‘A mate for life’: Wanderers Cricket Club mourn loss of Shaun ‘Boney’ Moroney

The Wanderers Cricket Club is in mourning after the sudden death of cricketer and Ross River Dam ranger-in-charge Shaun ‘Boney’ Moroney at age 45, leaving behind a wife and children.

2019: Wanderers' Andy Fuller, Ben DiBella, Darren Follington and Shaun Moroney (far right) at the Goldfield Ashes. Picture: Marcel Baum.

Both the cricket and council ranger fraternities of Townsville are in mourning after the sudden death of Shaun ‘Boney’ Moroney at age 45.
Shaun died on March 8, leaving behind a wife and three children.

Wanderers Cricket Club life member Stan Huen knew Shaun for over 20 years and remembers when he showed up to play cricket as a young man in his 20s.

“We coached juniors together, we played together, we knocked around together, he was a very, very good man,” Mr Huen said.

“He loved the competitiveness and camaraderie of cricket and everyone loved him. At working bees he’d be there in the thick of it.”

2004: Billabong Sanctuary ranger Shaun Moroney gives a talk on dingoes. Picture: Ned Kelly

Early in his career Shaun worked as a ranger at Billabong Sanctuary educating visitors about wildlife before he transitioned into ranger work for the Townsville City Council.

Mr Huen said Shaun “absolutely loved” anything to do with animals.

“He was very good with animals, all kinds, even snakes; he just knew how to handle them.”

2003: Shaun Moroney with a six-month-old saltwater crocodile at Billabong Sanctuary.

Shaun joined Townsville City Council in 2009 and went on to work with them for over 14 years, first as a land protection technical officer before becoming a Ross River Dam ranger for the council’s water services and eventually the ranger-in-charge.

In 2022, Shaun took up the position as Paluma Dam operator before returning to ranger-in-charge at Ross River Dam.

2005: Shaun Moroney and Kelly Sainsbury at Jupiters Townsville Hotel and Casino Picture: Bryan Lynch

When the details of Shaun’s funeral were posted online, a former co-worker David Escriva paid tribute.

“Played against Shaun way back in the old days, and then was blown away decades later when I happened to be paired with him to look after the Ross River Dam for a few 12 hour night shifts when it was in flood,” Mr Escriva said.

“Was always great company, loved a chat, and always had a huge smile on his face... RIP mate.”

2002: Ranger Shaun Moroney shows some tourists Duncan the wombat

Mr Huen said Shaun was a “very determined man”.

“He was a good bowler and a good coach. He used to coach kids before he got married and had his own children, and he did it so well,” Mr Huen said.

“He was your mate, and if he knew you well you had a mate for life... it just belted everyone when we heard he was gone. It’s going to be a huge funeral.”

Wanderers Cricket Club members were invited to attend the funeral wearing their club uniforms, and to form a guard of honour as a final tribute to Shaun.

Shaun Moroney’s funeral is scheduled to be held on March 18, Tuesday (2pm) at the Lakes Chapel in West End. All friends and family are welcome.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please contact crisis support service Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au or text 0477 13 11 14 for 24/7 emotional distress assistance.

Originally published as ‘A mate for life’: Wanderers Cricket Club mourn loss of Shaun ‘Boney’ Moroney