The Ballarat, Victorian and Wider Australian Table Tennis Community were saddened this week as we learnt of the passing of Erminio (George) Gardoz, who passed away peacefully at Gandarra on the morning of Tuesday, April 7th.
George was a player and Committee member of the Ballarat Table Tennis Association for over 30 years. He had been Vice-President and also a TT Victorian committee member for a short time. George was a Life Member of the Victorian No. 1 over-50’s Team in the Darwin National Veterans’ Titles in 1998.
George was a State Umpire, and refereed at BTTA Open Tournaments. Two of his most cherished roles were as an umpire and scores official in the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games, and acting as a guide for players at the Sydney Olympics.
His job there, was to ensure that players reached their appropriate tables in time for their matches. He organized both Primary and Secondary Schools Competitions for several years, and was involved in organising Junior Pennant when his 4 sons were young players. He also ran coaching and introduction clinics at primary schools for several years.
George designed and installed a computer system for preparing draws and results of BTTA Pennant. He liaised with TTV on behalf of the BTTA and was instrumental in introducing and explaining any new rules and regulations which had been decided at State, National or International Levels, and how they applied to BTTA as an affiliated body.
George was a paid employee of the BTTA for many years, but his contribution went far beyond any time or set of responsibilities which he was paid for. Australian, Victorian, and particularly Ballarat Table Tennis, have lost one of their most vital and loyal supporters.
Table Tennis was not the only sport which George was involved in. He had played A Grade cricket in his 30’s, indoor tennis for several season, and was involved with the Buninyoung Golf Club in later years.
George had taught maths and science at several secondary schools in Ballarat and Maryborough for many years. He was a competent painter. His work has appeared in 3 local exhibitions. Some of his new paintings have been bequeathed to the BTTA, and may be seen at the Dowling Street Stadium.
George Gardoz was committed to improving the way sport was run. He is well respected for his efforts, and will be sadly missed by his friends, and by the many people who have benefited from his tireless work.
Vale, George!
Vale George Gardoz
Some information gleaned by Arlene Verplak from George in hospital the week before he passed away.
Immigrated to Australia at the age of 12 from a part of Italy which is now known as Croatia. A teacher for the past 30 years he has taught Maths, Science and Computer Studies. He has lived in Ballarat for the past 40 years and has 4 sons, all of whom play Table Tennis.
Ballarat Table Tennis Association:
George has been playing table tennis in Ballarat since 1976, as well as in Vic Vets Pennant.
An active and vital member of the BTTA Committee he has held the portfolio for Publicity and Promotion and has been Vice President for a number of years.
As Senior Pennant Coordinator for the past 18 years he has been instrumental in bringing the Ballarat Table Tennis Association into the computer age by developing a programme that tabulates pennant results, team draws as well as other table tennis related matters.
He has represented Ballarat in Country Week since the early 90’s. By choice he has not involved himself in coaching as “it seems too much like teaching and I did not like having to give orders all the time.”
Table Tennis Victoria
* Has held the position of TTV Vice President for 2 years.
* Manager – Veterans State Team for 6-7 years.
* Manager – Veterans State Country Victoria Reps. Touring Interstate for 6-7 years.
* Selected in Victoria Vets State Team in the O40 A team in ’91 – Canberra.
* Selected in Victoria Vets State Team in the O40 B team – Perth
* Victoria Vets State Team O40 B President’s Team – Adelaide
* Victoria Vets State Team O60 B President’s Team – Gold Coast
* An Official Umpire since 1991
* Umpired at World Vet’s Championship in Melbourne in 1992 as well as Australian National League Matches.
* Officiated as “Results Assistant” for the 2000 Trial Event, Sydney Olympics and Paralympics.
* Officiated at Melbourne’s Commonwealth Games as Court Manager.
Other sports that George has been active in are soccer, Australia rules football, cricket, golf, athletics and volleyball. He was the inaugural president of the Ballarat Volleyball Association and held this position for 2 years.
An accomplished artist who taught himself how to paint, George uses acrylics as his medium. He has exhibited his work in town halls and cafes in Country Victoria.
Throughout the years other interests have included reading, camping, gardening, computer programming, and writing. He has tried his hand and has let his imagination wander into the Science Fiction genre by writing a novel as well as short stories (not yet published at the time of this writing). Play acting and directing amateur plays was also something close to his heart.
IN MEMORIAM – GEORGE GARDOZ (1944 – 2009)
TRIBUTE TO GEORGE by Andrew Beaton/Cyril Pha
George Gardoz passed away peacefully on the 7th of April, after struggling with Laryngeal cancer. For those who knew him it’s been a time to reflect on some of his achievements.
In Ballarat, he was for a long number of years the voice of table tennis. He spent countless hours recruiting, promoting and organising the senior pennant. Some people used to comment that he lived at the table tennis centre. In recognition of his contributions to the Ballarat Table Tennis Association, he was made a life member.
Some people would say George was petty and a “know it all” but he just had high standards and a vast knowledge of things. He wanted everything to be done correctly and did not give up until the goal was achieved. A perfectionist by nature, the standard for George was always high.
George put a lot of time and effort into the Ballarat Table Tennis Association and like all leaders he ruffled a lot of feathers but also served as an inspiration to quite a few. For sure he steered the BTTA through some rough patches.
If George did not do things himself or organise for things to be done, they would not get done at all. When George stopped being the Pennant Coordinator a couple of years back, the organisation and running of the pennant was in a shambles. It was a relief to get George back running the show.
George was always available to ask advice of, or to debate a point in Table Tennis, or anything else for that matter. He gave excellent guidance if you were willing to listen and compromise a little, as he approached any problem logically and sensibly. He had good communication and people skills and believed firmly in the efficacy of truth.
An unselfish sort of person who was happiest working for the good of everyone, George was one of the first to give you a call or offer a kind word if some misfortune befell you.
Thanks George for it all, you will sorely be missed now that you are gone.
It is so sad to see these stalwarts of our game struck down with the dreaded cancer before their time. We just saw off Kaye O’Loughlin, Ken Cole’s partner for the past three years. Then we saw another hard worker of the game and President of TTNSW, Les Walczuk, succumb to a massive heart attack at only 58 years of age within the same week as Kaye passed away.
These players, who gave their time so freely to serve us, will forever remain in our memory. Their playing ability and the competition we engaged in with them mean little compared to the good times we had together and the work they so cheerfully did for us. George Gardoz I will never forget.
Thinking of their contribution to table tennis inspires us to follow in their footsteps and it has made our table-tennis-family so much the better for it.
I know that George gave much, but also received so much pleasure back in return. Personally I feel very proud and privileged to have been one of his friends.
I spoke to Mick Wright, who together with the now deceased Barry Taylor from Rutherglen, and Dirk Holwerda toured NSW during the nineties with George.
Mick recalls ordering George, who was the manager/driver and fourth player, to stop the car at one stage. George was starting to nod off because of his extra responsibilities and so forth. Dirk Holwerda finished up in the driver’s seat.
Mick said that he felt a lot safer after that. George could catch up with some much-needed sleep. Until suddenly Dirk crashed the car into the side of a bridge!
I believe it was not his fault, as a truck virtually pushed them off the road.
But these exciting times were had by all and fortunately nobody got hurt, except a few bruises and some hurt pride.
Case de Bondt
The Australian Veterans Table Tennis Association 