Almanac Footy (Legends) – Peter Singline: Singing The Praises Of Another Local Hero And Champion

 

 

 

 

I’m sitting in my study sifting through various bits and pieces of mainly sports related paperwork that I have accumulated over time. Many are early photographs, especially of the 1960s, and newspaper clippings.  Also included is an old cricket scorebook that my aging Aunt Dot in Tasmania gave me some time ago. Because it is completed in pencil, much of the information has faded, but as I turn the pages looking for familiar names, I find and recognise many people I knew from my childhood years. The book is a scorebook of the Swan Cricket Association that used to be.  It was an association of five and sometimes six teams and was a relatively strong country competition in the day.

 

In the score-book, one familiar name stands out, that of Peter Singline, a very good opening bat and competent change bowler for the Boy’s Club – a cricket club that he helped create.  I note regular scores for Peter of 50 or more and a score of 127 not out. His bowling figures are pretty good too, with an average of three and four wickets a match.

 

Peter was an excellent opening bat for the Boy’s Club cricket team and very difficult to get out. I recall much rejoicing on the part of other clubs in the local competition (especially Swansea) if they were able to get him out early before he settled. I can recall my Uncle Roger, then Swansea’s captain, commenting that ‘if we can get Peter Singline out early before he gets going, we’re in with a show’ – or words to that effect. My Dad, who was a medium-fast bowler for Swansea, always said that Peter had a good eye and was one of the hardest batsmen to dismiss.

 

Memories of Peter flood back.  You see, sadly, I learnt recently that Peter passed away on 19th October 2024.

 

Although born in Launceston, Peter grew up in Branxholm, a small rural town in north east Tasmania, about 90k from Launceston. His father Reg was a dairy farmer and mum Esther, who was always known as May, was a farmer’s wife with all the duties that farmers’ wives in the day were expected to do. One of five, Peter had four sisters Jeanie, Kaye, Elsie and Shirley.

 

As a boy, Peter’s early life was typical of many boys growing up in 1950s rural Tasmania. Schooled in the district, the day would begin early, up at 5am to bring the cows in for milking, then school and home for more chores and the evening milk. There was always time for sport however, football in the winter and cricket and tennis in the summer, as well as some fishing and rabbiting, or a swim.

 

After completing school, Peter found his first job as an assistant to the Council Clerk in the Swansea office of the former Glamorgan Municipality.  As a small boy I can remember Peter boarding with my Auntie Patty and family when he first came to live in Swansea. Later it was through my cousin Diane that Peter met Pat who became his wife for over 60 years.

 

Peter and Pat were a sporty and social couple, largely revolving around the sports they played.  Tennis and badminton together, football and cricket for Peter, and basketball (netball) for Pat. They always attended, supported and helped with other events within the local community. Pat enjoyed the local dances although Peter not so much – he wasn’t a Fred Astaire type.

 

Peter played in Swansea’s first premiership in the Fingal District Football Association (FDFA) when, in 1966, they defeated the mighty Rossarden team – the mountain men – who had won the previous five flags.  Peter, was a very skilled and tough player who dished out as good as he got in the days when football had just one umpire and was a very different game.

 

 

Peter Singline – second from right, front row. Reunion of 1966 premiership players.

 

After occupying the Council Clerk position for the Glamorgan Municipality for many years, greener pastures were sought in the mid -1970s when Peter accepted a position in Launceston with Gordon and Gotch, a print media company and substantial operation at that time. Industry changes saw the closure of Gordon and Gotch’s operations in Launceston and Peter moved to AWA Clarion before he and Pat eventually took over the freehold ownership of a Target store which they successfully operated until retirement.

 

Like a large number of Tasmanians, Peter was a staunch supporter and passionate member of the Hawthorn Football Club (Hawks).  Since the Hawks began playing home games at Launceston’s York Park (I still call it York Park!) in 2001, Peter and his son Jon had missed only two or three games.

