William James ‘Stomper’ Staines, 3/10/1941 to 28/11/2017
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Portland and district community was saddened to learn of the recent passing of one of its lifelong and respected citizens Bill Staines (affectionately known as ‘Stomper’). Bill was born in Portland on October 3, 1941, a son to Amy and Burg Staines.
He was educated at St Joseph’s, Portland, and St Stanislaus College, Bathurst, where he attained a bursary to study in 1952. Upon leaving school he worked as a night telephone officer, telegram boy and postman at both Wallerawang and Portland post offices.
Following from those positions Bill worked in many fields including the Portland cement works and on the power station construction. It was his pleasant personality, management skills and ability to communicate with people that saw him become dedicated to hotel and club work.
He was employed at the Lithgow Workmen’s Club, was licensee of the Imperial Hotel at Portland, manager of the Royal Hotel at Wallerawang, together with various hotels and clubs in Sydney and the Carrington Hotel at Katoomba.
It was the area of sport that saw Stomper become a prominent figure. His involvement saw him excel at a number of sports including tennis.
He was a prominent young member of the East Portland Tennis Club, where he collected many titles, but his participation in rugby league was where he excelled.
He had a chequered career, playing for Portland Blues and Colts, Lithgow Workmen’s Club and Lithgow Shamrocks, where he partnered international Brian Hambly, earning the title ‘Bone Crushers’.
He was also selected in the NSW Country Side to tour New Zealand and Western Division against England. There were some anxious moments with the New Zealand selection, as he was carrying an injury, but he was not going to miss this moment in his career and no doubt used his skills to convince the medical officer he was fine. He went on to play his part with the team.
A common talking point at any rugby league gathering is that if Stomper had fully dedicated himself he would have reached greater heights and was always on the radar of talent scouts from Sydney clubs.
In 1963 he was earmarked by Newtown and Lithgow Workmen's Club placed a transfer fee of 400 pounds on him. The club spokesman and good mate of his stated that Staines was worth every penny.
Stomper always had a great passion for rugby league and left his mark on the game including on the Roy and HG show, which he and his dear friend the late Monsignor John Grassy Grannal were on regularly.
He was a keen supporter of the St George Dragons and followed all competitions with great interest.
A panel chosen to select the best ever teams for Lithgow Workmen’s Club and Lithgow Shamrocks included him as a front rower in both. Stomper had a great rapport with people, he had a penetrating personality, friendly disposition, good humour, keen initiative and would assist people or the community in any way possible.
A staunch unionist, he held the position of secretary of the AWU and was always striving and working in the interest of his fellow workers.
Deepest sympathy is extended to his dear partner of 38 years, Joy, children and partners Annette and Chris, Amy and Paul, grandchildren Sarah, Lilly and Josie, great grandchildren Tiarna, Gracie and Bailey, dear sisters and brother Joy, Janet and Tom. He was predeceased by a dear son Christopher.