Bendigo sporting legend farewelled

Uniting Church yesterday to farewell Bendigo sporting legend and icon Herbert `Herb' Hesse.

The lawn bowls, cricket, golf champion and businessman passed away on Tuesday, aged 89.

Mr Hesse's grand-daughter, Leah Hesse, said her `little pop' shared a close bond with everyone.

"I just want everybody to take a moment and remember a time when they connected with Herb

and had a moment of pure joy and happiness," she said.

"Every time I was in the presence of pop, I experienced that.

"There was never a dull moment with little pop, he was always full of energy, ready to play games."

Ms Hesse said her `little pop' was the true essence of a grandpa.

"He was loving, caring, wise, honourable, passionate, fun, knowledgeable, the list could go

on," she said.

"Today, we remember the quality moments that he

brought to each and every one of us. Thank you, pop, we love you."

Good friend Bruce Reid said Mr Hesse loved Bendigo, in both sport and business.

"He played golf, cricket and lawn bowls at an elite level," he said.

"He had this outstanding ability to impart his knowledge of sport onto others to help them

join in.

"Herb Hesse was a sporting person to Bendigo, a loving husband to Jean, a father to Morris and Cheryl and grandfather to Rhys and Leah. Farewell old mate."

Mr Reid also spoke about the life of `Herbie'.

He gave vivid details about his early years as a student at both Violet Street and Camp Hill primary schools, he spoke of his enlistment in World War II and about his wedding day to Jean in 1946.

But the most talked about memory was Mr Hesse's sporting achievements - and there were many.

Mr Hesse will be remembered by the community as one of Bendigo's greatest lawn bowlers.

One of the greens at the Bendigo Bowls Club is named the Herb Hesse Green.

He represented Victoria, won the BDBA Champion of Champions tournament three times, was Bendigo Bowls Club's singles champion nine times and skippered Bendigo in A grade pennant for 20 years.

Mr Hesse was also a life member of the Bendigo United Cricket Club, having played for the club for more than 20 years.

He also played A grade pennant golf in Bendigo and led Bendigo's golf team at Melbourne Country Week for 10 years.

Mr Hesse was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for his contribution to sport and was an inductee to the The Advertiser-Southern Cross TEN Sports Star

Hall of Fame.

Mr Hesse was buried at the Bendigo Lawn Cemetery.