Thomas William ABBERTON

17 August 2005, aged 83

Tom was brought up in Dubbo, before joining the army and being posted to the Middle East. Prior to enlisting, and as a keen Rugby League player, he had played for Penrith. Tom was interested in all sports and had a radio spot in Sydney with, among others, Reg Grundy and Brian Henderson. Tom was dubbed the ‘Human Encyclopaedia on Sport’. He went to PNG to work for PMF, in charge of the bakery and became involved in the Executive of the Papuan Rugby League. From Moresby he took up the position of Manager of the Goroka Hotel and was also a director and shareholder in Golden Crust Bakery. After several years in Goroka he and Joan went to Madang to manage the Madang Hotel. In both Goroka and Madang Tom was again involved in Rugby League. He was also an active member of Rotary in Moresby, Goroka and Madang. After leaving PNG Tom managed hotels in Weipa and Port Macquarie, eventually moving to the Gold Coast two years ago. Tom is survived by his wife Joan, sons Grahame and Timothy. Paul Bolger