State farewells Nipper, champion of Geelong

Andrew Mathieson
MOURNERS gathered yesterday for a state memorial service at Geelong Football Club to celebrate the life of Neil Trezise.
Mr Trezise suffered a heart attack last Friday and died two days later in Geelong Hospital, aged 75.
The man affectionately known as ‘Nipper’ for his exploits as a Cats rover between 1949 and 1959 also represented Geelong in state parliament for 28 years from 1964.
He served as Minister of Youth, Sport and Recreation under the Cain and Kirner governments during his final 10 years.
His son, Ian, who has followed him into politics as Member for Geelong, said the state service was destined to be at Kardinia Park.
“To Nipper, football was a religion and the place was his church,” Ian said.
He told the service his father had worried that “all his mates would go before him”.
“He was concerned there would be nobody at his funeral,” Ian said.
Nipper identified with the working-class community and was a battler or, as he liked to call himself, “a lucky mug,” Ian said.
Neil Trezise is survived by wife Joan, Ian, daughter Helen and four grandchildren.