We are currently working on our Life Members page. If you have additional information, please email us at contact@padhc.com.au.
Arthur Weir, one of hockey’s most notable identities, passed away at the Repatriation General Hospital on 20 April, in his 91st year. Arthur’s lifetime achievements were amazing. Enlisting in the A.I.F. (Signals Corp) in World War I at 19 years of age, he served in France and was awarded the Military Medal and Bar for bravery and was also mentioned in despatches. After being wounded and gassed, he was invalided home to Victoria.
In 1920 he took up hockey to aid in his recuperation and played until 1928, representing Victoria in 1927. He was transferred to South Australia in 1928 and played for Forestville and Shell Clubs to 1933.
From 1934 until 1954 he played for Magpies Hockey Club (later to become Largs Bay then Port Adelaide). In all he played more than 500 games of hockey. In 1932 he was captain of the South Australian State team.
Arthur’s career as a hockey administrator was equally as extensive. From 1925 to 1928 he served on the Victorian Hockey Association Executive, was President of the Magpies/Largs Bay/Port Adelaide Hockey Clubs from 1934 to 1952, was a member of the South Australian Hockey Association Executive from 1934 to 1939 and was President of SAHA from 1939 to 1941. He also served as a coach and selector for senior and junior State teams and was a Vice Patron of ‘the South Australian Hockey Association from 1942 until his death.
He was elected to Life Membership of Port Adelaide in 1936 and of the South Australian Hockey Association in 1946. In 1979 he received the AHA Award of Merit in recognition of his representation for Victoria and South Australia at Australian Hockey Association Annual General Meetings.
In 1982 he became the first person to receive the International Hockey Federation (FIH) Diploma of Merit and for his service to the sport received an Order of Australia Medal from the Federal Government in 1978.
In 1961 Arthur founded Hockey News, a weekly newsletter which was made available to all members of the South Australian Hockey Association. He remained Editor of this publication until the end of the 1963 season.
Arthur always maintained that hockey gave him back his health after World War I and his service to the sport was a repayment for that gift. He repaid the debt with compound interest.
Hockey has played a large part in the life of South Australian Hockey Association President, Don Germein and so it was fitting that he became the 20’1′ Life Member of the Association at a recent Annual General meeting.
54 years old, Don began playing hockey with the Largs Bay Hockey Club (now Port Adelaide) in 1938 and continued playing until 1961. From 1947 until 1960 he played regularly in the Club’s senior leant. A highlight of his playing career was winning the `Advertiser Newspaper’ Trophy as the State’s Best and Fairest player in 1959 at the age of 36.
Don held most official positions in his Club at various times and in conjunction with his playing service he was rewarded with Life Membership in 1964.
Retiring as a player, Don took up umpiring and continued in that capacity until he became President of the South Australian Hockey Association four years ago. He achieved an Australian Badge as an umpire.
He turned his administrative talents to Association affairs in 1964 and this service included four years as Treasurer, five years as vice-President and for the last tour years as President. He has also represented SAHA at Australian Hockey Association Annual General Meetings.
In addition to assisting with the organisation and conduct of National Championships at all levels he was a State Selector at both Senior and Under 21 levels for several years.
During the summer months Don ‘relaxes’ by crewing in a rescue boat at the Largs Bay Sailing Club and incidentally has helped to rescue a number of Hockey players also taking part in their summer sport.
Family connection with the Club: Sons Peter and Graeme as players Daughter Wendy as player
Wife Marjorie – many years service in Club Canteen
Jack McGrath, one of the real characters of SA Hockey passed away peacefully at home on 22 July 1997, aged 71.
Jack’s hockey career with the Port Adelaide District Hockey Club began in 1946 and continued uninterrupted until the time of his death.
His involvement in SA hockey was extensive – a player, coach, administrator, State Team Manager and avid parochial supporter.
Jack’s playing career extended from the late 1940’s to the early 60’s. He told the story against himself that his decision to “hang up his boots” was made as a result of a flying missile that hit while playing a home match (the missile in fact being the stiletto heel of the shoe of an agitated woman spectator).
As a Club administrator he was President, Treasurer and Management Committee member at various times. He also undertook coaching at the Club, both seniors and juniors, and at the Largs Bay Primary School.
He wore the State blazer with great pride as Manager of the SA Under 21 Men’s team front 1974-1981 -one of the most successful eras of the Colts team. He was enormously proud of his involvement with these teams, regarding it as the highlight of his hockey career.
It was as a team manager and sideline supporter that Jack gained his reputation as one of the truly great characters of SA club hockey. His passionate and colourful support of the Magpies was legendary. His philosophy of playing hard on the field and enjoying a drink with the opposition afterwards was one of his hallmarks and earned him the many friends he had across the board in SA hockey.
