Whistle blew too early on Richie By Tony Durkin
Queensland Intrust Super Cup teams the Sunshine Coast Falcons and PNG Hunters observe a minute’s silence in remembrance of Richie Johnston. Photo courtesy of Ritchie Duce - Level Eleven Photography.
Richie Johnston was only small in stature, but he was big on effort when it came to rugby league and, in particular, refereeing. And, he was a born entertainer. So it was fitting that when Richie was farewelled on the Sunshine Coast recently that a huge crowd – estimated at more than 800 – was on hand to say goodbye. Fitting also, was that some of the game’s most respected referees were among the mourners. Richard Johnston, OAM, was in his 78th year when he passed away suddenly while mowing the lawn on 4 April. He had previously enjoyed very good health. A former State League referee, Johnston made a seamless transition into the coaching and education field and was instrumental in the development of Queensland’s leading referees for more than 25 years. His mantra was “I may not necessarily make you a better referee, but I will make you a better person”. Johnston’s love of the game and his passion for assisting others took him all over Queensland in his role as the inaugural QRL Referees’ development manager. This newly-created position - in 1992 - raised some eyebrows but the doubters were soon silenced as Richie managed everything involved with the referees, from State League coaching to QRL carnivals and development. A decade later he took on a new role with the QRL’s South East Queensland and Wide Bay divisions. And even though he officially retired from the QRL in 2009, Johnston was never lost to the game. Until the day of 28
Men of League
|
June 2017
Richie Johnston.
his sudden passing he spent time mentoring young match officials from the Sunshine Coast-Gympie Referees Association and regularly travelled to Papua New Guinea to assist with the coaching and education of the referees in that developing rugby league nation. And a number of those youngsters attended his funeral service, including current NRL referees Peter Gough and Chris Butler, regular Holden Cup referee and NRL touch judge Belinda Sleeman and Intrust Super Cup referees Tyson Brough and Jackson Shearer. Also among the mourners were a host of former topline referees including Tim Mander, Ian Smith, Mick Stone, Eddie Ward, Steve Clark, Tony Archer and Tony Maksoud. Sunshine Coast rugby league clubs and many in the wider Central Queensland area observed a