Former NSW and Australian rugby league test player Terry Hill, who has died aged 52, was a great friend to greyhound racing.
Hill, who played nine test matches for Australia, represented NSW in 14 games and won the 1996 premiership with the Manly Sea Eagles, shot to prominence as an owner when he raced Placard, winner of the 2000 National Sprint Championship and TAB Topgun for trainers Ruth and Ray King.
More recently Hill has raced dogs trained by Darren Sultana, including champion straight trackers Mr America, winner of 26 from 44 starts and Shall Not who has won 47 of 68 races, along with Came And Went who has won 27 races.
Terry Hill was a tireless promoter of greyhound racing and was heavily involved publicising the sport on Channel 9's Footy Show.
Peter Peters, who was media manager of the Manly Sea Eagles when Hill was part of a grand final winning side, said: "He was one of the real characters of rugby league.
"And while he was always the prankster, he was also one hell of a footballer.''
Terry Hill often came across in a brash manner, but I discovered the measure of the man many years ago when my sons were attending St Patricks College at Strathfield.
I happened to mention to Terry that there was a dinner coming up to send one of the school's sporting teams overseas, but we had hit a hurdle because the auctioneer for the fund-raising memorabilia auction had pulled out just 48 hours before the event.
Quick as a flash, Terry said: "I'll do it mate.''
When I asked him if he had ever been an auctioneer, his reply was: "No, but it would be easy, give me the address and time and I'll be there.''
Arriving at the function there was a message from Terry to say his holiday home on the Central Coast had been burgled and he had to make the trip there to speak to police.
Despite that, around 10 minutes before the auction was due to begin, in walked Terry Hill saying: "Give me the microphone, let's do this.''
He had driven from his Sydney home to the Central Coast, spoken to police, and returned to Strathfield to conduct what was an outstandingly successful auction.
When I expressed my surprise and thanks at him going to all that trouble, especially as there was no remuneration involved, he said: "I told you I'd be here, you should have known I wouldn't let you down.''
GRNSW offers its sincere condolences to Terry’s family and friends.
