Profile:-

Des Coady, President of the NSWVGA has been involved in golf and golf administration for many years. During those years he served on a number of golf committees while a resident in country areas of New South Wales such as Mullumbimby, Tamworth, Albury and Kiama. During 1995 and 1996, Des was President of four veteran golfing associations concurrently - Kiama, Illawarra, New South Wales and Australia - a rather unique record.

Graduating from Sydney University and Sydney Teachers’ College in 1949, Des spent the next forty years with the NSW Department of Education. He served as a Secondary School Principal for twenty years and as an Inspector of Schools, was in charge of schools in the Shellharbour and Wollongong Inspectorates. He was also a foundation member of the Governing Council of the Wollongong Teachers’ College.

In earlier years Des had an enviable sporting record, playing Sydney grade football, cricket and major grade tennis. As an opening bat and leg spin bowler with the Balmain Club, he played against many international players. He was a leading Rugby League referee controlling City-Country and International Teams. During the sixties Des became associated with golf, winning club championships at Mullumbimby, Tamworth, Albury and Kiama.

His lowest handicap was 2 and at Tamworth and Kiama he held course records. In 1963 Des defeated Norman von Nida in an exhibition match play event while club champion at Tamworth. In the seventies and eighties he was an Illawarra “A” Grade pennant player and represented the Illawarra Golf Association in representative matches. In 1993 Des was runner-up in the Australian Veteran Golf Championships and in the same event won the Vic Kendall Trophy for the best 54 Hole Nett Score.

In golf administration Des became President of the Australian Veteran Golfers’ Union in 1995-1996 and has been president of the Illawarra and New South Wales Veteran Associations for the past 14 years. During that time, with the assistance of a dedicated NSW Executive, he has established four annual State Veteran championship events and initiated forty “Weeks of Golf " in the annual NSW Veteran golfing calendar. As a result of these efforts, New South Wales is now regarded as the leading veteran golfing state in the Australian Veteran Golf Union.

Rex Tate - Councillor