Mr McCLELLAND (Barton) (11.22 a.m.)—Last week the St George district lost a legend. The chief executive of the St George District Rugby League Football Club, Robert Stone, died at the age of 49 years. Robert Stone was a St George Rugby League great. Robert was known for his courage and toughness on the field, captaining St George in 1984, having played in the 1977 and 1979 premiership teams. Robert played 283 games for St George, a figure exceeded only by famous St George players Norm Provan and Billy Smith. As chief executive of the St George Football Club, he was instrumental in the St George Illawarra Dragons returning to their famous Kogarah Jubilee home ground. Many professional footballers today owe their success to Robert Stone as a coach, mentor or development officer, and many people owe their success to his skills as a teacher.

From an early age Robert was a role model for others. I grew up around the corner from Robert. We played for the same Blakehurst Rugby Union Football Club, but Robert was two years older. Through representative selection, Robert’s toughness became known throughout the district. I can recall vividly when I was about 16 years of age being at a dance at the Carrs Park swimming pool when a group of my friends and I were surrounded by other boys from a neighbouring school—some brandishing weapons. I remember to this day Robert, who was just two years older, coming to stand beside us. In his calm and relaxed style he simply inquired, with wry humour, ‘Is there a problem here?’ His presence, size and reputation immediately resolved that situation. It was a source of enormous pride to see our mate achieve such success on the Rugby League playing field but, despite his status as a local hero, Robert always had time to have a yarn with his mates in the local area.

I have always enjoyed Robert’s company immensely, but must admit that I did not always enjoy the following morning. It was not commonly known that Robert was a deep thinker and had an earthy wisdom. During policy debates within the Labor Party, if I thought things were going a bit way out—as I must admit they can do from time to time—I would try to bring them back to reality, as you may recall, Mr Deputy Speaker McMullan, by quoting the Robert Stone view of life. Indeed, Mark Latham played on that fact on the evening before his leadership ballot. When I informed him that I was still undecided later that evening, he was prepared to take a gamble and said to me, ‘Why don’t you ask Stoney?’ The rest of that story is now history.

Robert literally had the ability to mix with all ranks, from a kid in a local football team to the Prime Minister. Indeed, on the day that Robert died, I received a phone call from the Prime Minister expressing his personal grief and asking me for the details of Robert’s family so that he could convey his personal sympathy. Robert brought his courage to his fight against cancer. He was privileged to have the love and support of his family. He was nurtured to the last by his wife, Anne, daughters, Melissa and Belinda, and son, Michael. He was supported by his mother, Iris, his elder brother, Peter, and Anne’s family. The entire St George Illawarra Dragons were first class in their support of Robert during, in particular, his final months. Danny Robinson, Peter Doust and others can take enormous pride in the care they provided to our great mate and a great Australian.