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Former IHV President and IHA Life Member Max McKowen Passed Away
On Thursday 25th February 2010 Max McKowen passed away.
Max and his late wife Joan commenced their involvement with ice hockey in 1972 and were fixtures in the ice hockey world both in Victoria and in the ACT. While initially being involved in the Sports Training role Max would occupy any position that was required. This included being the President of Ice Hockey Victoria in 1987-88. He was, in all senses, a true ambassador of the sport. Both Joan and Max were involved with many of the Australian National Teams over the years that included 12 National Teams in a range of roles from Sports Trainer to Manager. In addition Max was an inaugural member of the Australian Sports Trainers Association and received the Sports Trainer of the Year award in 1985.
Throughout the latter part of his life Max was a known and respected figure (some might say character) within international ice hockey circles. Max kept contact with a range of people within the community from Sweden, to Canada, to Japan and beyond. He was also instrumental (with Joan) in the development and production of the plaque that hangs in the Australian Institute of Sport that details all the national ice hockey teams.
For his services, for which he gladly offered, he won an OAM, as well as a number of other awards. Max was an inaugural member of the Australian Sports Trainers Association and began working with state and national teams in 1972. He was named Sports Trainer of the Year in 1985. His work with Ice Hockey has been extensive.
There was no retirement for Max as he was active until the end. He leaves behind three children, six grand children, and five great grandchildren and countless friends and colleagues that are all the better for having known him.
Ice Hockey Victoria (1972 – 1990)
- 1972-1989 Victorian Ice Hockey Association Sports Medicine Trainer with the Ice Hockey Development Councils
- 1973-1989 Victorian State Teams
- 1986-87 President, Saint Monarch Ice Hockey Club
- 1987-88 President, Victorian Ice Hockey Association
- 1989 ACT Ice Hockey Association
- 1990 Senior Vice President ACT Ice Hockey Association
ACT Teams – Manager & Sports Medicine (1989 – 1997)
- 1989-96 Sports Trainer, Canberra Knights Super League Team
- 1996-97 Australian Masters Games Sports Trainer
Official with 12 Australian International Teams (1983 – 2001)
- 1983 Romania Assistant Manager National Junior Ice Hockey Team
- 1984 Italy Sports Trainer National Youth Ice Hockey Team
- 1985 Korea Assistant Manager National Youth Ice Hockey Team
- 1986 Spain Manager National Senior Ice Hockey Team
- 1986 South Australia Drug Testing National Youth Ice Hockey Team & Championships
- 1987 Denmark Manager National Junior Ice Hockey Team
- 1988 Victoria Assistant Manager National Youth Ice Hockey Team
- 1989 Sydney Sports Medicine National Senior Ice Hockey Team
- 1990 Korea Assistant Manager National Youth Team \
(Resigned; wife ill)
- 1991 China Assistant Manager National Youth Ice Hockey team
(Tour cancelled five days prior to leaving due to Gulf crisis)
- 1992 Japan Assistant Manager National Youth Ice Hockey Team
- 1994 China Assistant Manager National Youth Ice Hockey Team
- 1995 South Africa Sports Medicine National Senior Ice Hockey Team
- 2001 Japan Sports medicine Friendship Tournament Ice Hockey
- 2001 South Australia Sports Medicine National Women’s Tournament
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OTTO WOLF
In February 2008 Ice Hockey Victoria lost one of its longest serving office bearers in the passing of Otto Wolf.
Otto, who was to turn 80 this year, served the Ice Hockey community for over 30 years as a valuable, loyal & efficient administrator, primarily looking after our Insurance portfolio.and is survived by his daughter Christine Knight. Otto's two sons played Hockey for the Demons & Otto served on the committee of the Demons Ice Hockey club for many years as well. He was always assisting in the scorers box at Oakleigh & very often running the penalty box, always in his beloved VIHA jacket.
Otto was a quietly spoken gentleman who was always respected at meetings. He was accurate, punctual & he managed the insurance affairs of IHV with a terrific 'professional' attitude. Often at meetings, when it was Otto's turn to speak, we would all be smiling & say 'That’s all thanks Otto !' knowing full well it wasn't. Otto would look up & on queue, would say "Excuse me Mr. President, but this is very important ". We would laugh & always give him the time & respect that he so deserved. Otto is sadly missed at our monthly meetings.
It was unanimously decided by Ice Hockey Victoria's Committee of Management, as a fitting tribute and in memory of one of our favourite and loyal servants, to create for season 2008 & beyond “The Otto Wolf Memorial Trophy" for outstanding service to Ice Hockey in Victoria. This will be a perpetual trophy, presented annually, to a volunteer, administrator or helper who, like Otto, so tirelessly helps run our great sport.
Andrew McDowell
President
Ice Hockey Victoria
IHV Life Members
The following people have been awarded Life Membership over the past years in recognition of their contribution to the sport of ice hockey in Victoria.
Kurt DeFries
John Macrae Williamson
Russel Jones
Clive Connelly
Allen Adamson
Bob Blackburn
Ray Sullivan
Vic Ekberg
Otto Wolf
Charlie Grandy
Stan Gray
John Purcell
Russell Carson
Sydney Norman Hiort
Don Reddish
Paul Watson
Sandy Gardner
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