Walter Sue

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 419, 14 January 1992, Page 12

Walter Sue

Well-known Waimarino sports identity Walter Sue died on 20 Decembcr 1991. He was a son of the late Molly and Sue Joe, and was born at Raetihi Hospital. Walter was educated at Ohakune Primary School where he played rugby and made the Rangitikei Representative team, then went to Ruapehu College where he became a school prefect and received the top Maori award. He played in the first fifteen rugby team for the college. Karate was a strong interest of Walter's and he promoted the sport in the area, himself having held a 3rd Dan Black Belt. He started karate clubs in Ohakune, Raetihi, Taumarunui, Otorohanga, Waiouru, Taihape, Auckland and Tauranga, where he gained the title "Sensei". Walter formed the successful Ruapehu College Old Boys teams which involved softball and rugby, before joining the Raetihi Rugby Club. He was involved with selecting players for the Wanganui Maori Colts and also interested in the Northern Wanganui teams. He was highly respected by most players. His rugby administration career included: 1979, manager for Ruapehu College Australian Tour; 19791987, manager Ruapehu College Old Boys (RCOB); 1985-1986 manager & coach RCOB

softball team, when they won the open day competition rounds Pan Am representatives; 198586, formed a RCOB ladies team; 1988, team co-ordinator for Raetihi Senior Rugby Team; 1989 Member of Raetihi Rugby Club committee; 1989, coach for Raetihi Rugby Club 7-a-side team; 1989 coach for Raetihi Rugby Club senior team; 1990 assistant manager for Wanganui Rugby Union senior representative team; 1991 established touch rugby in Waimarino; 1991 member of the Raetihi Rugby Club committee, and avid supporter of Ohakune Karioi Rugby Club after his adoptcd son Kerry, and nephews, Mike and Brendon Wills and Daryn Norling played for Ohakune Karioi. Because of their involvement he divided his time between the two clubs. He was a regular rugby and other sports writer for the Ruapehu Bulletin, under the by-line "Lineout". He was actively involved with the welfare of young people, running such things as 'Blue Beat' discos for the young local children in Ohakune, Raetihi and Turangi and went out of his way to help the more needy ones. He was regarded as a skilled organiser of many functions, being sports or private and was a prime organiser of the annual Ohakune Rctailers' Christmas carnivals. He took a strong interest in whatever his nieces and nephews where doing, being at sports events or prizegivings as well as jazz and ballet dancing. Walter's work for the sporting communities was reflected by the several hundred people who attended his funeral service, where his karate clubs formed a guard of honour.