Greg Parry remembered for his sporting talent and determination to help

Greg Parry is being remembered as someone who was talented in multiple sports, a keen traveller and a hard working volunteer. His family and sporting clubs pay tribute after he died in a tragic accident.

Greg Parry died last month after a vehicle accident in NSW. Picture: Supplied.

The Ballarat community is mourning the loss of champion sportsperson Greg Parry who was killed in an off-road vehicle accident.

Parry, 47, died on April 21 after the crash occurred near the central western New South Wales town of of Coonabarabran.

He was a major part of the Ballarat sporting community and a teacher at Federation University’s SMB campus.

In tennis, he was a champion player at Hollioake Park and also represented Creswick in Country Week while also playing a major part in maintaining the tennis courts in the city.

Parry also excelled in golf and shooting.

He was a member at the Ballarat and Midlands Golf Club and played a major role in the Ballarat Field and Game Club (shooting).

For 30 years he was a member of the shooting club and served as a vice-president and a committee member before his death.

Parry also won shooting tournaments all around western Victoria and interstate.

“Greg had an amazing talent for sports,” his sister Kirrily Liddle said.

“He was energetic and adventurous and always pursuing his hobbies and living life to its full.

“He was highly intelligent and always looking towards a better future for himself and his children.”

Liddle said he was an amazing friend to many in the community.

“He was known for long phone calls, regular check ins and always being willing to help a friend,” she said.

Parry was also known for his eagerness to help out.

Good friend and former manager and coach at the Ballarat Regional Tennis Centre, Rob Benoit, said his determination on and off the court to help out and play stood out.

Greg Parry playing tennis. Picture: Supplied.

“He was a very good player, he played as a number one in the A-grade men’s on a Tuesday night,” Benoit said.

“But he hurt his (right) wrist and couldn’t play in the last 12 months.

“He was really frustrated and couldn’t get it right.

“I gave him a couple of lessons as he was trying to make a comeback left handed.

“That’s his determination.

“He was a fantastic volunteer with getting the sand and co-ordinating and putting it on the courts.

“He was not just a good player but a very good person around the club.

“A much loved person.”

Ballarat Field and Game president Aaron Edmondson said the loss of Parry would leave a massive void at the club.

“There’s some shoes to fill in setting grounds and just helping out around the club,” he said.

“Since his junior days he’s been involved in the club one way or the other.

“He was influential in helping out juniors and new shooters in their pursuit of clay target shooting.

“Greg was always out at a practice day or a shoot day and willing to lend a hand to anyone.

“He was also pretty successful.

“Greg quite often would travel locally and interstate and was quite successful.

“It’s where he leaves his legacy, he was always travelling somewhere.

“He was always well liked and a great character around the club.

“He is going to be missed.”

The club is looking to hold a tribute day for Parry, on July 6, which will be called the Greg Parry Memorial Shoot.

Greg Parry was a major part of the Ballarat Field and Game Club. The club is planning a memorial day for him in July. Picture: Supplied.

The aim is to make it a yearly tradition of celebrating his life.

The idea came from his son Will who will continue his legacy at the club as a committee member.

Parry leaves behind three children, Alice, Hugo and Will.

“His kids have showed so much strength in this horrible time,” Liddle said.

“They have all taken on his best traits and parts of his personality.

“We will miss him every day, he was a rock for my mum and a steady presence in all of our lives.

“A fantastic father, son, brother, uncle and friend.

“Taken all too soon but we take solace in the fact he was doing what he loved when it happened.”

Parry’s funeral will be held on Thursday at 10.30am at the Ballarat Greyhound Club.