Ed Whiley was a legend through his life-long participation and association with the Manly Warringah Rugby League Football Club (Manly Warringah RLFC) and the local community. He was a local product from the Christian Brothers Junior Rugby League Club. He graduated to grade rugby league as a talented halfback to become Number 163 x 1st grade player for the Manly Warringah RLFC, playing from 1964 – 1971 in 37 x 1st grade matches, including playing in the 1970 1st grade Grand Final against South Sydney.
He was honoured with Life Membership in 1992 and elected Chairman, Manly Warringah RLFC from 1999-2000.
Ed was renowned for his willingness to offer his advice and assistance to countless of young rugby league players, upon them beginning to play in the Club’s grade teams.
He was one of most respected persons in the broad Rugby League Community and throughout the Manly Warringah District, who will always be remembered for his kind manner and warm personality.
Our condolences are extended to his loving wife Pam, daughter Natalie, son Brett and Family Members and Friends.
RIP ED, WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU.
Neil Bell, a man who epitomised the people Family of League supports, and is supported by, passed away peacefully with his family by his side in Gympie on May 26th. Born in 1957, Neil’s involvement with our game started in 1968 with the Murrumba Under 6 stone team and he was still with them two years later when they won the premiership. In 1971, playing for Redcliffe under 14s he received the Best Forward Award and the next year was part of the Dolphins’ Under 15s that won the Division Two premiership. Neil played for the Dolphins’ U17s and U18s. This team has stayed in touch and this year will have their 50th Year reunion. He played senior football in the Pine Rivers district until 1990. Neil loved sport, playing golf, cricket and tennis and believed if a child played sport, it would keep them out of trouble and they’d have friends for life. State of Origin games were sacrosanct to Neil and, wearing his beloved 50-year-old Dolphins’ jersey, he would be glued to the screen. Gympie Family of League people remember Neil’s welcoming manner and his courage as he battled illness over a long period. He would always say, “There’s plenty of people doing it tougher than me”. Which prompted one of them to say that “He had a ticker as big as Pharlap’s”. Rest in Peace Neil.
David Morrow died from brain cancer at the age of 71. Morrow was the sound of ABC coverage of rugby league for more than three decades and was the voice of Saturday football on television until 1996. He joined radio station 2GB in 2015. Popularly referred to as ‘Thirsty’, he was only diagnosed with cancer late 2023 and, because of his deteriorating condition, was inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame mid 2024.
Stephen Blyth better known as “Butch”, “Honest”, “Stephanos” or “Blythy” to his mates, passed away 29 May 2024.
Steve’s love of rugby league started at just four years old as a junior at Berala Bears. By 1974, he joined Western Suburbs Magpies, playing 49 first grade games over five seasons. Known for being a tough-tackling second-rower, Steve became a crowd favourite at Lidcombe Oval, leaving an impact on the club, his teammates and fans alike.
He later moved to Newtown Jets, playing 44 first grade games, including the memorable 1981 Grand Final against Parramatta. During his time at the Jets, he earned the nickname “honest” for admitting to a few extra missed tackles during a tough match during a team talk by the coach.
Beyond the field, Steve was also working as an apprentice lift mechanic in Sydney, where he met his wife, Colleen. They married in 1976 and welcomed two children, Adam in 1980 and Heidi in 1981.
As a young family man, Steve juggled various jobs and studied nights at TAFE to become an electrical engineer, eventually running his own business.
Known as “Blythy” amongst mates, his infectious personality made him a beloved figure in both his work and personal lives. Steve also left a warm imprint on close Greek friends who he regarded as his extended family, fondly adopting the name of “Stephanos”
Steve’s memory lives on through his family, friends and teammates, his love and zest for life leaving a lasting impression on all who knew him.
