Elsternwick sporting great Gary Rosewarne dies at age 68

The Elsternwick football and cricket clubs are mourning Gary Rosewarne, who achieved numerous accolades and honours in his time in sport.

Gary Rosewarne at Elsternwick.

The local sporting scene lost one of its best-loved characters with the death of Gary “Lumpy’’ Rosewarne last Wednesday.

Rosewarne, 68, collapsed while walking his dog near his Clayton home.

Teammates and officials remembered him as a talented footballer and cricketer, a fierce competitor, and a great friend with an affable persona.

In both sports he made his name at Elsternwick.

A strong and skilled onballer, he was named captain of Elsternwick Amateur Football Club’s team of the century after an outstanding career that extended to 289 senior games and took in numerous awards and accolades.

Rosewarne won the best and fairest in 1976, 1980, 1981, 1982 and 1989; he claimed the competition E grade medal in 1982; and he topped the competition goalkicking in 1973.

The club placed him in its hall of fame and he was a member of the VAFA 300 Club.

He had started at Elsty in 1970, kicking 50 goals in the Under 19s.

Rosewarne also coached the club from 1981-1988, in 1995 and in 2013 (when the team was runner-up in D3 section).

Gary Rosewarne (front row, second from right) at Elsternwick Cricket Club.

There were other roles too, heading the football department and serving on the committee as vice-president. At the time of his death he was Elsternwick’s director of football and on the committee.

“He will leave a hole that cannot be filled,’’ the club said.

“Despite all his sporting achievements, Gary was a very modest and humble man. He was a mate who touched the lives of five decades of Elsternwick players, coaches and officials, and many throughout the VAFA community. His caring nature lead to many life long friendships both inside and outside of football.’’

Former Elsternwick president Adam Hankin said a lot of former Wicks caught up with Rosewarne at a recent past players’ day.

“He was running around as happy as Larry,’’ Hankin said.

He said Rosewarne made a towering contribution to the club on and off the field.

Rosewarne clearly inherited some of the ability of his father, Keith, who played 92 games for St Kilda from 1946 to 1951 and was good enough to win the best and fairest in his first season.

Gary Rosewarne was also an accomplished cricketer for Elsternwick, captaining the First XI Sub-District team in 1978-79.

He joined the juniors in 1966-67 and progressed into the senior teams with his left-arm mediums and determined batting.

Rosewarne played more than 100 games for the Wicks, taking 137 wickets at 18 in the First XI and heading the bowling averages in 1974-75 and 1975-76. He later had much success at South Caulfield Cricket Club, where he received life membership.

“Gary was always willing to help out at the club. He served on the committee, umpired Country Week matches and hosted club Christmas functions in the family home. More recently he helped out with advice to our curators when requested,’’ Elsternwick Cricket Club said.

Rosewarne prepared turf wickets on the Caulfield Council staff from 1980 to 1997 and then took on the curation role at Xavier College.

Gary Rosewarne is survived by his wife, Erin, daughter Blaire, son Matthew and four grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements are being made.