The New South Wales Rugby League joins the wider rugby league community in offering condolences to the family of Bobby Dimond, who has passed away today at the age of 90.
As the oldest living former Australian player and last of the 1948 Kangaroos, Dimond was a popular figure who enjoyed widespread respect
The older brother of Peter Dimond, Bobby enjoyed a meteoric rise to the top. He made his first grade debut with Dapto at the tender age of 16 and then within two years was selected for Country and NSW, playing two interstate matches in 1948.
At the end of that season he was selected as the youngest member of the Australian Kangaroos for the tour of Great Britain and France under Col Maxwell. Although he didn’t get to play a Test he appeared in 15 matches and returned home with an enhanced reputation.
After another season with Dapto, Dimond joined Western Suburbs in Sydney in 1950 and represented NSW against England but injury saw him miss the Magpies’ appearance in the decider.
He starred for the Magpies in 1951 but broke both legs the following year in a motorbike accident and spent two years recuperating.
In 1954 he attempted to make a comeback with St George, but the injury had taken its toll and he retired at the age of 24. Although his football days were over Dimond enjoyed a long and decorated career as a firefighter before retiring and moving to the far north coast of NSW.
