Tribute to Ward Hillier

Robyn Castle, December, 2009

Aged 83, Ward died in Perth on 16 November 2009, 33 hours after he had won the World 80+ Men's Singles Championship. We are deeply saddened and will miss him. We send our deepest sympathy to his wife, Nancy, and to his family.

Tennis Seniors Victoria salutes him as a gentleman with many friends, a generous, contributing Vice-President and a tenacious, highly skilled tennis player who achieved success at the highest levels of International Seniors’ tennis competition. Ranked no 1 in the 80+ in Australia and no 11 in the World (August 2009), he leaves an inspirational legacy.

Ward left his home in Melbourne to travel to Perth with Nancy about 1 November, to play firstly in the Australian team in the World Super-Seniors Teams’ Championship. Competing for the Gardnar Mulloy Cup, Australia, defending Champions and seeded one, played USA in a repeat of the 2007 and 2008 finals. Alan Bailey convincingly defeated Graydon Nicholls, 6/1 6/2, and Ward was just as convincing in his 6/1 6/1 victory over Clem Hopp to put the team in an unbeatable position. These two playing singles went the whole week undefeated. The team was ably supported by Doug Corbett and Neville Halligan. Hence a most commendable gold medal was won. This was the second time that Ward had been on the winning Australian team in the Gardnar Mulloy Cup, (Turkey 2008, saw them beat the Americans), but he had been a team winner before in 2002 when he captained Australia to win the Bitsy Grant Cup for men 75+.

From 9 - 13 November, Ward played in the Individual events in Perth. Fifth seed in the 80+ singles, he won a hard first round match, then survived a 7/5 in the third semi-final win before facing up to the first seed, Clem Hopp, USA, in the final. Ward won 6/3 in the third. He also played three challenging doubles matches with partner, Doug Corbett, before losing 6/4 6/3 to the first seeds in the final. He was very happy and proud about these amazing results.

Ward joined Tennis Seniors Victoria in 1993 and since that time he has contributed his time and energy to fulfil the role of Vice-President since 2006, a Victorian selector and a member of the organising committee for the 2008 Australian Seniors’ Tennis Championships, in Wodonga, the Victorian Championships and the Australian Claycourt Championships.

Other notable tennis achievements include:

• Representing Australia at an international level since 1997
• Winning the Australian 80+ Men’s Singles in Adelaide 2009 defeating Alan Bailey.
• Winning the Victorian 75+ and 80+ Singles Championships, the 75/80 Doubles in 2008 with Claude Wenzel from Queensland and the 80+ Doubles in 2009 with Brian Stuart, Victoria.
• Winning the World 80+ Men's Doubles in 2007 in Christchurch, New Zealand, with Doug Corbett from NSW

Ward's wife, Nancy, shared in the excitement of these victories and always supported his tennis involvements. Many of us remember the superb catering she provided when meetings were held at their home.

Harward Hillier, born 1 October 1926 - died 16 November 2009: His dream run has sadly come to an end, but he will be long remembered and spoken of with affection and admiration.

Ward Hillier, Adelaide 2009