25/09/2026
Remembering John Milner 🏑 💔
Last month, a celebration was held to honour the life of John Milner, who sadly passed away at the age of 98.
John was a Life Member of Westside Wolves and a much-loved figure in the WA hockey community. He continued playing hockey until just three years ago with WA Hockey Masters, bringing his lifetime tally to an extraordinary nearly 2,000 games.
John, together with Ross Easton, was instrumental in starting the process that ultimately led to the formation of Westside Wolves Hockey Club.
At the time, Ross was President of The Christ Church Old Boys Hockey Club and John was Secretary. The club was doing well in 1B, but the challenge of progressing to 1A appeared increasingly difficult. John and Ross convinced the rest of the committee to explore an approach to Old Scotch Hockey Club, then playing in 1C.
Neil McKerracher of Old Scotch embraced the opportunity, and from that meeting of minds, the foundations were laid of what, after subsequent amalgamations with Grads and Cricketers hockey clubs, would become the Westside Wolves Hockey Club. The rest, as they say, is history.
John is the first Life Member of Westside Wolves to pass away, and his contribution to our club and to hockey in Western Australia will not be forgotten.
On behalf of everyone at Wolves, we extend our deepest sympathies to John's wife, Geraldine, his daughters Tracey and Lisa, and his extended family.
John's longevity, passion and commitment to hockey were truly remarkable. His nearly 2,000 games are testament to a life lived with an extraordinary love of the game.
Below is a wonderful story about John from a Today Tonight feature in 2018, which recognised him at the time as the oldest hockey player in WA — and arguably Australia.
Watch the 2018 Today Tonight story about John
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DXGiTLC1K/?
Vale John. Thank you for everything you gave to hockey and to Wolves. 💞🐺
