St.George mourns Robert Stone's passing
1 August 2005
Robert Stone, the Executive Officer of the St.George District RLFC, has passed away today after a long battle against cancer. While Robert's passing was not unexpected, today's sad news will be difficult for the St.George community to come to terms with as he was one of the Club's favourite sons and a true gentleman.
Robert began his long association with St.George in 1974 when he was graded as a 17-year-old lock. He experienced immediate success at the Dragons with a third grade premiership that year.
Following his 1 st Grade debut in 1975, he won a reserve grade premiership in 1976 before starring for 'Bath's Babes' in the 1977 1 st Grade premiership triumph over Parramatta. The 1977 Grand Final replay produced one of the most memorable moments of his career when he scored a spectacular runaway try.
The 1977 victory meant that Robert had recorded premiership victories in all three grades. In 1980 he gained higher honours when used as a replacement forward in the inaugural State of Origin match.
At the end of the successful 1985 season, Club Administrators failed to renew Robert's contract in one of the most unpopular decisions in Club history. This decision coincided with the abandonment of Kogarah's Jubilee Oval as the Dragons' home ground.
Robert played 281 Grade games for St.George, including 147 1 st Grade matches. His tally of 281 Grade appearances places him behind only Billy Smith (297) and Norm Provan (283).
In 2000, after the first year of the St.George joint venture with Illawarra, Robert was appointed Executive Officer of St.George District RLFC.
His appointment came at a time of great instability for the Dragons. Dragons' CEO Brian Johnston had resigned, Anthony Mundine had retired, David Waite was sacked and supporters were rallying for the Sydney Football Stadium home games to be returned to Kogarah. His appointment brought stability to the Club as he focused on reviving the St.George juniors and preserving the St.George identity and history.
When the return to Kogarah campaign reached its peak in 2002, Robert's positive influence contributed significantly to St.George-Illawarra's decision to return to the venue for the 2003 season. He spoke at the R2K Kogarah Oval Information Night and urged supporters to maintain their goal of returning to Kogarah.
He was responsible for keeping the 2003 upgrade of Kogarah on track and was so personally involved that he was referred to as 'Bob The Builder'. In 2004 his continued work on Kogarah was rewarded when the Federal Government pledged an $8 million upgrade.
Robert will be immeasurably missed by all those associated with the St.George Leagues Club, the St.George District RLFC and the St.George-Illawarra Dragons. He won the respect and admiration of St.George supporters and it would be appropriate for the hill at Jubilee Oval to be named in his honour and for his memory to be preserved in the next extension of the Jubilee Oval Legends' Walk.
R2K would like to extend its sympathy to the Stone family and the St.George District RLFC of which Robert was made a life member in 1984. While Robert has now marched to eternity, it is hoped that the 2005 Saints can march into the history books with a premiership to help honour the greatest St.George Administrator since Frank Facer.
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