Vale Des Hampson

Des Hampson loved rugby league and played his last match aged 54. This final game was an Old Boys match for Cobar and Des filled the halfback's role.

Born at Wollongong, Des (left, in more stylish days) was an outstanding schoolboy athlete. He represented Illawarra Rugby League at junior, minor and schoolboy levels, while he won many events with the Illawarra Blue Stars Athletic Club.

Coming into Illawarra grade football at 18 years of age, Des played with both the Corrimal and Collegians clubs. He was a member of a Corrimal minor grade Premiership winning team in 1970.

At Collegians, he captain/coached several of their grade sides, as well as playing first grade football for both Collegians and Corrimal. After football, Des took an interest in greyhounds and became a successful trainer for many years.

Over the years, he worked in the Western Australian mines and for the last 10 years of his life, worked in the mines at Cobar.

Sadly Des was diagnosed with inoperable cancer in January of this year and passed away in Cobar hospital. His funeral was held in Narromine and this is where he is buried. Des is survived by his wife Helen, son Peter and brother, Wayne.

Des Hampson, Born 6 June, 1949; passed away 17 June, 2013.