Vale Marcia Hill

She was a person who would do anything for anyone at any club. 

Marcia Hill, a life member of Rugby League Brisbane, is being remembered for her passion for helping kids enjoy rugby league and driving development initiatives across Brisbane for almost 40 years.

Hill, who passed away last week aged 83, started her committee involvement as secretary of Norths Juniors through the 1980s, later moving to Aspley for nine years.

She took her talents to board level as chair of Zone 2 on Brisbane’s northside, making her presence felt in a management capacity at Brisbane Junior Rugby League, Greater Brisbane Junior Rugby League and SEQ Stingers to represent any club needing a helping hand.

Hill stopped her administrative involvement after the 2013 season, stepping away from the grade registrar role she had held for 25 years.

Di Harrison – mum to former Queensland State of Origin and NRL star Ashley Harrison – has rugby league to thank for meeting her “best mate”, recalling Marcia’s unbridled passion for helping young people succeed in footy.

“We went through all our junior footy with ‘Marce’ at the helm. Marce was just one of a kind. Junior rugby league, to her, was everything," Harrison said.

“She was someone everybody looked up to, all the kids loved her and she was great with the kids, she was terrific. If anyone has any problems, they would go to Marcie was there, always.”

Harrison said the Miss Junior Rugby League initiative was one of Marcia’s favourite projects, staying involved in the event until it ended in 2015.

The pair would spend months planning the function, working in secret to develop a theme and making props for each year.

Marcia ultimately became part of the Harrison family, though Ash’s departure from the Brisbane Broncos – which she gave her unabashed support – caused some consternation.

“(Ash) left the Broncos and we thought she’d never forgive him, but she did. She still watched him play. She was very close to Ash, and Ash very close to her as well,” Harrison said. 

“She was a tremendous character, but to me, personally, a friend.

“She was just a wonderful person. She was one of the best people I have ever known in my life. It was a great friendship, not just because of rugby league.”

Geoff Orman, who worked alongside Hill as a QRL junior development coach, is one of many who have posted glowing tributes, appreciating her forthrightness as an administrator and willingness to pitch in to solve any crisis.

But it wasn’t only youngsters in the Brisbane area who benefited from her passion.

Orman told of Hill’s support for initiatives to take southeast Queensland juniors to outback clubs, where she attended regular activities in Charleville, in a program that eventually evolved into the annual Rees Orman City Country Cultural Exchange. 

Hill was also pivotal helping new clubs and their committees get established in their early stages right across the South East. 

Terry Hill, one of five children to Marcia and husband Jim, said his mum simply loved rugby league in every capacity. 

“She just loved the kids, she just loved being at the club, she loved the social part of it and really enjoyed the footy atmosphere. Right to the end she talked about it, and she really missed it,” Hill said. 

“She just liked helping everybody out. Geoff Orman put out a beautiful message about how mum would do anything for anyone at any club. 

“Our whole life was rugby league, really.” 

Terry said it was an honour for the family to have his mum’s contribution recognised in the Cronk-Hill-Stumer Cup, awarded at the SEQ Under 13 and Under 14 Championships since 2010.

Further accolades included life membership of Northern Suburbs JRL in 1990, an Australian Sports Medal in 2000 and an Australian Rugby League Centenary Medal in 2008, accompanying the Greater Brisbane Junior Rugby League life membership awarded in 2006.

Anyone wishing to pay their respects is invited to attend a memorial service on January 6, 2023 at Albany Creek Memorial Park’s Lakeview Chapel, from 11am.