The patron of the Southern Highlands Water Polo Club, Raymond Leslie Smee OAM, Olympian, and JP, passed away late last month at the age of 89 at the Abbey in Mittagong.
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Ray became involved with Bowral water polo soon after the Smees moved to the Southern Highlands in 1995 - at age 65.
His arrival was a huge plus for the local club. Ray was friendly and modest, with a water polo background that was second to none. He started playing water polo as a sixteen year old, he was soon selected in the Bondi First grade side in 1947-48.
Not long after, he was chosen in the NSW side and then the Australian team for the Christchurch Centenary Games in 1950. Ray was a dual Olympian, representing Australia at the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki, where he was the team's vice Captain.
He was the first Australian selected in the FINA 'rest of the world' side from these Olympics. A trip to Helsinki in those days meant a very long sea voyage, with the ship's pool smaller than most backyard varieties of today. This was hardly a great training ground for Olympic preparation.
Ray then had the honour of being the Captain of the Australian team at the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne.
He achieved 50 test caps playing for Australia. Ray was the chairman of selectors for the Olympic Water Polo teams of 1964,1968 and1972. He was admitted to the Australian Water Polo Hall of Fame in 2010.
Ray Captained the NSW side throughout the 1950s and Captained the Bondi side over their First Grade 10 year NSWAWPA Premiership domination from 1948-1957. Ray continued to play water polo as a Bowral Water Polo 'Polar Bear' into his 70's and lost none of his 'cunning' touch in the pool right until he hung up his swimmers.
Ray also played first grade Rugby Union for Eastern Suburbs. He was on the Board and was a President of Bowral Golf Club. He was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in 2005 for services to various sports, which obviously included water polo.
Ray was a great communicator and had the gift of stimulating communication with people of all ages, from teenagers to seniors. He gave a great deal of time to coaching and mentoring players of all ages.
Ray has been one of the Patrons of Bowral Water Polo, now known as Southern Highlands Water Polo, for over ten years. He sponsored the Under 14's competition. As a mark of Ray's contribution to local water polo, the Club has created the 'Ray Smee Memorial Trophy' for the annual A-Grade competition.
An example of the sort of person Ray was is illustrated by the potential he saw in 'rising' junior players.
Kate Scruton (Grant), who started playing water polo for Illawarra in the Bowral competition in the early 90's, is just one example. Kate had a definite talent (her name dominates the Women's Best and Fairest Trophy!) and Ray took control mentoring her to be chosen in the Australian Country team to play in Hawaii in 1998.
His support and enthusiasm was always welcomed by Kate. Ray also sponsored a number of scholarships for junior players to attend coaching clinics and camps outside the Southern Highlands.
When members of the Gold Medal 2000 Olympic Women's Team were invited to attend the 25th anniversary of Bowral Water Polo, Ray asked the committee if there was anyone who couldn't attend because of the cost, and anonymously paid for their tickets.
Ray was committed to whatever he chose to do whether it was family matters, work, and evidently different sports.
Ray has been married to Isabel for 65 years. They have had a wonderful relationship, Isabel must be very patient, as Ray was regularly helping out with a wide range of organisations and sporting individuals.
He had a very full, enjoyable life and made friends easily.
Ray was truly well liked and created atmosphere wherever he went.
Southern Highlands Water Polo is just one organisation Ray has touched over his lifetime, those who have been lucky enough to know him who will miss Ray Smee enormously.
