John Frederick Hanigan was born at Nowra on April 11, 1929, the son of Fred Hanigan and Kate Boxsell, his sister Val (Best) was born two years later.

The family lived in Meroo Meadow and later Wollongong, before moving to Kiama around 1940 to farm for Eddie Stewart.

Later the family home was at 117 Manning Street, Kiama still standing today among all the development of that area. John worked at Tallawarra Power Station during its construction and in 1953 met Beryl Ward at an Albion Park Show Society dance.

John then came to work on the farm of Beryl’s parents Kell and Violet Ward “Pinegrove” at Croome on the Jamberoo to Albion Park road.

John and Beryl were married at Jamberoo Anglican Church on February 19, 1955, they lived at Pinegrove and son Greg was born in 1958.

Following the sudden death of Kell that same year John took over running the farm with Beryl and her mother and they moved to Beattie Street, Jamberoo following the passing of Violet more than 30 years ago and became great neighbours to the community in that area.

Rugby League

John was a top quality half back, his chip kicking made many tries and he was a good goal kicker.

He began his career with Kiama as a 15-year-old in the Under 19 competition in 1945 and was in two Under 19 premiership teams in 1946 when they defeated Gerringong at the third attempt 6-3 after drawing 15-15 and 0-0 (his brother in law to be Trevell Best was a team mate) and in 1948 downed Berry 32-0.

John then played grade and he was the outstanding player in the reserve grade premiership team of 1950, defeating Nowra Warriors 8-7 in the decider. The only surviving member of that team is Johns brother in law Harry Richardson.

At that time Kiama had an excellent half back in John McDonald so John Hanigan found it difficult to break into first grade.

In 1951 when the South Coast representative teams were selected to play arch rivals Illawarra, both half backs selected were from Kiama – McDonald in firsts and Hanigan in seconds. It was a red letter day for South Coast, as they defeated Illawarra in both games 27-7 and 16-7 with Johnnie Hanigan scoring two tries.

That year he played half the season as first grade full back then became the regular first grade half back, Kiama was beaten 12-2 by Berry in the 1953 grand final with Hanigan again the outstanding player.

In 1954 he moved to Jamberoo and under the residential qualification rule of that time a player had to play where he lived.

At Jamberoo that first grade premiership eluded him when Jamberoo lost 13-0 to Berry in 1954 and 6-5 to Gerringong in 56. However, success came his way in 1958 when Jamberoo, coached by Matt Graham, downed Berry 18-8 in the grand final at Kiama Showground, with John kicking two goals and a field goal. He retired after Jamberoo, coached by Les Jones, won the 1961 premiership and then was one of the club’s keenest supporters and always a St George Dragons follower.

Cricket

(Thanks to Greg Harris for some of John’s cricket service). In cricket John played with Kiama, when the club recorded their history of players from the start of the South Coast Association, in 1946 John was first grade cap number 25.

He played in Kiama’s second grade premiership teams of 1949 and 1950 before moving to Jamberoo where he played in the 1960-61 first grade premiership team and in four other first grade finals in 55, 56, 63 and 66, but Jamberoo were defeated in all four.

He was a lower order batsman, leg spin bowler and played lower grades for many years, including scoring his only century – 106 – in third grade against Albion Park Rail in 1978 when he was almost fifty years of age.

In all John would have played over 200 games for Jamberoo and Kiama. 

In the 1979-80 season, John came into the Jamberoo fourth grade team at the last minute  to play Shellharbour in the semi final and was part of a record tenth wicket partnership of 68 with Tony Smith (remains a club record) to win the game.

However, when the scorebooks were checked they had different totals for batting and bowling as the scorers were not sitting together. To cut a long story short, the South Coast Association could not work out who won the game and for the only time in history, ordered a replay which Jamberoo won comfortably, and then defeated the previously unbeaten Warilla in the final to clinch their only fourth grade premiership.

John did not play in the final as he considered the player he had replaced in the semi should be in the team, the mark of true sportsmanship.

John was more than a player, he was a great club man serving as president for seven years and helped as curator of the turf wicket. That was hard work using the concrete roller that took three people to pull, which he did for many years, and he coached at least three junior premiership teams.

On one occasion transport was short and the entire Jamberoo under 13 team (including scorer Beryl) crammed into their Valiant car to go to play at Minnamurra.

Cricket to the Hanigans was a family affair, with Johnnie playing followed later by Greg, Beryl doing the scoring and helping provide those great afternoon teas that former players still regard as the best on the coast.

John and Beryl gave great support to Greg in his years playing representative cricket at both junior and senior levels.

In both cricket and football John and Beryl were a big part of the many social events for the clubs including numerous balls, dances and presentations. When on the farm the cows had to be milked early, so sport could be participated in.  

In 2005 Cricket Australia recognised the contribution to the game of John and Beryl with a presentation marking 50 years of service. John was made a life member of Jamberoo in 1978 and Beryl in 1989.

In 1985 John was honoured with life membership of the Jamberoo Combined Sporting Clubs only the second person to receive the award, the first being his great friend Darkie Hogan.

John was part of that great band of volunteers who helped establish the Jamberoo Golf Course, spending untold hours to make it what it is today, enjoying playing at least twice a week and he was made a life member of the club in the 80’s.

He was an honorary steward for the Friesian cattle at Albion Park Show for a number of years and took a keen interest in attending cattle judging day at the Royal Easter Show with friend Eric Gardiner and followed trotting (harness racing) particularly when the Swan family had a number of horses racing.

Also, his many trips to Wagga to visit Greg and Colleen and family. John and Beryl were great dancers and made many friends attending the old time dances held for years at Western Suburbs Leagues Club at Unanderra.

John had another outstanding quality along with Beryl visiting the sick in hospitals or aged care, and many local families will recall his kindness.

The last six plus years that John has been in care have been a very difficult time for all, but one thing that stands out is John and Beryl’s devotion to each other over their sixty two years of marriage.

Johnnie Hanigan, a quiet man who never sought the limelight, is now at peace after a lifetime of service to his family his many friends and his community.

John, may you rest in peace.

- John O’Dwyer OAM