The first member of the South Canterbury Rugby Referees Association’s centurion club has passed away.

George Depree died in Whangarei on July 14, aged 88.

Depree started his refereeing career in Timaru in 1958 and whistled his way to provincial level.

He later became president of the association in 1973 and was made a life member in 1977.

Depree left South Canterbury in 1981, with his wife Dorothy, to take up an engineering job in Dargaville.

A total of 18 referees have passed the milestone of 100 senior club games or better.

Laurie Walker was the first to get after starting refereeing in 1948.

Others to follow were Depree, John Harmon, Tim Gresson, Colin Hawke, Neil Wilkinson,
Kevin Scannell, Robert Vincent, Trevor Sapwell, Alan Trezise, Gavin Charteris, Peter Gallagher, Mark Goodhew, Lachie McLeod, Paul Henshaw, Charlie Hough, Grant Day, Mike O’Brien.

The first member of the South Canterbury Rugby Referees Association’s centurion club has passed away.

George Depree died in Whangarei on July 14, aged 88.

Depree started his refereeing career in Timaru in 1958 and whistled his way to provincial level.

He later became president of the association in 1973 and was made a life member in 1977.

Depree left South Canterbury in 1981, with his wife Dorothy, to take up an engineering job in Dargaville.

A total of 18 referees have passed the milestone of 100 senior club games or better.

Laurie Walker was the first to get after starting refereeing in 1948.

Others to follow were Depree, John Harmon, Tim Gresson, Colin Hawke, Neil Wilkinson,
Kevin Scannell, Robert Vincent, Trevor Sapwell, Alan Trezise, Gavin Charteris, Peter Gallagher, Mark Goodhew, Lachie McLeod, Paul Henshaw, Charlie Hough, Grant Day, Mike O’Brien.

Article added: Wednesday 01 August 2018