Tributes to Warren Saunders

St George Cricket Club | March 17, 2023

The loss of Warren Saunders is perhaps the heaviest felt since that of Les Blackshaw many years ago. Whilst Blackshaw essentially built Hurstville Oval with his own two hands, Warren Saunders built the St George prestige of the 1960s with his bat. He brought entertaining and successful Cricket to the St George populace in a period of great sporting success for the region. In his time as Captain, President and patron among many other things, Warren shared a friendship with my grandfather, Brian Booth, which lasted for over 70 years since their first meeting. An occasion which Warren fondly recalled at the First Grade Centenary Dinner last September. Although it is a time of mourning, we can also be encouraged by their long-standing faith and friendship. Warren's kindness, support, and enthusiasm for all at St George enriched those around him. We at the St George DCC are the beneficiaries of the success he built. We are better people and better cricketers for having known him. He will be deeply missed for a long time.

Nathan Anderson on behalf of the Booth family (Brian Booth – Life Member No.17)

St George First Grade team pay their respects to Warren Saunders before their Round 15 game v Northern Districts

Wacky Saunders a very good cricketer & leader. A passionate Club man & successful businessperson who will be sorely missed.

Ray Tozer (Life Member No.24) 

I feel both privileged and honoured to have known Warren personally for over 50 years. His guidance and mentorship helped me to be a better person.

I have been fortunate to achieve some successes in my life both on the cricket field and in the workplace. When I consider these it's amazing that Warren Saunders fingerprints are on most of those successes.

A standout for me about Warren is his positivity. From what I observed and from what I have heard from other players, Warren's batsmanship and captaincy always came forward with a positive approach. His positivity within his own business was infectious for everyone who followed him. I was one of the lucky ones.

Murray Bennett (Life Member No.28) 

Warren always had time for you, and he loved talking about cricket. On many occasions while watching a

game he’d say to me ‘We would have got a single there Match!’

Greg Matchett (Life Member No.30)

Outstanding skipper…a mentor…lived his life by the mantra “always do the right thing “…welcoming and personable…respected everybody… will be remembered fondly forever

Kerry O’Keeffe (Life Member No.33)

In addition to being a great sounding board about your game, especially if you were seeking form, Warren was very helpful to me when I decided to start my own business. He stressed the importance of good will and advised, “If you can’t do something, Warwick, then find someone who can – don’t think you have to do everything and trust your colleagues”.

For the past twenty years or so, my business has maintained several policies through WSIB. I have never needed to look elsewhere. His business ethic and legacy permeate throughout that company.

Warwick Hayes (Life Member No.38)

Lurch – “I’m just going to fix the bill”.

Wacky – “No, it’s already been paid”.

Ray Davies (Life Member No.45)

My favourite Warren Saunders memory was after a 1st grade premiership Warren in the change rooms, always immaculately dressed, covered in beer and absolutely loving it. He was Mr St George.

He was the most universally admired and respected person I have met.

Graeme Rummans (Life Member No.47)

Warren was one of the first people I met at St George, being the selector who welcomed me to the club in 1993, thus it was a great honour to host the tributes at Olds Park during the recent Warren Saunders Round. To distil his qualities into a two-minute tribute was, of course, impossible, but it was a pleasure to share my memories of his wisdom, integrity, generosity and humility with the teams, umpires, and supporters. Warren's legacy inspired everyone present to engage in a keen contest, but to prioritize relationships and new friendships over the result. Our club could do no better than to produce cricketers and young men who share the qualities of Warren, and our co-patron Brian.

Steve Wark (Life Member No.50)

Warren was a great cricketer and an even better bloke, these two sayings don’t always go together. He was humble and generous and loved watching the Saints go round every Saturday, he was invested in the game. There has been or will be no better Saint than Wacky!

Steve Green (Life Member No.51)

The kids at Gannons Park paying their respects before their games on Saturday.

Warren had a very special way about him. It was as if he cracked the secret code to life. He lived and played so successfully for one almighty innings, yet he left the most positive impression on everyone along the way. He taught me there's nothing wrong with going for the win in life but do it with a straight bat. "Honour Alone is in the contest". When I finally get to cracking Warren's special code, I'll be sure throw it up on the St George Facebook Page!!!

Hamish Solomons (Life Member No.53)

The names associated with St George DCC include some of cricket’s greatest players and administrators. None have made a greater contribution than Warren Saunders. His playing record at the Club is outstanding, his efforts off the field are also extraordinary. Of course, while our focus is on cricket, it must be remembered that Warren was also a renowned business leader, community volunteer, fundraiser and much-loved husband, father and grandfather. We are privileged to have been the beneficiaries of his wisdom, kindness, generosity, and friendship.

Kevin Greene (Life Member No.56)

How lucky I am to have walked through the gates of Hurstville Oval, with custodians of this great club the calibre of Warren Saunders. I consider myself very lucky to have had Wacky as a mentor, friend, and fellow Saint. Some of my fondest memories were Mad Monday’s hearing his stories. We lost a legend this week, but we haven’t lost a single bit of the spirit he gave us.

Trent Copeland (Life Member No.59)

I’m going to miss our catch ups, I loved listening to his stories, amazing thing about Wack’s stories is that he was always championing someone else. I want him to know, and everyone to really understand how much of a champion he was.

Wack was my mentor, not through his words but through his actions and character. A great man and someone I was extremely fortunate to call a great mate. Thanks W

Mosies Henriques (Life Member No.60)

I never saw Warren play cricket, but his 10,952 runs for St George and his Baggy Blue NSW cap says he was very good.

I never saw Warren lead a cricket team, but 5 premierships as captain says he was a very good.

I wasn't at St George when Warren was President, but I heard he was very good.

I didn’t know Warren as a businessperson, but he was obviously very good.

I did know Warren as the Patron of the Club and I know he was very good.

I got to know Warren as a mentor, supporter and a loyal and generous man and he was very good, in fact he was incredibly good.

I had the privilege of listening to Warren share stories and he was a wonderfully good storyteller.

Gee he was a good man.

What a life incredibly well lived. Rest easy Wack, you’ve earned it.

Paul Ryan (Life Member No.62)