Harold McLaren

Harold McLaren was seen as an icon of River Murray and Murray Lands football for well over forty years. Harold officiated in 756 games as an umpire in the River Murray and Murray Lands Football Leagues from 1968 to 2008. Harold was also an accomplished writer and together with his knowledge of local sport made him an outstanding local sports journalist. He wrote sports reports for the Murray Valley Standard for over 50 years mostly under the ‘Sports Scene’ banner.

Harold was responsible for producing a number of publications on a wide variety of topics relating to the Murray Bridge area. Mostly of a sporting nature, River Murray, Mannum, Palmer and Ramblers football, and Murray Towns, Imperials and Monarto cricket. He also published items on such diverse subjects as electricity, the Australian Labor Party and the Murray Valley Standard.

Harold was awarded life membership of the Murray Towns Cricket Association, the Monarto Cricket Club, the Imperial Cricket Club, the River Murray Football League and the River Murray Football League Umpires Panel. His many achievements were rewarded with the presentation of a Centenary Medal and “Living Treasure” status in 2003 and in 2006 an SA Great Regional Award.

In 2014 Harold was presented with the honour of Murray Bridge Citizen of the Year, just a few days before his passing. Harold’s final ‘Sports Scene’ column, number 1018, was published just nine days before he died.