Vale Meg Wilson AM

Hockey Tasmania acknowledges the passing of Australian sporting legend Mary May “Meg” Wilson (née Weaver) on Friday 7 May 2021.

Meg Wilson, born in Waratah, Tasmania, was a highly regarded athlete and sports administrator whose contribution to the sport of hockey in Tasmania, in Australia, and to the world saw her recognised with Life Membership to Hockey Tasmania in 1968 (Northern Hockey Association and the Tasmanian Women’s Hockey Association), Life Membership to Hockey Australia in 1971, the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the sport of hockey in 1985, induction into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1990, and as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for service to hockey in 1991.

She will forever be remembered for introducing the modified version of hockey known as Minkey, which served as the introduction to the sport for almost every junior player since the 1990s.

Meg Wilson played hockey as a forward, representing Tasmania at national championships and earning selection in All Australian teams named from those championships, before making her full debut for the Australian Women’s team against New Zealand in a test played on 4 September 1948. She served as vice-Captain of the side from 1949-1950.

Meg Wilson had a long and distinguished career as a coach and administrator in hockey after her international playing career ended. She served as a selector for the Australian team, and later as both its coach and manager. She was Vice-President of the Oceania Hockey Federation from 1965-1985, and then the President of the Australian Women’s Hockey Association (AWHA) from 1985-1996, and served on a number of international hockey councils, panels, and committees which included World Cups, Champions Trophies, and Olympic Games in the late 1980s and the 1990s. She served as President of the Tasmanian Women’s Hockey Association (TWHA) from 1966-1989.

Meg Wilson passed away at home in the presence of family. Loved wife of Bill (dec.). Cherished mother of Judith. Much loved by her extended family.

Hockey Tasmania extends its condolences to her family.

The entire Tasmanian Hockey community joins with the rest of Australia in celebrating the extraordinary life and achievements of Meg Wilson. Vale.