Rockhampton Brothers stalwart Brendon ‘Ben’ Hall loses cancer battle

Rockhampton Brothers Rugby League stalwart Brendon ‘Ben’ Hall is being remembered as a beautiful soul who had a positive influence on everyone he met after he lost his brave battle with cancer at the weekend.

Rockhampton Brothers rugby league stalwart Brendon Hall lost his battle with cancer on December 1, 2024.

Brendon ‘Ben’ Hall just had a way about him, a way that endeared him to all those he met.

He was a “champion bloke” with a heart of gold whose kindness knew no bounds.

He loved life but tragically, his life ended on Sunday when he lost his two-year battle with cancer.

He was 60 years old.

“Hally” was the cherished husband of Kim and devoted father of Lachlan and Rebecca.

Stalwart Brendon Hall decked out in the blue and white of his beloved Rockhampton Brothers footy club.

He was a stalwart of Rockhampton Brothers junior and senior rugby league clubs and his death has reverberated through the local footy community and beyond.

Senior club president Tom Simpson described the former chairman, committee member and team manager as a “remarkable individual” and a “true clubman”.

“Hally had a unique ability to make everyone feel important,” he said.

“His friendship was a gift, one that offered comfort, understanding and an unwavering support you could always count on.”

Brendon Hall with wife Kim and children Lachlan and Rebecca.

Hally’s association with Brothers started with the juniors and followed in step with the progress through the playing ranks of Lachlan and later Rebecca, who went on to captain the A-grade women to a premiership.

He was junior president in 2003 and started on the senior committee in 2016, taking the top job in 2020.

He was awarded life membership of the junior club in 2015 and was thrilled to receive the same honour from the senior club just weeks ago.

Steve Parle and Tom Simpson have paid tribute to their good friend and clubmate, Brendon Hall.

Tom said when Hally received his diagnosis, he faced it head-on with his steely resolve and his characteristic “glass half-full attitude”.

Hally’s love for Brothers was reciprocated, with its members rallying in the wake of the heartbreaking news, raising more than $35,000 for him at a special event last June.

Those members are rallying again, embracing his family and paying tribute to a man who leaves behind a special legacy.

Brisbane Broncos’ staffer Steve Parle led the chorus of condolences, saying the “world has lost a champion bloke”.

Brendon Hall (second from right) enjoying a beer and a laugh at the footy with Lance Barrie, Sirio Bertucci and Brad Russell.

He said he got a hell of a shock when he received news of Hally’s passing.

“This is such sad news. He fought really hard against that bloody dreadful disease,” he said.

“Brendon was a champion bloke; a gentle man with a huge heart and an infectious smile.

“He would help anybody out, you only had to ask and he was the first one there.”

Steve and Hally were introduced when Steve was teaching at The Cathedral College in Rockhampton, where Lachlan and Rebecca were students.

Brendon Hall pictured with Rockhampton Brothers A-grade men's captain Lachlan Campbell.

It grew stronger through Lachlan’s involvement with the school footy team and their ensuing trips to the annual Confraternity Carnivals.

Steve remembered those trips fondly, particularly Hally sharing “war stories” of his own playing days in his hometown of Wondoan.

The two men were also passionate about Brothers, with Steve describing them as “kindred spirits” because of their shared desire to always do what they could for the club.

The Rockhampton Brothers Senior Rugby League Club’s 2022 executive committee - treasurer Doris Wheeler, chairman Brendon Hall and secretary Karen Chapman.

But Steve said his most enduring memory of Hally was the influence he had on people.

“It didn’t matter when they were male or female, young or old, he had a really big impact on them,” he said.

“I’ve never heard anyone say a bad word about him and that’s rare.

“That’s a testament to the man he was.”

A celebration of Hally’s life will be held at St Joseph’s Cathedral in Rockhampton at 10am on Friday.

Originally published as Rockhampton Brothers stalwart Brendon ‘Ben’ Hall loses cancer battle