OBITUARY FOR JOHN BLACKETT:             John Blackett sadly passed away in Brisbane on 18th March 2010 after battling cancer for 18 months.  He was just 67.   John was brought back into playing hockey when his business ‘House and Garden Mackay’ sponsored a Veteran ladies team which Ralph Williams was coaching.  During a conversation John mentioned that he used to play hockey in NSW when young, so that was all Ralph needed to have John back playing in his club team Mackay Norths for the 1988 season after a long lay-off.  John went on to play in Vets carnivals in Rockhampton, Townsville, Maryborough and Warwick.  He first played Queensland Vets for the Over 65s in Canberra, in 2003.  He continued playing in this age group until Darwin in 2008.   After Darwin, John and his wife Ingrid travelled through the Kimberly region, on to Broome, then across the inland desert to Ayres Rock and then back to Brisbane via Marree and the Birdsville Track.  During this unforgettable inspirational trip he discovered a lump in his lower abdomen which on investigation proved to be cancerous.   John was an enthusiastic and skilled player with speed to burn in the forwards.  He always strived to be as fit as possible and put enormous time into practice on his own, as well as being a regular attendee at team practice.  He played the game hard but was always fair and was one of those players you always wish to have in your team.    John Blackett will be sadly missed and we are all better people for having known him.  He was a Good Bloke, reliable and dependable.     Obituary Prepared by Ralph Williams

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