had plenty of publicity.
With the move to the Harney Street grounds, hockey surged ahead and has gone to better facilities and more successes. However, my memories of the earlier days at Harrup Park will remain as very fond. I really enjoyed my time involved with hockey and the great friends I made through the game. Congratulations to Mackay Hockey on its 75th Anniversary.