Gary Cameron. A former ‘Galloping Green’ and Cronulla player, Gary passed away after a battle with cancer. Garry was also a talented boxer as well as cowboy. Nicknamed Rusty, and ‘Gadget’ in his days at Armidale, he was awarded Man of the Match in the 1979 Amco Cup playing (and winning) with Cronulla against Brisbane Firsts.
Born in Newcastle, Cameron arrived at the Sharks in 1977, debuting in the top grade that same year in a round three match at Cronulla’s home ground of Endeavour Field.
Versatile enough to play a variety of roles including half back, fullback or centre, his preferred position was five eighth, with Cameron cementing a regular place in the side by the 1978 season, while in 1979 he appeared in both the Sharks teams contesting the major semi and preliminary finals.
His final game for the Sharks was in a round 22 match against Manly in 1980.
Following his rugby league career, Cameron was a longtime publican in Forster on the NSW North Coast, before moving to Armidale in the northwest of the state.
VALE William Thomas Herbert passing away on the 22nd May 2024 aged 70.
Tommy came to Bombala in southern NSW in 1991, a good year to be in Bombala as their First Grade and Reserve grade sides were on the march to the Group 16 Grand Final. Tommy was here to ride Track work for the Barbara Joseph Stable for three weeks he stayed for 33 years.
He loved the horses been a jockey, trainer and strapper during his younger years until an inconspicuous accident in the stables lead to a bacterial infection in his left shoulder that left him without any muscle on that side. But Tommy was a fighter and against the odds survived much to our communities benefit some years later.
Tommy was a mad keen Roosters man, gee he drove us mad, he loved them, and he defended every negative comment made. He gave as good as he got.
He was loved in the community and in the league circles, a keen supporter of both seniors and juniors and the league tag.
Tommy was very interested when Men of League started and it wasn’t long and he had the idea on starting the Southern Monaro Men of League. Bombala fell in-between the Monaro MOL. to the North East and the Far South Coast areas and when Tommy got an idea in his head he was hard to convince otherwise. Stuart Raper gave Tommy a target to achieve of 100 new members to kick off the Southern Monaro Men of League. Challenge accepted and the Southern Monaro Men of League was Born.
This little ex Jockey thrived on the responsibility on organising events, Bowls days, Golf days, guest speakers, he enjoyed it, and everyone enjoyed being around him.
BBQ’s were his favourite, he’d cook at the local footy, he would throw his hand up and anyone else’s if you just happened to be having a beer with him when the call came in. The Australia Day Sausage Competition was an enjoyable day as long as he didn’t start drinking too early. Burnt sausages don’t win and upset the butchers (don’t they Tommy!) He would organise t-shirts, 100 club raffles, wood carting, it was endless.
He was always a joy to be around, if he was having a good time, he wanted everyone to have a goodtime.
We will miss his funny stories his friendship and his company and Tommy being just Tommy.
Len Dittmar played all three games for Queensland in the 1971 inter-state series, and was earmarked as a future Australian Test representative forward.
But his career came to an abrupt end early in 1973, as a result of a knee injury playing for Brothers in the Brisbane competition.
Brothers’ teammate, and close friend David Wright said prop forward Dittmar stood tall in a brutal era for the game, never taking a backward step, and earning the respect of teammates and rivals alike.
“If not for the injury, I reckon Lenny would have played for Australia, maybe for a decade,” said Wright, who represented his country during the 1975 World Series.
Dittmar, 73, died on Thursday, August 1, after a battle with cancer.
He made his first grade debut for Brothers in 1969, and was a one club man during his time in the Brisbane competition, but also had a stint with famous Yorkshire club, Hull FC, in 1972-73.
Dittmar was a Life Member of Mooloolaba Surf Club, where he forged a reputation as a champion surfboat rower.
His father, Len Snr, a former national welterweight champion, was inducted into the Australian Boxing Hall of Fame in 2022.
Len, who lived at Sandgate with his wife Jenny, was a fireman for much of his working life, and also was a staunch supporter of the Family of League Foundation.
-Steve Ricketts
