Cecil S Parry

Featured Image: Mr D H Robertson (President) and Mr Cec Parry (Secretary Scone Race Club) 1950

These two men may well have established the template for what has now emerged as the social phenomenon known as the Scone Cup Race Meeting?

When I arrived in Scone (1967) many of the people with whom I mixed waxed eloquently about the late Ces (pronounced ‘Cess’) Parry. This was especially so for everyone associated in any way with the Race Club and sport in general. Jack Johnston and Harley Walden were particularly loquacious.

When researching the Race Club and searching through Harley’s rich archive I uncovered the following obituary from the Scone Advocate in the early 1950s. It’s written in a prolix style very redolent of the era. There remains no doubt whatsoever Cec Parry was a most important ‘cog’ in the community and the sporting fraternity in particular.

Obituary

Mr Cecil S Parry

‘Big Loss to Sporting Bodies’

When Mr Cecil Stanley Parry passed away to his last long rest late on Friday last, the town and sporting organisations in particular suffered one of their greatest losses in many years, for the subject of these lines had for a long span been indelibly associated with them in their many phases for a span which is the lot of few.

His withdrawal from a life of usefulness, although not altogether unexpected by those of his more intimate friends and confreres, was not tempered by the suddenness and shock which surrounded it. His health had long since been undermined by a complaint, that of bronchial-asthma, which virtually destined him for years of invalidity, but his strength of character, sangfroid and strong sense of humour comprised a bulwark in combating his attacker,  his indisposition. But in more recent months, or, perhaps, years, it became more apparent that he was wagering a hopeless fight, with resistance gradually weakening.

During the war years, Mr Parry joined the office staff of Messrs Pitt Son & Keene Pty Ltd, later transferring to NZL & MA Co., Limited, with which firm he was still associated at the time of his death.

Born in Scone 60 years ago and the only son (and child) of the late Mr and Mrs Simon Parry, who predeceased him long since, he was a carpenter by occupation, and in this vocation, saw many parts of this and the Northern State, but he made the town of his nativity his home centre almost continuously. He linked up with sport as a lad, remained attached thereto right to the end, and was an undoubted authority on most of its branches.

One of the stalwarts of Scone Football Club, first as a player, then as an executive, he was seen at his best as organiser and in an administrative capacity in those vintage years of 1931 – 33 when the home thirteen became possessed of the prized Barrett Shield, the big magnate of the game in the North and North-West right through to Singleton. The club, of which he was subsequently President until quite recent months, had no greater sponsor, admirer or supporter, and by it and its members down the years he invariably did the right and honourable thing, being at all times a stickler for fair play. In this particular field of play he became widely known and popular in the State from end to end, and his advice on problems was sought with regularity and given just as freely.

By just as many others he will be remembered because of his very close association with the Sport of Kings, and here it will be agreed that he gave of his best in his efforts to place racing on a firm footing in the Upper Hunter, and here also he did willingly proffer his services to any neighbouring like body seeking advice of information. As Honorary Secretary of the now successful Race Club, he was the personification of courtesy, plus proficiency, was always to be found in his place, and with the premier racing body of the State, the District Association and affiliated clubs, he was held in the highest esteem, with his reputation as an experienced and helpful executive never unsullied, never in doubt. He piloted the fixtures of the club from the days of its genesis at Alabama until it took over its own course at White Park, and watched with justifiable pride its ramifications extend to that of the premier club in its Association and almost without peer in the provincial districts of the State. He was also at the helm, so to speak, when pre-war racing was the vogue on the old St Aubins track. His interest in the club never waned, despite his precarious state of health, right to the last.

Mr Parry also gave yeoman service to Scone Bowling Club, of which he was likewise a prominent member.

He was also associated with the Scone Soldiers’ Memorial School of Arts for quite a term of years in the role of caretaker of the recreation room, where his interest was undiminished down the years, and where his service was also of the best.

A kindly, friendly, sympathetic and understanding citizen, he was also a man of integrity, with the outstanding traits of helpfulness and co-operation ever to the forefront in his gentlemanly make-up. He will be missed by very many friends from well outside his immediate family circle, where his wife (formerly Miss Coral Mould), sons and daughter will be commiserated with in the sad occurrence.

Children are: Simon Jack (Adelaide), Cecil Miller (Canberra) and Mrs R J Clark (Sydney).

The funeral took place on Monday last, with a service at St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Scone conducted by Rev J Mallyon, in the presence of a concourse representative of all sections of the community, and including many members of sporting organisations. The last service was at Beresfield Crematorium.

Pall bearers were Messrs N J and A Mould (brothers-in-law), AA Ashford and C R Elliott.