 

When Peter had his first brush with cancer, his great nephew Jordan arranged to have a number of Hawks players visit Peter at home.  When COVID made this impossible, a jumper signed by the entire team was arranged. It was a gift Peter cherished for the remainder of his life. Peter rarely missed a Hawks game, whether it was watching them on TV or attending their matches at York Park. He preferred to quietly observe the contest, occasionally offering an insightful comment during breaks, rather than yelling or shouting while the game was in play. The same went for cricket; Peter enjoyed all three formats but, as a true student of the game, held Test Cricket in the highest regard, viewing it as the pinnacle of the sport.

 

After his move to Launceston Peter continued to play some social tennis and competitive badminton with Pat at the Elphin Sports Centre where, typically, he accepted a position on the committee.  Peter was a wonderful servant to the centre, so much so that, in 2017, they bestowed upon him their greatest honour, that of Life Membership.

 

Then there was lawn bowls, a pursuit that Peter had no intention of taking up in retirement, until a mate took him to the East Launceston Bowls Club ‘just for a look’ – he was quickly hooked.  Once a week turned into all weekend, turned into mid-week and with great success. In Club Championships Peter and his partner George Dearing won the 2013-14 B Grade Open Pairs and the 2014/15 Men’s B Pairs Championship; while representing the club, he was a member of the 2012/13 Bowls Tasmania Division 2 Reserve winning side and the 2013/2014 Saturday Division 3 premiership team.

 

Growing up in Swansea, I have very fond memories of Peter playing cricket for the Boy’s Club cricket team and football for the Swansea ‘Bulldogs’.  In my mind, Peter deserves to be remembered as one of the all-time football icons and champions of the Swansea Football Club and the Swan Cricket Association. Peter was one of the players, including my Uncle Donnie, that I looked up to in those great Swansea football sides of the early to mid 1960s.  The then Swansea half-back line of Peter, Dickie Press and Wayne Webb was quite possibly the best half-back line in the FDFA at that time. My old Pop (Bert) used to comment that the only player in the competition that could ever give Dickie some strife was Gus O’Boyle from Rossarden and how lucky Swansea was to have Peter and Wayne supporting Dickie to keep O’Boyle as quiet as possible – O’Boyle, of course, was a great player.

 

As a youngster, before I was old enough to participate, I always attended Tuesday and Thursday night footy training at the Swansea oval. I used to chase the balls when they were kicked out of the ground and return them to the players. Peter always attended training and I can remember him getting his post-training massages from the trainer at the time – I think Vic Webb. While being massaged Peter used to chat to me about many things (answer all my questions!) while I imbibed the free soup that was always on offer!

 

 

Peter on the right wearing a dressing gown as 19th/20th man for the Fingal District Football Association in 1963.

 

 

This was a very strong combined country team that consisted of several players that had played in either the Tasmanian Football League or Northern Tasmanian Football Association.  Peter had an excellent playing year.

 

 

Peter top row, second from right.

 

In the early 1960s, I can recall with fondness how great and caring Peter was with the young boys of the town when he worked tirelessly with John Quinn on a Wednesday evening to run the Swansea Boys Club in the community hall.

 

I have always given Peter the credit for my very successful career. With advice, support and a glowing reference, it was Peter, as Council Clerk, who helped me leave my small town environment with limited opportunities to further my education and work prospects in the city. Peter’s help really was the catalyst that set me on the way to a university education and a successful career as a senior corporate executive who has lived and worked around Australia and overseas.

 

The Peter Singline I remember from my youth was a hard, tough footballer and cricketer. A fighter who never seemed to tire and always gave his forward opponents no quarter. This picture belies his true self off the field, which was a kind, gentle, generous soul to each and everyone. Peter fought his final battle as he played his sport and lived his life, bravely and stoically. Never complaining, just getting on with things as best he could. Sadly, however, it was a battle Peter was never destined to win and one which he ultimately lost peacefully and with great dignity. Peter’s untimely passing is a closing but never to be forgotten chapter in the sporting history of Swansea and his memory should be treasured accordingly.

 

Who could have possibly imagined that the boy who spent time on football training nights at his local club drinking free soup and chatting to Peter Singline while he was being massaged, would today be writing this piece about the same man.

 

Sometimes nostalgia is emotional.

 

Footnote:
I want to thank Peter’s wife Pat and their son Jon for the extra information and photographs they provided which helped me write this piece.

 

To read more by Allan Barden click HERE.

 

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