Celie Hynes 17/05/15
Matriarch of all hockey families
Everyone involved in hockey would know of Celie Hynes, a legend in the MDHA hockey fraternity. In 2011 Celie was awarded an MDHA Service Award for her contribution to hockey.
At 98 years of age you will still see Celie doing tech bench duties for her club Tinana, on a Thursday night for Masters, and sometimes on Saturdays for Division 3. She is still active within the Tinana Hockey Club. Meetings are held at her home in Tinana, and she is in charge of all uniforms. She sorts the shirts for each team, looks after the sale items, and orders new uniforms when necessary.
How did you first get involved in hockey?
I started playing in 1933 in Mt Isa. I was actually ‘conned’ into playing as the team was short. I continued to play till 1942 when I got married. I also won a trophy (my only one) in my first year.
When did you get involved in Maryborough Hockey?
In 1968. Ray Barry, who was involved in soccer, wanted his daughter to play hockey, and had heard there was a family in Tinana that had a lot of girls – that was my family. So Tinana’s first team started that year and included my daughters Kathy (Rogers) and Terry (Dart) and was coached another of my daughters Mary (McKell). It all started from there – and it hasn’t stopped.
How many years have you been involved with hockey?
From 1968 till now – almost 50 years.
Why did you choose hockey as the sport for the family?
All eight of my children loved sport. My son played Rugby League, Celie (my oldest daughter played squash) and the other 6 all played hockey. When the girls were young, they went to athletics in summer and played hockey in winter. It was easy to have them all doing the same sport, and all the family was involved.
What involvement have you had in hockey?
I was Tinana Club Treasurer and Registrar for almost 40 years. I knew every single player in every team we had. I was also MDHA delegate from 1968 to 2008 – I’d still like to go, as I always knew what was happening at Association level, but struggle to hear well enough now. On the Representative side, I have been a selector and coach of various Junior Rep teams over the years (in the girls divisions).
What is your greatest hockey memory or moment?
I was awarded the first Life membership for Tinana Hockey Club in 1973 would be one of my proudest achievements. Another would have to be when I won the 1988 Australia Day Award for Sports Administrator. To think that someone thought me worthy of the nomination was humbling.
How many of your family played hockey? And who are they?
Tommy (the only boy of 8 children) played Rugby League. Celie my eldest daughter played squash – they are the only 2 who have never played hockey.
Mary (McKell), Peggy (Dubelaar), Carmel (Meyer) and Beryl (Mattsson) all started hockey with St Mary’s (which is now Brothers Hockey Club).
Mary, Peggy, Beryl, Kathy and Terry have all played Division 1 for Tinana. In 1993 our family put in a Women’s team and Men’s team into the now defunct Core Cup. Anyone who played had to be related to the Hynes family in some way. All 6 sisters played together for the first time, along with some of their children. Mary’s daughter Elisa, Carmel’s daughters Tennille, Carly and Emma, Beryl’s daughter Sarah, plus one “out-law” played in the women’s team.
Of these girls Elisa, Tennille, Carly and Sarah also all played for Tinana Division 1 at different stages of their careers. Carmel’s other daughter Emma (Stewart) was a member of the Hockeyroos and played for Australia up till 2008.
Mary, Carmel, Kathy and Terry have all played for Queensland. Mary, Carmel and Kathy have all played for Australia in Masters. All the girls played for Maryborough from Juniors through to Seniors.
My family’s involvement continues today, with my great grandchildren now playing – Carly’s 3 girls Holly, Willow and Rose, and Patrick’s children Caiden, Charlie and Thomas.
