White, Harry

BORN HARRY WILLIAM WEINZEIRL, on December 22nd 1894 in Melbourne, Australia, the fourth of ten children of Charles Philip White (Weinzeirl) and his first wife, Sarah Bellew. His father arrived at Port Melbourne on Gustav Adolph from Germany on January 22nd 1883, and took the Oath of Allegiance in 1914. [1] A professional skater and ice hockey referee in the start-up years of Sydney Glaciarium, his father toured and officiated with the New South Wales Ladies Ice Hockey Club in the interstate series for the Gower Cup during the Twenties.

Four goalies minded net for New South Wales before the Great War: Cuthbertson, Graham, Fowler, Deacon. After the war came Kerr, Cairns, Barnett, and Harry White, who shared the job with Barnett, soon after Barnett became the first goalie to win three Goodall Cups.

Harry's younger brother Frank, who was born at South Yarra in Melbourne in 1898, was a foundation player for Jim Kendall's Eastern Suburbs in 1921, and captain by 1927. Harry later joined his brother at the club, remaining for the era of such greats as Ken Kennedy, Percy Wendt, Les Berry, and Merv Jackson. They played together for New South Wales in the 1929 Goodall Cup, winning the trophy. Frank also won the 1936 Goodall Cup.

Frequently named among the best in match reports, Harry won a total of three Goodall Cups representing his state: 1928, '31, and the 1932. In the 1932 series, the local press reported White was "a tower of strength for his side, and made several brilliant saves". The series resulted in a tie, but New South Wales captained by Merv Jackson retained custody of the trophy.

White was also the 1924 New South Wales Ice Waltz Champion, a title dominated by Leslie and Mirey Reid, children of the founder of Australian ice sports. He married twice, first to Heather Doyle in 1916, then Edith May Sutton in 1926. [1]

Harry White died August 1st 1968 and was interred at Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park at Matraville in Sydney. Frank died on October 18th 1981 in Sydney.