Vale - Kenneth James Austin

The Funeral is on Wednesday 31 July at Holy Family Catholic Church, Oxford Road, Ingleburn at 10.30am.

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Ken Austin was passionate about our game. His service to the game is hard to measure when we look at years on the Committees and sub committees to make the sport accessible to as many. 

Be they committees on umpiring, schools, or Royal visits, Ken gave more than most.  His emphasis on the exact words as writtenn in the rule book taught many not to rely on general interpretation but on the word as written.  This passion was often misunderstood by those around him, but it was part of his way of emphasis and giving example to those who he instructed.

He was one of those responsible for reviving polo in NSW in the 1950s after the loss of Kyeemagh.  He was one of the founders around 1950 of County Polo Club (from 1976 called Sydney) initially at Austral and then for 25 years at Rossmore on “Beltana” owned by Ken Austin and brother-in-law Hector King.

He is particularly remembered at Windsor Polo Club as one of the first Club to support and encourage the club to get started. Sydney was there with Rylston and Toompang at the first tournament. His trucks' axle grease were the fertiliser of the new club.  His team won the first ever game held on the Windsor Polo Club field.

But it was his passion for breeding horses that was his most treasured interest. "APF" or Australian Polo Farm was his brand and it is the staple of many players horses today.

He died peacefully on Tuesday 23rd July, aged 86 after a battle and will always be remembered in the trophy for the Colts at an International at Windsor.

Funeral details will be announced when confirmed.

John Wayland,
Windsor Polo Club.

Ken Austin's Tournament & Trophy Wins

Hector King: 1972, 1974, 1975 and 1988
The R.M. Pitt Memorial Cup: 1976 and 1982
L.T. Watson Memorial Trophy at the Dudley Cup: 1958, 1960, 1961, 1962 and 1967
J.J. Garvan Cup at the Dudley Cup: 1956 and 1964.
 Hayward Silver Rose Bowl at the Australasian Gold Cup, 1978

Internationals:
1972: International Test Match, Australia vs Mar Del Plata (Argentina)
1972, January 2 –February 6: Ken was Manager of the Emu tour of New Zealand playing 14 games at 7 different venues including 3 Tests with scores 5-6 at Hastings, 11-6 at Claudelands near Hamilton and 9-7 at Auckland.
O.P. Tait 4, R.T. Walker 5, J.S.L. Hill 9 and H.G. MacLachlan 5 = 23, Reserve A.R. McGilvray 5  

On the Board of NSW Polo Association from 1973 (approx) to October 1987.

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