Anne Proctor Wallaroos 28/4/19
Patron and Life Member
Wallaroo Hockey Club
Maryborough
This year sees the Wallaroo Hockey Club celebrate 75 years of hockey in Maryborough. A wonderful milestone not only for the club, but also the MDHA. The club recently held a very successful Anniversary Reunion over the Easter weekend. Congratulations Wallaroos.
Anne Proctor was Chair of the Anniversary Committee, and along with her fellow committee members, has spent the past 18 months preparing for these celebrations. As a stalwart of the club, the MDHA would like to present this profile of Anne to the wider hockey community. Enjoy!
How did you first get involved in hockey?
I first got involved as a lot of my school friends were playing and it looked like fun.
How many years have you been involved with hockey in Maryborough?
I started at 12 years of age, so it’s been 58 years.
Why did you choose hockey as the sport for the family?
I had always played and as we built a house close by the hockey fields, the kids really had no choice. We all loved it and still do.
What teams/clubs did you play for?
I have only ever played for Wallaroos – as a junior from 12 years old, then on to the seniors from 15 years old.
What involvement have you had in hockey – club, rep, state, national?
Club: I have been involved in all aspects of Wallaroo Hockey club - Player, Coach, Umpire, member of the Executive, Life Member, Patron from 2013 until current, along with hours of fundraising and other club activities, including Anniversary Committees.
As a player at club level, I played in the A Grade team for 11 years consecutively, some of these as captain and also achieved 6 premierships in that time.
MDHA: Maryborough Representative seniors and masters. Have been a selector and coach at all levels from Juniors to Seniors through to Masters.
State and National: State Rep Masters as well as a coach of Queensland Masters after I finished my own playing career. Australian Rep Masters. Again after I finished playing I was an Australian Selector for a number of years.
How many years did you play – from age … to …?
I started playing at 12 years of age and continued till I was 55years - 43 years continuously.
What is your greatest hockey memory or moment?
Playing in a Senior State Championship as centre forward, and scoring goals to beat the highly rated Brisbane Team. After the game Queensland selector at that time, Ruby Robinson, asked why I didn’t nominate for state. The answer was simple, there was no money in our family to provide for such events. This memory has stayed with me as it was an honour to be acknowledged by someone of Ruby’s stature – that’s all you need sometimes, and it makes you feel 10 feet tall. 
Playing for Queensland Masters for over 10 years and achieving selection in the first Australian Womens Masters over 45’s team. I had been part of the Masters scene since its infancy. To be part of that very first Aussie Team, to wear the green and gold, to represent my country is indeed a fantastic moment for me and one that I will always cherish.
Who is your hockey hero or someone who influenced your career?
Nelva Gallagher was my first coach at Wallaroos and she took me from a junior level to a senior level very quickly.
How many of your family played hockey? And who are they?
All my siblings - the Bell crew, Doug, Ethel, Harry, Donald, Heather and myself.
And now my children and their children:
- Jane-Ellen Negus and her daughter Amelia
- Andrew Proctor and his girls Ella, Abbey and Lucy at the Gold Coast
What’s next?
Good Health and to watch and enjoy my family and grandchildren playing the game we all love. Keeping in touch with the band of friendships formed over many years.
Anne with her children Jane-Ellen and Andrew at the Wallaroo 75th Anniversary Celebrations
