‘Outstanding husband, father and cyclist’: Wollongong cycling legend Ernie Hall passes away aged 79

The wider Wollongong community is paying tribute to a loving family man and active member of the local region, as those closest remember the impact he had on them and the sporting landscape.

PASSIONATE cyclist and Wollongong local legend Ernest Hall has passed away aged 79.

Hall passed away in his home the 2nd of January after a long battle with cancer.

Tributes have poured in over social media for a man who had been actively involved in so many assets of the Wollongong community for decades.

Ernie Hall was a cycling fan all his life. Photo: Contributed

Son of Ernest, Jono Hall, posted a heartfelt social media post to his father describing him as “A doting grandfather, a passionate cyclist, a loving husband and father. A true gentleman.”

‘Ernie’ Hall and his wife Christine arrived in Wollongong from the UK on the 1st of February 1970.

That same year Hall joined the Illawarra Cycling Club and has remained an active volunteer ever since.

He was involved as a rider, a marshall, and put the lights up at the Unanderra velodrome.

Garry Doughty is a former President of the Illawarra Cycle Club, as well as a neighbour to the Hall family, and looks back on his time spent with Ernie incredibly fondly.

“He just had a wonderful view on life,” Doughty said.

“I could not think of one person that did not think Ernie and Christine were terrific people, and you know you’ll naturally get that sometimes at any sort of competitive sporting level, but I honestly could not think of anyone he wouldn’t have got along with.”

Ernie Hall in his younger years. Photo: Contributed

Doughty recalled fondly the passionate cycling rivalry of decades past between Ernie and Dave Morris.

“They were both so good and that’s why they had the biggest rivalry,” Doughty said.

“One day Dave would have the best time, then the next Ernie would snatch it back.”

Sure enough, a race report from the Illawarra Cycle Club from March 2000 recalls how “Ernie Hall went to the front of the climb and stretched the field out, Dave Morris matched him pedal stroke for pedal stroke.”

“Ernie only had one pace – flat out,” Doughty said.

“No one wanted to go up against him because he rode so hard and so well.”

Hall evidently lived an active lifestyle, also joining the Kembla Joggers in 1981 and remaining an active member for many years.

Ernie Hall in the thick of the action. Photo: Contributed

Outside of this lifestyle he was actively involved in many aspects of the community.

He first worked at the Shellharbour Quarry at Bass Point, before working at HR Glossop Electrical Contractors.

Hall also ran his own business where he would service some of the local engineering shops in town, becoming a highly respected point of contact.

Many nights he was called out to the Illawarra Mercury to get the printing press working again and ensure papers got out on time.

Similarly, he was on call with the Buttercup Bakery and Fielders Bakery, so that whenever the ovens were to bronze down, the people of Wollongong still got their fresh bread in the morning.

Cycling was where his passion remained throughout his life however, with current President of the Illawarra Cycling Club, Simon Kersten, sharing his appreciation for Hall’s involvement with the club.

Ernie Hall with his wife Christine and sons Chris (left) and Jono (right)

“He was always such a lovely person,” Kersten said.

“He was great with the juniors, very calm and helpful, always showing them what to do and how to be better cyclists.”

Jono Hall, who like his father was a keen cyclist and runner, shared a favourite memory that he felt summed up his father best.

“Someone reminded me today that my Dad is the only person who rented a vehicle from him and returned it in better condition than when he picked it up,” son Jono said.

“That sums up my Dad.”

In his passing, Hall donated his body to the University of Technology Sydney for scientific purposes.

“Dad is on his way to helping others again, even after passing,” Jono said.

“Something for me to consider in time.”