Wally Bates - A Sportsman. A Gentleman.

As it is National Reconciliation Week in Western Australia we have focused on the life of Wally Bates and the impact he had on people living here in the hills namely in Parkerville and Midland and further afield.

Wally was born in Northam in 1922 and was one of four children born to Eliza. At the age of 2 he went to live at Parkerville Children’s Home and spent his early years living under the care of Sister Kate. After he had finished his schooling, he worked at the home where one of his jobs was to cart loads of pigs to the slaughterhouse in Midland.

At 18 Wally started an apprenticeship in plastering and grano work at the foundry in Midland. He was an all-round sportsman playing cricket, football and tennis for Parkerville but also showed a great interest in boxing.

When the second world war started, he enlisted and was sent to Adelaide. Whilst there he went into a hotel with his friends and although he was in uniform, he was told the hotel didn’t serve “coloureds”. He walked out and as a protest never took another (alcoholic) drink in his life.

Whilst he was in the army, he received his first certificate for boxing. He boxed as a welter weight representing the army. This was in December 1943.

After leaving the army he trained at East Cannington Gymnasium where his talent was recognised. He trained every Tuesday and Thursday. He also ran 6 miles a day, 6 times a week and played football or cricket on Sundays. He won numerous tournaments and was selected to represent WA in 1949. By 1951 Wally was boxing at the Midland Branch of the WA Federation of Police and Citizens Boys Club (later the words were changed to Youth, and girls became involved). During that time, he won in the State Boxing Championships. Wally went on to become a judge, referee and coach. He encouraged all boys to burn off their energy in a constructive way at the club. He became a father figure and friend, and for others he was a hero.

When Wally died suddenly in 1975 (at the early age of 54) hundreds mourned the loss of this man who was indeed a “fighter”. Around 300 people attended his funeral, including personal friends and representatives of many sporting bodies.

Afterwards in October a special Boxing Tournament was held at 11 Byers Road Midland to raise funds for a headstone at Swan View Cemetery. Around $400 was raised for a bronzed headstone on which was written:

W (Wally) Bates

1921 – 1975

A SPORTSMAN. A GENTLEMAN

Erected in his Memory By

MIDLAND POLICE & CITIZENS YOUTH CLUB

WEST AUSTRALIAN AMATEUR BOXING ASSOC.

ALWAYS REMEMBERED