Vale Meg Wilson

Hockey Australia is saddened to hear of the passing of former Hockeyroo Meg Wilson (née Weaver) OAM AM on 7 May 2021.

Born on 22 January 1925 in Tasmania, Meg became the 122nd player capped for the Hockeyroos, making her debut on 4 September 1948.

Meg made a profound contribution to women’s hockey in Australia and was a devoted and tireless servant and ambassador for the sport throughout her life. Her contribution to the game she loved was felt not only in her homeland but around the world.

As a player, Meg represented Tasmania from 1946-1950, captaining the state team for three of those years. She was selected for the All Australian team at each of her five interstate tournaments and was a member of the 1948 Australian Touring Team to New Zealand.

Following her successful playing career Meg became a state A Umpire. She began coaching the Tasmanian team in 1958 and held that position until 1963, then after a four-year break resumed coaching the state team from 1968 to 1980. She also coached and managed the Australian team at the IFWHA Tournament in 1975.

In 1971 Meg was awarded Life Membership of the Australian Women’s Hockey Association (AWHA) where she fulfilled the role of President between 1985 and 1996. Meg was an inspired choice as President, proving to have the leadership skills needed to lead the association toward becoming the leading women’s hockey nation.

She was also President of the Tasmanian Women’s Hockey Association (TWHA) from 1966-1989, an Association she would become a Life Member of.

Meg received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the sport of hockey in 1985, and a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for service to hockey in 1991.

Her administration acumen and knowledge of both the on and off field aspects of hockey saw Meg appointed Vice President of the Oceania Hockey Federation, a role she fulfilled for two decades. For a period of this time Meg was also a selector for the AWHA and convenor of the AWHA Selection Committee. She also sat on the board of the Tasmanian Sports Institute.

She was appointed as the first Australian Women’s Hockey Association (AWHA) representative to the International Hockey Federation (FIH) Council in 1986 and quickly earned the respect of other representatives. Induction into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame followed in 1990.

Meg’s passion for the sport at all levels saw her develop and introduce the games of Minky and Half Field hockey (both modified rules for juniors) to be promoted at primary schools throughout Australia.

Making Meg’s life and what she gave of herself even more remarkable was the fact her husband Bill died when she was only 28 years old leaving her widowed with a six-month-old daughter.

The Australian hockey community extends its condolences to Meg’s family and joins them in acknowledging her remarkable life and achievements.

Hockey Australia wishes to thank and acknowledge Janet Beverley, the Sport Australia Hall of Fame and Hockey Tasmania for the information.