Mary Grieve

Sports Hall of Fame Inductee

The town of Mooroopna has produced some great sports people, but none as versatile as Mary Grieve. Whilst Mary rose to great heights as a croquet player she played a number of sports with aplomb. Mary loved sport, she was a sports fanatic who not only played sport but took on administrational roles and supported local sporting clubs.

It was however in the sport of Croquet that she excelled. She was enticed by a neighbour in Mooroopna to try Croquet as a sport. Mary found that she was infatuated with the game from her first try in the 1970’s at the Mooroopna Croquet Club. By 1975 she felt confident enough to try herself out in the State titles and on her first attempt won the Victorian B Grade title. She then went on to the Junior A Grade section and duly won her second title for the year. She had arrived as a future champion and worked hard to learn as much as she could about the game which requires intelligence, skill and strategic planning. Her proudest moment in Croquet was when Mooroopna defeated Shepparton in the G.V. Grand Final.

Mary became a top player at club and regional events and represented the region at Country Week, winning nine medals. By 1983 she had made her way into the Victorian Ladies team. She was a member of the Victorian squad for eight successive years winning two Australia wide team events and two runner up trophies. As a singles player Mary won five Victorian Division One Victorian Ladies Championships in 1983, 85, 86, 87 and 88.

The Victorian selectors chose Mary to represent the State as a singles competitor at the Australian Championships and she didn’t let them down. Mooroopna’s own Mary Grieve became the Australian Ladies Champion in 1985, and repeated her win 1986 and 1987. In 1989 Mary was selected to represent Australia in an International Croquet competition against New Zealand. The Australians were successful. At a local level, Mary was well recognised and she won the Shepparton Sports Star of the year in 1987.

The record of Mary Grieve as a member of the Mooroopna Croquet Club was amazing. She won the Club Championship 29 times, she was president of the Club 3 times, Secretary twice and Treasurer twice. She was tournament Manager, coach and mentor for young players and was also a club delegate for 15 years. Mary was honoured with Life membership of the Mooroopna Croquet Club.

However Croquet was just one of her past times, she was an accomplished A Grade tennis player, representing the club at Country Week. She played Lawn Bowls, Indoor Bowls and also Table Tennis. During the winter months Mary was highly involved at the Mooroopna Football Club where her husband Theo was president. Mary was presented with a Life Membership of the Cats for her wonderful work with the Ladies Committee.

Mooroopna and the Goulburn Valley can be very proud of Mary Grieve, a lady who loved her sport, reached the highest level to be an Australian Champion and brought honour to her Club and Town.