Vale John Mulford, NSW and Australian Rugby’s honorary archivist

Dec 23 • General News, International • 1476 Views • Comments Off on Vale John Mulford, NSW and Australian Rugby’s honorary archivist

The NSW Rugby Union is mourning the passing of John Mulford who passed away peacefully on Wednesday afternoon aged 88 after a short illness.

Born in Forbes in country NSW on the 25th September 1928, Mulford was renowned for his service and contribution to the NSW Rugby scene as a player, official, administrator and one of the game’s greatest historians.

Connected with some of NSW Rugby’s greats during his playing years with Drummoyne, Mulford was the founder and driving force of the Rugby Archives in 1994, becoming the honorary archivist for the New South Wales and Australian Rugby Unions.

He was the main contributing author of “Guardians of the Game – The History of the New South Wales Rugby Union”. He also wrote the history of the “Dirty Reds” Drummoyne, Glebe and Balmain rugby.

In 2000 he was awarded the Australian Sports Medal for this ‘contribution to the game of rugby union and the youth of Australia’ and recognised by the Australian Rugby Union with the Joe French Award for his contribution to Australian Rugby.

“John made an incredible service to NSW Rugby as our honorary archivist who did so much to keep the history of the game in this state and country alive,” NSW Rugby CEO Andrew Hore said.

“The NSW and Australian Rugby landscapes are all the richer for his work in recollecting the history of this game, leaving a lasting reminder of the legacy that continues to form the values and culture of this Club.

“On behalf of everyone at NSW Rugby, our thoughts are with John’s family and friends and all members of the rugby community that had the pleasure of knowing or meeting him.”

“John’s knowledge and insight of rugby in NSW were second to none. His contribution as an administrator, player, referee and historian for over 60 years was immense,” General Manager of NSW Community Rugby, Mark Green said.

“He will be sorely missed by his fellow NSW Honorary life members and the wider rugby community.”

“He’s been our club patron for over 15 years and a tremendous supporter who continued to attend games every year,” Drummoyne Club President, Danny Rawlings said.

“He’s seen the club through good times and bad and held roles in almost every position here.”

A representative of the Drummoyne Rugby Club, Mulford Captained the Reds’ undefeated State junior Premiership teams of 1947 and 1948 and the Combined State Under 21s team.

He played first grade for Drummoyne from 1949 to 1952 before becoming a first-grade referee.

In 1982 he became the President of the Club, a position he held until 1987, but remained an active member until 2001 when he was made Club Patron. He was elected as the President of the Sydney Rugby Union in 1989 and Chairman and Senior Vice President of the NSW Rugby Union in 1990.

Mulford was also made an honorary Life Member of both the Drummoyne and the NSW Rugby Union.

He graduated from Sydney University with a degree in economics and worked as a company chairman in the manufacturing industry.