Dennis was only 18 years old when he first became the Secretary of the Club, the year following his first State representation as a player. After a very successful time as a State and Australian player be began an exceptional period of umpiring at Australian Senior Championships and International tournaments. The list of his achievements speaks for itself:
Bruce Baulderstone, one of the most successful coaches in South Australia (both for the Club and the State), having coached the Club to four of its six A1 premierships at that stage, was elected a Life Member. He had made significant contributions to the Club, both as a player, coach and administrator.
Trevor was undoubtedly one of the most accomplished and skilful players to wear the Port Adelaide uniform, but during his long membership with the Club he has contributed far more than as just a player.
Trevor’s history with the Club is as follows:
Bill Drewett has been a playing member of this club since his U16 days. This dates back to 1963 and represents a total playing time for the club of 44 years which is exceptional.
There hasn’t been a season where Bill has not got the stick out of the boot and put on his shinnies and played for Port with the sole intent of winning every game and letting everyone know that winning was the only satisfactory result, especially team mates.
This spirit has created the legend of PADHC, a club disliked by all others yet envied by all.
A quick glance along of Premiership Wall will see Bill as an intimidating member of the A grade team of the 1970s through the decades in Div2, Div3 Div4, Div5 and the last 7 years as an integral member of the Div 6 team.
It is difficult to guess how many premierships Bill has actually played in but I have no doubt it will be more than anyone else in the club.
If you tallied up all games played by Bill Drewett including winter and Vets, it would be well in excess of 1000 games as a Magpie. There is also the PADHC teams in Australian Masters and World Masters games. To this tally, you can add SA State selection and State Vets for the past 15 years. He has also been selected in the Australian Vets with his most recent selection in 2007.
Bill is one of the rare recipients of life membership where playing service has been rewarded.
Trevor Stockley has clearly made a significant contribution to the Club over a considerable period of time that required considerable personal commitment.
On the field
It is perhaps off the field though where Trevor’s major contributions to the club occurred.
Whilst the above list is impressive Trevor is also part of the rich history and culture of the place both on and off the field, his dedication in both cases epitomising what it is to be a true Magpie and always putting the needs of the club first.
Mark Victory aka Chainy has been a lifelong part of the Port Adelaide District Hockey Club, I submit the following in support of his nomination for life membership:
Again, this list is not exhaustive but is only a summary and overview of the contribution that Mark has made to PADHC over time.
Paul Beckmann (and the rest of his family) made their way to the Port Adelaide District Hockey Club after moving back to SA from interstate in the 2004 season. I submit the following list of his contributions to the club in that period in support of my nomination for him to be awarded life membership, which I believe he richly deserves. Not this list is not exhaustive and is merely a summary:
Paul has been an active playing member of the club (and State Veteran’s sides) for this entire period, across numerous senior grades;
Paul has coached both men’s and women’s Reserve/Metro 1 grades, with 1 premiership, in addition to managing and assisting several sides throughout this period;
Paul has served in various roles on our club committee – treasurer, secretary (2009, when he filled both president and secretary roles, and also 2013-15), and president (2007-2011), all extremely demanding roles and critical to the club’s development, existence and success both on and off-field. He has brought a level of commitment, professionalism and passion to the various roles which has been second to none, guiding us through numerous grant applications, pitch replacements, delicate negotiations with Hockey SA, council, and other stakeholders such as government with great aplomb. He has been a true President and statesman in times of crisis as well as success, and carried himself with dignity and impartiality throughout;
Becks has also been a panel umpire for several years, and has often impromptu filled this and tech bench roles without complaint.
Undoubtedly the quality of service that Becks has provided and time committed during his era with the hockey club makes him a more than worthy recipient of PADHC life membership.
Guy commenced playing for the Port Adelaide District Hockey Club around the age of 10-12 years approx. Marilyn Young invited him to play after having participated in the Largs Bay Primary School team in approximately 1981. He played all his junior hockey here and unfortunately stopped at the end of his Under 17’s (as it was then) as he was not invited to join any senior teams the following year.
After a break of around 3 years (and at the request of his terminally ill mother, Heather) he returned to the PADHC at the age of 21. He has continued to play (and manage, coach represent on the committee) uninterrupted ever since. This would be from 1992 until 2018 a period of 26 years.
He brought both his niece and nephew (Tash and Michael Wightman) to the club and coached a number of junior teams from around 1993 – 1998.
Somewhere in the period of 1998-2002 he served as Junior Coordinator on the committee for 2 years and continued to coach junior grades between this period.He continued to play/manage during 2002 to 2006 he reprised his coaching role with the Under 9’s when his son Drew commenced playing.
This continued from 2006 through to 2010.
He served as a general committee member for around 2 years around 2010-2012. He moved into a senior coaching role with the Metro 1 Women in 2015. Coaching for 3 seasons and winning one premiership and 2 runners up.
