Walter Matthews
Dr. Walter (Wally) Frederick Matthews
1884 - 1954
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Dr Wally Matthews was one of Orange's most respected sporting administrators, having an enormous influence on both cricket and rugby in the district. He was also Mayor of Orange from 1936-1944 and 1948-1950. Wally played rugby for New South Wales in 1906, 1908 and 1910 and was considered unlucky not to gain selection in the Wallaby team of 1908.
At the end of World War I, Wally Matthews was in England and the AIF Sports Control Board joined an inter-services and dominion services competition where 16 matches were played. Wally managed the AIF team and he continued his close association with the game on his return to Australia.
In 1933 he was paid the great honour of being selected as Tour Manager for the Wallabies team to South Africa. This team was generally considered to be the first Australian team to make a tour to a major rugby nation with a truly Australian representation. A notable omission from this side was the great Cyril Towers, it was generally considered that he was omitted because he could not get on with Dr Matthews and found his forthright manner too disruptive.
The team played 23 matches on tour, winning 12, drawing one and losing 10, and caused an upset after early poor form to defeat the Springboks in two tests.
In 1937 the visiting Springboks played in Orange and tour Manager, Percy Day said that on the 1933 tour, Dr Matthews proved to be one of the most popular Australia sportsmen to visit South Africa.
