Charlie passed away on 5th January 2025 in care at Ararat after a long illness.
Charlie was a dominant figure in Australian polo through the 19080’s and 1990’s when he was also President of the Victorian Polo Association (1983 – 1992) and a delegate to Federation of International Polo (FIP) and key in Australia joining that organization.
In 2000, Charlie was awarded the Australian Sports Medal by Queen Elizabeth for services to polo.
Charlie founded the Victoria Polo Association in 1974, including drafting its founding constitution, and was instrumental in securing tenure for polo at Werribee Park (which involved the passing of legislation) alongside the Equestrian Federation of Australia (EFA). Charlie was chair and served on the board of Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre (WPNEC) for many years and was the driving force behind its development.
During his tenure leading the sport, Charlie was responsible for the establishment of the Melbourne Cup tournament and Victoria’s March International, both hugely successful events for decades. Together with James Cust, Charlie was also the central figure in establishing Portsea polo.
In 2013 Charlie became the founding chair of the Australian Polo Past Players Association, continuing his long service to the sport.
A highlight of Charlie’s tenure was securing a visit by Prince Charles and Princess Diana in 1985 to Victoria as part of the State’s 150th anniversary celebrations. Charlie organized a polo match at Werribee Park between a Commonwealth team (in which he played with King Charles) and an Australian team. Huge crowds attended the game. The King later stayed with Charlie and his wife Annie at his Hotham Street, East Melbourne residence.
Charlie with Princes Diana
Charlie was born in Berrigan in the Riverina and was a very successful AFL player with Hawthorn before joining the polo playing ranks. He started playing polo in 1972 and continued playing into the early 1990’s. Charlie maintained a 3-goal handicap for most of his career and played at one. Charlie represented Australia in exhibition games in locations including New Zealand, Hawaii and India. He played for the Hexham Polo Club (a life member), Victorian Polo Association and the Australian Club (an instigator of the Australian Vs Melbourne Club game, having been a member of both clubs since the early 1970s).
For most of his playing days his ponies were stationed at Mount William Station, in the Western District of Victoria. Charlie also hosted many visiting international teams and players, and his generosity ensured the success of so many tournaments and test matches in Victoria.
Charlie has been remembered fondly by many of his friends from Australian polo community.
South Australian great Gus McLachlan lauded Charlie’s contribution to the sport.
“Charlie was a great contributor to Australian polo spending many years and resources trying to further the game through roles at the VPA and the APC. Charlie was leader of both for many years and made a huge impact. Charlie was a very amiable and sociable fellow who was always fun to play with and against. On the field we played with and against one another often, including a tour of New Zealand which was tremendous fun. Charlie was also very generous and the family home in Hotham Street in East Melbourne was the heartbeat of polo social events for years. He’ll be sadly missed.”
Long-time club mate and friend Ted Mann was effusive in his praise;
“I hold Charlie in the highest regard for what he did for polo- especially in Victoria. He was responsible for Portsea Polo and a huge driver of the Melbourne Cup and March International tournaments. Charlie was a very good president of both the VPA and the APC – running both organisations through a period where strong leadership was needed. Charlie was exceptionally good company whatever the situation. He always had a tale to tell and a smile for all in the room as he genuinely just liked people. He was very generous and a contributor in everything he did in life. Charlie was a very good sportsman which stood him in good stead when he took up polo after a celebrated AFL career with Hawthorn. He was certainly a bonus for the Hexham Polo Club when he joined. His passing is very sad news.”
Charlie with Prince Charles at Werribee.
Current Australian team captain and Charlie’s nephew, Ruki Baillieu has fond memories.
“Affectionately known as CPA, Charlie was my uncle and Godfather. Ever the optimist, CPA was larger-than-life and exuded positivity in any situation or challenge. He was an influential president of the VPA and instrumental in establishing Werribee Park as a polo venue. CPA was an eternal competitor and loved sports and the people involved in them. I have so many fond memories of CPA, Annie and their kids at the polo in summer and hunting in winter. His zest for life was inspirational and he will be remembered forever.”
Mike Ford, former Berwick Polo Club player and long-time friend;
“Charlie’s passing is devastatingly sad news. My prayers and condolences go out to all his friends and family. He was one of the most positive individuals I have ever known - he thrived on the mantra of “don’t explain and don’t complain” and he always sought good humor and charm; no matter the circumstances. We played polo on opposing teams; we played tennis and golf against each other, and I even tried to teach him croquet - to no avail! Like all his friends and family, we will miss him dearly. He was a very special friend.”
NSW Polo Association President David Head spoke of Charlie’s leadership.
“Charlie was well known nationally for his leadership of the sport through the 80’s and ‘90’s. It was a time when the polo was moving towards professionalism and needed a strong leader. The sport owes Charlie considerably.”
APF Hall of Fame chairman Jeremy Bayard described Charlie as immensely influential.
“Charlie was incredibly charming, engaging and a brilliant negotiator and he used this to great effect in managing the coterie of big personalities that populated polo at that time. Charlie was always great fun and had enormous energy and ambition. He loved a new idea, a big occasion and a party! He really helped shape the sport for a long time.”
New South Wales polo luminary Richard Maple-Brown;
“Playing a tournament with Charlie was such great fun. I played quite a few times with Charlie in the Melbourne Cup tournament. He was a good player and especially great fun after the games. Charlie and Annie were such great hosts and lured many teams from interstate to play. Socially it was always fun when Charlie was around. Such a great host and he enlivened Victorian polo. In his prime he was the main man in Victorian polo and wielded great influence nationally. He really put polo in Victoria on the national scene”.
Polo legend Jim Gilmore;
“He was such a good bloke, and we always got along so well. Socially he was fantastic. I won a Melbourne Cup tournament with Charlie, and it was memorable both on and off the field. He was a great president for Victoria and later for the APC. He was a good polo friend; a great friend to polo and will be really missed.”
Australia’s most capped representative, Glen Gilmore;
“Charlie would talk with anyone about polo and especially younger players coming through. He was always encouraging and friendly. He just loved polo and always had a vision for where the sport should go. I remember fondly the chats we used to have. He will be missed.”
Charlie is survived by his daughter Sybil, and three sons, Robert, James and William.
A memorial service will be held for Charlie Abbott at the Trinity College Chapel at Melbourne University, Royal Parade, Parkville at 2pm on Friday 17 January.