Dave Heptonstall – A true gentleman
Recently, Northern Sydney Committee Wellbeing Officers Norm Pounder, Ian Dodds and Ken Vessey had the pleasure to visit a loyal Men of League Foundation member, Dave Heptonstall and his lovely wife Nancy at their seaside Collaroy home.
We had heard that Dave was recovering at home after breaking his pelvis some weeks before in a fall at his home. Being the type of man Dave is, he is well on the road to recovery under the caring eyes of Nancy.
Dave has been involved in rugby league, in one way or another, all of his life and today he is amongst a group of Men of League Foundation volunteers, including Ian and Ken, who have been attending the NRL “Heroes & Legends” Rugby League Museum, NRL Central, Sydney for over 5 years, to act as guide for the visitors through the various magnificent displays illustrating our game’s rich and wonderful history from 1908. All of the volunteers will not miss their allotted day at the museum, as they all enjoy being part of this wonderful institution, working and discussing rugby league with the museum Historian, Terry Williams.
Dave told us that he was born in Berry, NSW on the South Coast, where he first started playing rugby league prior to attending the prestigious Hawkesbury Agricultural College, Richmond NSW.
After leaving College, he played first grade rugby league in Grafton and Coffs Harbour as a centre, was selected in the 1956 Country Week North Coast representative team that played the Parramatta “Eels” District RLF Club first grade team at Parramatta Oval but unfortunately were defeated.
After that, he was selected in the North Coast representative team again to play against the touring New Zealand “Kiwis” National Rugby League but did not play due to being injured.
Nancy and Dave told us with great pride about their family comprising of daughter Sue, their four sons Greg, Steve, Paul and Mike along with 13 grandchildren plus two great-grandchildren.
All of his career, Dave had been employed in the dairy industry with the Department of Agriculture and they had many fond memories of the districts they had lived in before moving to Sydney. These days, he loves watching NRL matches on the television and in the past he has supported the North Sydney Bears, North Qld Cowboys and lastly the Wests Tigers clubs , where his son Paul was employed.
We presented Dave with a Men of League Foundation polo shirt plus a cap, wished him a speedy recovery and both he and Nancy continued good health.
In response, they were both very appreciative of our visit, our gifts and wished the Men of League Foundation continued success.
By Ken Vessey
Wellbeing Coordinator Northern Sydney Men of League
