Vale Ron Heselwood
Vale Ron Heselwood
Departed this life on 23 December 2015 aged 83
Ron Heselwood was a Life Member of the Maryborough & District Hockey Association. He received this honour in 1989, after a lifetime of dedication to the sport that he (and his family) loved. Proof of his family’s love of the sport saw his wife June given a similar honour in 1992. Each of his 4 boys played hockey with 2 of them receiving state honours. The Heselwood name has featured on a number of levels in the history of the MDHA. Members of Ron’s family are still playing today, and I’m sure we will see his great grandchildren on the hockey field in
the future.
As a player, Ron started his hockey life with a team called XXXX. Over the years he and June were stalwarts of the West Hockey Club (until it folded in the 90’s) and were also associated with Colts, Wallaroos, and Granville Hockey Clubs, whether through his own involvement or that of his children.
For the MDHA, both Ron and June were heavily involved in Rep Hockey, particularly with the boys teams. Together, they took many a rep team away (21 years in succession in fact) to compete in State Championships, with some wonderful results over the years. Ron was also a Queensland Selector for many years and managed a number of state teams.
He will also be remembered locally for his involvement in umpiring. Ron umpired at a top level in the Wide Bay District and at State Championships, and was in charge of the Maryborough Umpires’ Association for a number of years. He was a mentor to many, assisting with preparation for State Championships and the coaching of up and coming young umpires.
Ron’s involvement in hockey in Maryborough extended beyond the playing, coaching, and umpiring aspects of the game. Part of his legacy to the MDHA is our Indoor Sports Complex and the Artificial Surface. Ron was heavily involved in the steering committees for both of these magnificent assets – built at a time when the economic climate was not ideal. It is testament to the dedication of Ron and his fellow committee members that they were able to complete both projects. He worked tirelessly on the Grounds Committee and took great pride in ensuring that we had the best grass fields in the state.
The MDHA, would like to extend its deepest sympathy to June, Ian, Brian, Bruce and Mark and their families at Ron’s passing. He will be missed, and his contribution to hockey in Maryborough has not gone unnoticed.
Rest in Peace Ron
