Run for the line

1937 - 2019

My old mate Warren ‘Wozza’ Molloy rode his last wave earlier this year. Aged 82, the man was a local legend in the surf club community, a man of high morals, a policeman of the highest honour, steadfast to the cause, and a tough nut to ruffle in the most trying of circumstances. I caught up with Helen, his wife, to see how she’s getting on and reflect on Wozza’s achievements. We laughed a bit about her many Gold Medal surf titles - a little joke between Wozza and herself, and generally reflected on a man that stood the test of time.

Wozza, was a legend in Surfboats and many walks of life.

He exposed corruption in the Police Force, Judicial and Political System in the 1970/1980’s. He almost single handedly ‘brought down’ crime boss Abe Saffron and exposed both Police Commissioner Allen and Judge Murphy.

Wozza grew up in Sydney joining the Police Force and Garie Surf Club, where he became Boat captain and sweep at age of 19 in 1956. He transferred to Port Macquarie and made an instant impact with junior boat crews winning numerous titles. His crew included Don McManus of Bilgola / North Narrabeen fame.

He was transferred to a one-man Police Station at Nymboida in 1960, where he rode horses and rounded up “Bush Rangers”.

Wozza joined Yamba Surf Life Saving Club for stint and then moved to Woolgoolga Surf Life Savers Club for a couple of successful years.

After a while the Police Force transferred Wozza back to Sydney and stationed him at Manly Police Station, under the command of the most feared and revered Australian Policeman, Francis Michael “Bumper” Farrell. Bumper taught him to wrap the handcuffs around his knuckles for the constant ‘blues’ they had with the bikey gangs, who terrorised Manly at the time.

Wozza joined Queenscliff Surf Life Saving Club in 1967, bringing with him, country boys Dave ‘Lofty’ Baldwin, Dave Cooper and Rob ‘Burgo’ Burgess. In 1971 in Perth, Wozza won Queenscliff’s first open surfboat title with his crew of ‘Burgo’, ‘Lofty’, John Poole and boat builder, Roger Ninham.

He captained the Australian Surf Life Saving Team in 1972 to compete in the Australia versus New Zealand competition. In the same year he was awarded the NSW Police Sportsman of the Year.

His ‘Aussie Titles’ did not end there. In 1977 he filled in for an injured sweep for the Warriewood SLSC, competing in Bancurra, Victoria he battled ‘monster’ seas to win his second Australian Open Boat Title. He continued to compete for various clubs and swept North Steyne Surf Life Saving Club to victory in the gruelling 182 kilometre George Bass Marathon in 2004 and 2008. In 2009, Wozza was inducted into the Australian Surf Rowers League (ASRL) Hall of Fame.

At the age of 77 years Wozza swept his last competition in Queenscliff Surf Life Saving Club’s Masters Crew at the World Titles in France in 2014.

His involvement in surfboats continued to the day he passed away. This year, a crew he mentored from Woolgoolga won the Queensland State Titles and dedicated the win to Wozza.

His will to win was rare, he took the greatest pride in guiding young blokes on how to win not only in sport but in life.

He regarded second place as the first loser, and made no excuses. He was decent, he was brave and he was always a gentleman.

Rob ‘Burgo’ Burgess

My fondest memory of Wozza was when I was rowing in the mighty George Bass Marathon, in 2004. I’d heard Wozza was a tough competitor. Our crew was about two kilometres from the finish line and at least one kilometre ahead of any other crew in sight. Everyone was hurting after a gruelling 30km row. Victory was in sight. But Wozza kept shouting at us, “Row harder, row harder, they’re catching us.” Rowing stroke and in control of rate, I called out, “Ease up Wozza - we’re miles in front.” We raced to the beach, Wozza surging us on “Row to the line.”

As I stood catching my breath, the 68 year old Wozza fronted me and said, “Listen here boy, if I was five years younger I would have climbed down the boat and punched you square in the nose for back chatting me like that.”

I loved him like a Dad from that day on. He was a legend, commanded respect and deserved it for everything he gave.

John Vickery