At an early age, Wally became a child prodigy, playing classical music on the grand piano. He went on to complete a teaching degree at the conservatory of music in Sydney.  He led cabaret bands on the Mid North Coast until he moved to the Sunshine Coast 12 years ago.

Wally finished his  teaching degree in Sydney and was posted to a one-teacher school in Jackadgery near Grafton.  He played rugby league with the Grafton first grade side in the late 1940's and was scouted by the mighty South Sydney Rabbitohs, who arranged a teaching transfer to Sydney where Wally was part of the 1950 premiership winning squad coached by Jack Rayner and included players such as immortal Clive Churchill.

A bad knee injury forced him into early retirement from playing rugby league, so he returned to Taree and became a referee for Group 3. He went on to referee city-country matches at the Sydney cricket ground, and matches between the touring British rugby league side and the Newcastle Coalfield and Northern Rivers Rep sides.

In 1953, he married Fae, a local Taree girl, and they moved to Wauchope to build a house and start a family. He had a shoe store in Cameron Street, then returned to teaching, at the newly-opened Port Macquarie High school in the early 1960s.

Wally was deeply involved in the Hastings and Manning communities, and was foundation president and first life member of Wauchope Bonny Hills Surf Life Saving Club, president of Rotary, president of Wauchope Golf Club and veterans, coach and selector for Wauchope Blues Rugby League club.

“He was loved and respected and made a positive difference in people’s lives.  Well lived, Dad,” said his son, Bruce.

A celebration of Wally Sneddon's life will be held at the Wauchope Bonny Hills Surf Club on Ocean Drive on Saturday February 24 from 1pm. All welcome.