Vale Morrie Willcoxson

It is with sadness that we advise of the passing of Morrie Willcoxson, one of the stalwarts and great administrators of our Club. He was 96.

Morrie Willcoxson had a long association with rugby through Eastwood juniors and joined our Club at a pivotal time in the early 70’s.

Our senior teams had grown and enjoyed considerable success on the field in the few years before, but we needed improved direction and structure in the Club’s administration.

Morrie was introduced to our club through Michael Moss (Life Member) and was appointed as President in 1972. He continued in that role until 1980.

He was a person of immense integrity and his strongly held view was that to be a successful Club on the field you needed a sound administration. He was instrumental in establishing clear guidelines for the management committee and stressed the need for codes of behaviour.

He was a font of knowledge to many of the younger players in the Club whom he encouraged to engage in the various administrative roles and empowered to step up.

He knew his limitation with regards the technical side of coaching and did not try to step into the coaching arena and he gave strong support to John Francis who was seniors coach at the same time.

 Morrie very much enjoyed the social side of rugby and he would be there at each game, often accompanied by his wonderful wife Gwynne (who predeceased him) and his family. 

 He was a regular at training sessions and was known to be one of the last to leave “Bert’s Cellars” late on a Thursday night/Friday morning.

 Morrie was awarded Life Membership in 1981.

 Morrie loved his connection with our Club and continued to follow the Club’s fortunes. He would try to get along to various reunions and Back to Boronia Days until his health prevented this.

Morrie was a proud Naval WW2 returned serviceman and was happy to regale  us with many a tale of a submariner’s life!

 Morrie’s term as President coincided with one of our Club’s most successful periods – on and off the field – and his contribution to that cannot be understated.

 He was a true friend and mentor to many in the Club.

 Vale Morrie.