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A relationship between the Hick family, its civil construction business and Silverdale Rugby Club has been going strong ever since the club began. Right, The Hick family will gather to celebrate the opening of the new lift at Silverdale United Rugby Club this week. From left, Bob Hick, Robyn Brass (nee Hick) and Steve Hick.
Silverdale Rugby Club has a lot to thank the Hick family for and the feeling is mutual.
The relationship was forged in the club’s formative years when it became a second home for “rugby mad” local farmer Trevor Hick, his wife Audrey and their nine children.
Trevor was a founding member who is fondly remembered as ‘the father of Silverdale Rugby Club’.
“The club was our life,” Trevor’s daughter Robyn and son Steve remember. “If we weren’t at home, we were at the club, which was also a community hub.”
Robyn and her sister Lynn played hockey on one of the memorial park’s fields and, over the years, many Hick boys have played rugby for Silverdale, right down to Trevor’s great great grandson Hayden, aged six, who is now playing Rippa.
The club has also been the venue for a number of Hick wedding receptions, birthdays and two family reunions – one in the 1970s and one in 2010. Mourners at Trevor’s funeral filled the big hall in 1993.
In return, over the years, the family and its business, Hick Bros Civil Construction – which was started by Trevor’s sons in 1987 and only recently sold out of family ownership – have supported the club with sponsorship, hands-on help and fundraising. In the early days, Trevor mowed the fields and he was well known for his ‘chook raffles’ held at the Wade Hotel.
Recently the family made its biggest ever donation to ensure that disability access, including a wheelchair accessible lift, could be installed as part of the club’s renovations.
The lift cost around $55,000. A total of $30,000 came from the Hibiscus & Bays Local Board’s facilities grants fund, there was a Lotto grant, and the remainder was picked up by the Hick family.
Trevor’s son Bob says that the lift will make a huge difference, as some older club members need help getting up and down the stairs and occasionally they have even been carried.
“I guess it will be a much easier way to get supplies, including the beer, up to the bar!” Bob says.
A function for members and invited guests will be held to mark the ‘grand opening’ of the lift on Saturday, November 23.
