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   VALE – GARY  CHARLES  WILDMAN.

     20 SEPTEMBER 1945 – 25 JULY 2019.

It was indeed a sad day on the 25 July 2019 , when Gary passed away and he will be dearly missed by his loving Family Members Gail/husband Ken,Denise,Sharonne, Craig,Deanna,Mikarla and his Grandchildren plus his deceased Father Ron and Mother Agnes. Additionally the countless persons’ who had the pleasure to met and know Gary and those fortunate to have played rugby league with him at Waterloo Public School, Cleveland St. Boys High School, South Sydney Junior League Clubs Chelsea United, Alexandra Rovers, South Sydney Junior League Representative Teams and Arncliffe Scots RL Club , will forever remember the wonderful person he was and his remarkable playing ability.

 

Gary grew up in South Sydney heartland in Kellick St., Waterloo just down the road from Redfern Oval and he attended the local Waterloo Public School from 1951 (5 years old) where he first met Alan Webb, before completing his higher school education at Cleveland St. Boys High School . Upon leaving school he undertook an apprenticeship as a Motor Mechanic and remained in the industry for a number of years and proved countless times there was no mechanical item that he could not repair. During his working life he worked overseas, mining sites in Western Australia and in Orange .

Gary was a naturally gifted rugby league player, possessing  remarkable agility and tenacity , it was no wonder that he developed into a highly talented rugby league player as either a Centre and/or Winger. His rugby league career started in 1957 at Waterloo Public School ,when the School were the Premiers in their first year of competition .

Mid row 2nd LHS Alan Webb ..

Front row 1st LHS Gary Wildman and 4th LHS John Rankin.

* Alan, Gary and David Seeto in 1957.

His uncanny knack to win competitions did not stop in Primary School because in his 3 years from 1958 until 1960 at Cleveland St.Boys High School he tried his hand at playing rugby union and won consecutive premierships but the amazing fact is that apart from becoming a stronger lifelong Mate and team member with Alan , others in those teams were a group of young men that he would play rugby league with in subsequent years , including Dave Seeto, Sonny Toohey, John Shortland and Davy Southan.

* David Seeto, Gary in front row Alan Webb at rear.

Back row middle John Shortland ; 2nd row 2nd RHS Davy Southan .

Front  row 5th LHS Sonny Toohey.

After completing High School both Gary and Alan both thought they would play rugby league with their ex school mates plus many new ones like Ron Black, Frank Bostick, Larry Gaffney and Neil Hayward (Dec) at the strong Chelsea United JRLF Club. That decision , to the delight of the Chelsea United JRLF Club’s Executives, marked the beginning of a remarkable/outstanding rugby league career by Gary, which resulted in a unique achievement of winning 12 premierships in a 10 year period . At the Chelsea United Club in 6 years he played in the following premiership teams:

– F Grade 1958 and 1959

* Gary and Alan.

– E Grade 1960

* Gary.

– D Grade 1961 and 1962

* Alan, Gary, and David Seeto in front.

– C Grade 1963 .

 * Alan and Gary together.

In 1963 he accompanied Alan across to the renowned Alexandria Rovers JRLF Club taking along another skilled player John Rankin and not surprisingly immediate success followed by winning the competitive B Grade competitions in 1964 – 1966 . It was at Alexandria Rovers Club he would become great Mates with and play with skilled players Gary “Dinga” Bell, Brian Ingram and John Tougher.

*Gary and Alan.

Back row 7th from left Ken Porter, Garys brother in law.

Middle row 2nd from LHS Dinga Bell , 3rd LHS John Rankin .

Front row 2nd LHS Brian Ingram

 

Whilst Gary was winning all these premierships , his skills and impeccable character came under the ever watchful eyes of a team of South Sydney JRL Representative Team Selectors and it was no wonder that he was selected in the South Sydney representative teams of Jersey Flegg 1961 Runners Up and 1962 Premiers .

* Alan and Gary.

Other Chelsea United players in team are middle row 2nd from LHS Norm Hazzard, 3rd from LHS Ron Black.

Front row 3rd from RHS John Shortland.

 

Souths 14 beat Parramatta 9.

The Team Toured NZ in 1961.

Gary is seated second from the left.

The Presidents Cup 1965 Premiers and 1966 Runners Up .

1965 Final Team Sheet.

Souths 20 beat Parramatta 2.

Gary in these teams played alongside future Australian Representative players Bob McCarthy, Ron Coote , Eric Simms and Paul Sait, so one can imagine how competitive it was to be selected in these brilliant teams.

Souths Presidents Cup Team tour to Darwin.

* Alan Webb and Gary Wildman.

Again in 1967 he got itchy feet again and transferred with Alan and David Seeto to play in the 2nd Division Arncliffe Scots RLC Reserve Grade Premiership team.

 *Alan, Gary and David Seeto.

 

In recent years Gary has been a welcomed regular attendee , along with brother in law Ken Potter , at our Chelsea Old Mates Group functions at the Alexandria Erskineville Bowling Club where he was able to catch up with his life long friends and ex team mates.

Gary, Ron Black, Terry Murray, Alan Webb and Norm Pracy.

 

Gary’s Funeral Service was held on the 1 August 2019 at the Castlebrook Memorial Park, Rouse Hill and as a sign of the high respect that he was held the Chapel was full to capacity. It also was fitting that Alan delivered a heart warming Eulogy and amongst the congregation were the majority of his Mates and ex Team Mates dating back to 1951 , Glenda Hayward and several Members of the Chelsea Old Mates Group.

Gary in full flight.

NZ Tour of 1961.

 

MAY GARY REST IN PEACE – YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN OUR HEARTS and PRAYERS .

 

by Ken Vessey

for Chelsea Old Mates Group

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