Outstanding service

Press, 19 December 1986, Page 26

Outstanding service

Hockey in New Zealand lost one of its great identities with the death in Christchurch recently of Mr Bob Milne. Mr Milne served the sport at club, provincial and national level for more than 40 years and was suitably rewarded with an 0.8. E. for his services to the game.

Mr Milne joined the Sydenham Hockey Club in 1930 through a church group. He progressed to the club’s senior team and played in it for several years. He was chosen for several matches for Canterbury. After his playing days Mr Milne entered the administration of hockey. He served Sydenham so dutifully that he was made a life member in 1948, the club’s jubilee year. Mr Milne advanced to administration at Canterbury and New Zealand association level, but always retained strong ties with the Sydenham club.

He joined the Canterbury Hockey Association as its treasurer in 1949

and served as president for several years in the 1950’5. He was made a life member of the association in 1964. In 1957 Mr Milne was elected to the management committee of the New Zealand, Hockey Association, a position he held for 23 years. He served as chairman of the management committee in 1973 and 1974, and also served a term as the N.Z.H.A. president. In 1971 he was made a life member of the N.Z.H.A. More recently Mr Milne was a member of the Canterbury Hockey Artificial Surface Appeal board and it was unfortunate he could not see its completion. He was the first president of the Canterbury Hockey Supporters’ Club and at the recent annual meeting of the Canterbury Hockey Association, recently Mr Jim Bowden, the chairman, paid tribute to the work of Mr Milne and pointed out to delegates in the lounge at Porritt Park that there would always be a reminder of his diligent work on the honours joard in the lounge. Mr Milne initiated the board and kept it up to date. Mr Milne is survived by his, wife Jean.