Warren ‘Pop Hoc’ Hockey remember as a ‘loveable bloke’ who lit up the room

The ‘last steam engine driver’ of the Elgin Vale sawmill led a full and vibrant life, packed with family, footy and community involvement before his unexpected death on February 15.

Warren Hockey, a “true gentleman” and integral part of the South Burnett community, passed away earlier this month. Source: Charlie Spagalli Photography and Videography

A “true gentleman” and integral part of the South Burnett community who died unexpectedly on February 15 has been remembered with love, admiration and sadness by his devastated family and friends.

Widower Warren Keith Hockey, 75, was a campdraft and rugby league enthusiast and stalwart, a father, brother and “born and bred” local who always had a smile on his face and delighted in helping keep the young players of the Nanango Stags on their toes.

His funeral notice published by Virgo Funerals said: “Loving husband of Beverley (dec’d). Beloved father to Naomi, Jody (dec’d), Dale (dec’d), Barry, Russell and Troy. Cherished father-in-law, grandfather and great-grandfather to their families. Loved brother to Norma, Ronda, Ray and Lynn. Sadly missed by his extended family.”

Mr Hockey was an active member of the South Burnett campdrafting community, a foundation committee member of the Nanango Sporting Association and a formative resident of the historic Elgin Vale “timber town”.

He grew up living in a home on the creek flat beside the Elgin Vale steam powered sawmill and followed in his father’s footstep, working at the mill for 14 years in various positions, including as the last steam engine driver.

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In a 2024 video project filmed as part of the centenary of the Manumbar Settlement hall, videographer and photographer Charlie Spagalli said telling rich and lasting stories wouldn’t be possible without people like Warren Hockey, “generous folk who take the time to share some of their stories, knowledge and memories”. Source: Charlie Spagalli Photography and Videography

He was the vice-president of the Manumbar Campdraft Association and former president of the Nanango Stags rugby league club.

Vice-president of the Mt Stanley Muster Committee John Dohle said the group was devastated to learn of Mr Hockey’s death.

“There has always been a great camaraderie between Mt Stanley Muster committee and the Manumbar Campdraft Association, two fairly isolated and neighbouring campdraft associations,” he said.

“When Mt Stanley holds a campdraft, Manumbar members show up and lend a hand and vice versa.

“So, when we learned that Warren had passed, it devastated our small committee.”

Mr Dohle described Mr Hockey as a great all-round sportsman and a fundamental part of the campdraft community.

“He not only played an integral part of the campdraft (association), he was an integral part of the Manumbar community,” he said.

“He was a family man with true principles, a real gentleman and an all-round knockabout bloke!”

Warren Hockey works hard in the early rounds of the campdraft, 2013. Source: Troy Kippen

Senior vice-president of the Nanango Stags Brad Staple first met Mr Hockey when he joined the club as a teenager in the early 2000s and remembered him as an influential figure.

“He was well loved around the club,” he said.

“Pop Hoc they used to call him.”

“He always had a smile on his face and made the room a lot brighter, as a lot of them older folk do when they’re around the young ones.”

Mr Staple said Mr Hockey loved to come and watch the home games and was an “avid supporter” of the team.

Warren Hockey in an interview as part of the Manumbar Settlement Hall centenary celebrations. 2024. Source: Charlie Spagalli Photography and Videography

While he loved to laugh, Mr Staple also remembered him keeping the young blokes on their toes.

“He was just real, genuine and down to earth,” he said.

“He kept us all on the straight and narrow and loved to have a laugh and definitely a couple of nice cold beers.

“He was a real loveable bloke who is going to be sadly missed around the place, that’s for sure.”

A funeral service was held at Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church, Gipps Street, Nanango, on Wednesday, February 26, 2025.

Originally published as Warren ‘Pop Hoc’ Hockey remember as a ‘loveable bloke’ who lit up the room