Colin Wansbrough turns 90

The Camberwell Hockey Club proudly celebrates the 90th birthday of Colin (Col) Wansbrough next Saturday 21 February—an extraordinary milestone for a man whose impact on the club, Victorian hockey, and Australian hockey is impossible to overstate.

Col began his CHC career in 1949 in the Under 16s, playing alongside local mates such as Ally Carnell and Billy Horman under the captaincy of Ric Purser. He quickly progressed into A Grade under the guidance of legendary coach Charley Morley, joining a star-studded Camberwell lineup of the 1950s that included Mike Craig, the Purser brothers, Alan Carnell, Hammo Wood, Ken Birkett and Ron Legg. Col became a fixture on the half-back line and went on to play in multiple A Grade premierships and represent Victoria at national championships.

His contribution off the field is even more remarkable. At Charley Morley’s “encouragement,” Col began administrative work as Treasurer of the Victorian Amateur Hockey Association. This launched decades of service at club, state, national and international levels, including roles of VAHA Treasurer, VHA President, AHA Victorian Delegate, AHA Treasurer, FIH Technical Delegate and Tournament Director, ,and founder of Veterans Hockey in Victoria.

Col was instrumental in organising the first major international hockey event in Melbourne since the 1956 Olympics - the Esanda World Hockey Tournament (where he was Grounds and Protocol Manager), working with a colourful and dedicated committee whose legendary meetings at the Flagstaff Hotel produced decisive results and lifelong memories.

Colin and Jenny Wansbrough with Mike Craig

Beyond hockey, Col successfully ran Gainsborough Hardware while supporting his family alongside his wife Jenny. He has proudly followed the hockey journeys of his grandchildren, often travelling to national championships as a devoted grandfather. Despite Jenny’s current ill health, Col remains deeply connected to Camberwell Hockey Club, attending events whenever he can and taking joy in watching the club grow into a diverse, vibrant community.

Spanning 75 years of service, Col’s legacy is one of dedication, humility, humour and unmatched commitment - a life member and former President of Camberwell Hockey Club, and a life member of both the Victorian and Hockey Australia Associations.

To Col Wansbrough - friend, mentor, competitor, leader, husband, father and grandfather - we extend our warmest congratulations Col on your 90th birthday from all of us at Camberwell. We look forward to seeing you at Matlock soon as the next generation of Wellers continues the tradition you helped build.

A huge thank you to contributors David Wansbrough, Sally Wansbrough, Col Imer and Simon Winter