Group Three Rugby League Hall of Famer and current Tuncurry Forster Jockey Club president Garry McQuillan has been a prominent figure in the Great Lakes for close to 40 years.

But it wouldn’t have been possible without his passion to develop as a rugby league player.

Garry was born in Bondi in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs.

“Every kid in Bondi carried a football around and played out on the front lawn of their house,” Garry said.

Following a stint playing for St Andrew Cathedral School, he left home at 16 to ply his trade in the NSW Central West. 

“It was a really good time to leave when I did- I had to get out out the city,” Garry said.

“I think I was born in the wrong place.”

 In his first season for Rockley in the Bathurst based second division competition, Garry picked up their best and fairest award. 

“I used to end up with so many fat lips it was terrible,” he laughed.

In 1970, Garry was contacted about joining Oberon, but a chance meeting between his dad and his soon-to-be coach Tony Paskins set him on a path that would shape his life.

Tony had linked up with Forster-Tuncurry Hawks and wanted Garry to join him.

Garry had been based in the Central West for more than a year and was initially hesitant to play elsewhere.

But at the behest of his dad, Garry decided to play one trial game with the Hawks. 

“I was playing with blokes I’d never met before,” Garry said.

Still contemplating a life in the Bathurst area, Garry was convinced to stay on.

“Dad said: ‘if you’re still wanting to go back in another week, I’ll pick you up’,” Garry said.

It’s fair to say that deadline has expired.

Garry landed a farming job on a property at Coomba Park and began his association with the Hawks.

His debut season was capped off with a grand final appearance against Port Macquarie.

In the game, Garry played five-eighth and marked arguably one of the true greats of the game in Harry Wells. 

“Harry Wells and I are the best of mates, he’s a great man and has been so good for the game,” Garry said.

“When he retired, he worked with me on how I could improve my game.”

The Hawks won the game, in what would be Garry’s only taste of premiership success.

“We all stick together still,” Garry said about the grand final winning side.

“There’s a real bond there with my grand final mates.”

One of his proudest moments was captaining the Hawks, Group Three and Mid North Coast in the same year. 

“I’m not sure if it’s been done before,” Garry said. 

He also took on England and New Zealand while playing for North Coast. 

Garry would go on to play more than 200 first grade games for the Hawks before retirement came in 1982.

“I committed myself to the team 100 per cent because I commit myself 100 per cent to everything that I do,” Garry said.

Garry was determined to always stay loyal to the side and turned down offers to join good mate Noel “Crusher” Cleal in Sydney or head north to Wauchope.

Garry’s time in the game didn’t come without its fair share of injuries.

“I just love the game but it was hard on the body.

“I’ve had four knee replacements, had an ankle joint taken out, six major operations on my ankle and a full shoulder put in through rugby league but there’s not one thing that I would have changed.

“It was the best time of my life,” Garry said.

Garry credited Errol Ruprecht, Kevin Hardy and John Elford as some of the best players he’s played with. 

“We’re all good mates,” Garry said.

His incredible career was celebrated in 2014 with his hall of fame induction.

“I didn’t know if I deserved it.

“I was taken back, I was really pleased to be there but it was quite a shock to me.

“I think it’s a very special thing so that’s why I don’t think I deserved it but it did put the icing on all of my efforts.

“It made all the operations worth it,” Garry said.

Garry’s love of the Great Lakes showed why he never thought about leaving.

“I came up to play the trial game in 1970 and I haven’t gone home.

“How could you leave here?

“We’ve got the beautiful hinterlands and seven miles of beach either side.

“What a place to live, we’re absolutely blessed,” Garry said.