Australian Rugby League has today mourned the passing of bush Rugby League legend and last pre-WW2 Kangaroo Harry Robison.
Robison, who passed away last Friday in a Maryborough retirement home, enjoyed great success in regional Queensland competitions.
He was the player/coach for Maryborough from 1939-46 and led Wallaroos (1942) and Brothers (1946) to premierships.
But it was his feats with Queensland and Australia which stamped him as one of the great players from his era.
Robison played 12 matches for Queensland and made 14 appearances for the Kangaroos (1937-38).
Robison was also picked to be in the 1935 Kangaroos team that went to NZ for Tests. After he was selected, he opted to play one final home game in Toowoomba but was kicked in the shin causing a wound to open up.
Robison made the trip to Sydney only to be ruled out by an ARL doctor, meaning the Kangaroos sailed to NZ without him. Robison had a train journey from Toowoomba to Sydney and back for nothing at the time, but years on, he is remembered as one of the greats of the game.
The Australian Rugby League would like to express its commiserations to the Robison family during this difficult time.
With the passing of Harry Robison, whose funeral service was held today at Maryborough's Pioneer Cemetery, there are now no pre-WW2 Kangaroos remaining.
Harry Robison
DOB 11.11.1912 (Toowoomba)
12 matches for Queensland: 1934 NSW (2), 1935 NSW (5), 1936 NSW (1), Eng (1), 1937 NSW (2), 1939 NSW (1), 1937-38 Kangaroo tour (14 games).
