Hockey stadium ideal venue for sporting legend’s 90th milestone

Bunbury sporting legend Marie Cross has reached another milestone, celebrating her 90th birthday on November 2.

Mrs Cross spent the momentous occasion at the perfect place, her second home — the Bunbury Hockey Stadium.

“I’ve been around hockey since I was 17 ... I have such a great love for the club,” she said.

“Celebrating at the hockey stadium was like a big family affair, everyone knew everyone.

“The friendship has been there all those years with the other players and members.”

Hockey has always been at the core of Mrs Cross’ life, and she is still the sponsor and donor of the Marie Cross Medal for the fairest and best player of the Bunbury Women’s Hockey Association.

A life member at Bunbury District Hockey Association, Mrs Cross won 10 consecutive premierships between 1949 and 1959.

At 90, Mrs Cross still works as a meet and greet volunteer at Bunbury Hospital, a position she has held for more than 20 years.

I love being able to welcome people and provide them with some comfort.

Her achievements don’t stop there. Mrs Cross runs the Bunbury Scrabble Club and was a torchbearer for the 2000 Sydney Olympics — a proud moment in her life.

Mrs Cross was also awarded Citizen of the Year by Bunbury City Council in 1991.

She has given her life to Bunbury sport and said she had such a love for the community.

“I’ve done a lot for this community because it’s given me so much,” Mrs Cross said. “I try to do my part.”