On Friday, August 22 the Rugby League community once again had to say farewell to one of their much loved members when attending the funeral service of Merv Hart, at St Stephens Catholic Church, Pittsworth.
Merv was a legend and absolutely loved junior league footy, he never missed a home game at his beloved Pittsworth and quite often would “bum” a lift to the away games!
“Swervin’ Mervyn” as he was affectionately known by many was a cheeky devil and quick to tell you his latest joke, which you would have heard countless times before.
He was a life member of the Referees Association, the Pittsworth & District Junior Rugby League, and the Toowoomba Junior Rugby League.
He spent many years running the lines for the games and would oversee the referees. Wherever he went to watch a game of footy he was always well known, with many coming up to him for a chat, a joke or just to see how he was getting on and would walk away with a smile as he was always so positive and funny.
He also made three treks to New Zealand with the U12 touring team and many trips to Charleville and other area with the Zone 4 under 12’s.
Merv had a twin brother John who pre-deceased him five years ago and they had a tough childhood, growing up in an orphanage and moving in to the Westbrook farm for boys where they stayed and worked until the age of 18.
That certainly didn’t have a negative impact on Merv as he loved people and the community and was always helping out on many committees. He was a Life Member of the Pittsworth Swimming Club, Life Member of the Pittsworth Bowls Club, Life Member of the Pittsworth Show Society, long serving Member of the Pittsworth Ambulance Committee, long serving Member of the Lions Club of Pittsworth (31 years), one of the founding members of the Older Men’s Network, a member of Indoor Bowls, and a member of the Happy Wanderers.
Footy just won’t be the same without his cheeky ways and sense of humour, but he will always be there in spirit and certainly never forgotten.