As a player himself he has won in excess of 15 Premierships across Metro 1 through to Metro 4 and Veterans/Masters. He has participated in 3 Masters Games and in 2010 was awarded the William “Bill” Drewett Award for playing service to the club. He captained/coached the Metro 4 (Muppets) side to 3 or 4 premierships in more recent years and in 2018 has stepped backed up to Metro 3 where he again manages the side.
Throughout the 2000’s he has been an integral part of “the hill” on Grand Final days supplying canopies, support and creating video content as an everlasting memory of club success for all to share. His dedication to off season working bees, general maintenance, managing “roasts on the spit” for club home days, not to mention complete renovation of the club kitchen in the “new millennium” has been second to none. Examples such as ice machine and the like, employing club members such as David Reid. Whilst he may not gain points for years spent on committees, there isn’t a person in the last 25 years at the club that could doubt his love, enthusiasm and complete commitment to the Port Adelaide District Hockey Club.
He would rather give up playing completely than move to another club. He is the true definition of “club man”.
Club Record:
On-field:
Coaching:
Sarah (affectionately known as Harry) commenced playing with the Club in 1998. She first made the Premier League team in 2000 and has played in 18 consecutive Grand Finals – winning 14 premiership medals.
This magnificent record is unparalleled in the history of Hockey in this State. Sarah’s record of success, both from a team and individual point of view, places her at the highest echelon of performers across our club’s rich history. The numbers speak for themselves.
However, they do not accurately reflect how she has been a unifying figure, not just with her uncompromising style of play and the setting of the finest example on the training track, but when there have been times of crisis and the team has been up against it, Sarah both as captain and player has led by example and more often than not come out on top.
It is staggering to this day how this has not been recognized with an association medal, but to win 4 Magpie medals and 6 MVP’s in a side littered with State and Australian representation, and with unprecedented team success, speaks volumes for her on-field contribution.
Sarah’s work on both the social and sponsorship committee’s has been outstanding, with numerous large and small sponsorships garnered particularly in recent years in a time where sponsorships have been hard to find in general for sporting clubs. She has been the driving force behind a vibrant social program for the club for a decade now.
Club Record:
On-field:
State Representative:
National Representative:
Coaching:
Paul Finnie has been an outstanding Club member spanning 29 years. His service detailed below is both exceptional and outstanding:
Assistant Secretary, other Committee position, Sub-committee
Coach or Team Manager
Playing Member
Highlights
Fiona Prentice has been an integral part of the Port Adelaide District Hockey Club for over 22 years, making a lasting impact both on and off the field. Her journey began in 1992 at Largs Bay Primary School, where she first picked up a hockey stick, and she officially joined the club as a player in 2000.
Throughout her time at the club, Fiona has demonstrated unwavering dedication, commitment, and leadership. Her contributions have significantly shaped the club’s success and community spirit, requiring immense personal effort and passion. She has been a role model for sportsmanship, teamwork, and the club’s values, earning respect and admiration from all who have had the privilege of playing alongside or working with her.
Key Contributions & Achievements:
Fiona’s service has been nothing short of exceptional. Her leadership, dedication, and tireless work behind the scenes have left an indelible mark on the club. It is with great appreciation and admiration that we recognise Fiona Prentice as a Life Member of the Port Adelaide District Hockey Club.
The Port Adelaide District Hockey Club proudly recognises Sue Kitto as a Life Member in honor of her outstanding service and dedication spanning over 15 years. A quiet achiever, Sue has made invaluable contributions both on and off the field, embodying the true spirit of the club.
Her journey began as Secretary of the Junior Committee, and in recent years, she has been best known for her meticulous management of the club canteen. However, her impact extends far beyond that role, with a legacy of leadership, service, and commitment to the club’s growth and success.
Key Contributions & Achievements:
Sue’s dedication, professionalism, and quiet leadership have earned her deep respect within the club and the wider South Australian hockey community. Her unwavering commitment to the values of the club makes her a truly deserving recipient of Life Membership.
We thank Sue for her exceptional service and congratulate her on this well-earned recognition.
Crystal Morrison has been an outstanding member of the Port Adelaide District Hockey Club for almost 20 years. Crystal joined the Club in 2004 after relocating from Melbourne and soon became a passionate Magpie.
Since that time Crystal has contributed substantially to our Club and is a well-deserved nominee for life membership. Crystal has demonstrated an unwavering commitment and an impressive record of service spanning nearly two decades. Crystal has not only exemplified the core values of our Club but has also gone above and beyond in fostering its growth and prosperity.
Crystal embodies the very essence of our Club, and her passion for its success is contagious. It is evident that her contributions have not only shaped our past but will continue to influence our future positively.
Crystal has been an activist and notable contributions include:
Summary of Crystal’s service and participation.
Hockey Administration/volunteer roles
Coaching
Awards
Playing Awards
Premierships
