Joe Henstock
On the 15 January a deep sadness passed over the entire Hockey ACT community as we learned of 
Joe’s passing. Joe was more than a volunteer or administrator to our association. He was a friend, a 
mentor, he was the welcoming smile, the positive voice and the listening ear. Yes, Joe (never 
Graham) was a Life Member of Tuggeranong Vikings, Hockey ACT and Hockey Australia but to the 
majority of his hockey family he was Papa Joe.
Joe’s contribution to hockey in the ACT commenced in 1990 when Joan was playing for Ainslie and 
Joe quickly became involved when he joined the Indoor Committee in 1991.
In 1994 Joan and Joe moved to Tuggeranong Vikings Women’s Hockey Club, a club he would go on to 
hold the positions of President, Vice President, Women’s Registrar and Vice President of Operations,
coaching in both junior and senior grades as well as a tireless contributor to the club as an umpire. In 
recent times Joe spent two years searching club records to formalize recognition of players support 
and commitment to the club, resulting in the establishment of a roll of honour in 2022. Joe would 
manage the CL1 Women’s side for many years with no greater sight possible than Joe’s proud smile 
while hooking those Vikings horns high after a GF success. After all of course it had been Joe that 
had pushed for Tuggeranong to have a side in the first grade competition and remained fiercely loyal 
to that side resulting in the club eventually winning club championship in 2012, followed by a 
maiden first grade premiership in 2015. In recognition of his enormous and tireless stewardship and 
contribution to the club, Joe was awarded Life Membership of Tuggeranong Vikings Hockey Club.
Joe received Life Membership of Hockey ACT in 1999 for his significant contribution to the 
association. That contribution would continue right through until the time of his passing Joe would 
remain an active member of the Senior Competitions, Indoor Competitions and Umpiring & 
Technical Committee. 
Joe first became a member of the Indoor Committee in 1991. He would serve on that committee for 
30 years, 16 of which as chair.
Joe joined the Umpiring and Technical Committee in 1994 and would serve on that committee for 26 
seasons including 5 years as the chair.
Joe was a member of the women’s committee and following the merger the senior competitions 
committee where he would contribute for 25 seasons.
Joe also served the community with time on the Junior Competition, High Performance and the ACT 
Coaching and Development Committee’s as well as being a Director on the HACT Board.
In his spare time Joe also has coached Women’s Masters sides at National Championships and 
managed ACT rep sides for two decades including 2 years as the Canberra Lakers manager.
Joe was also an umpire in the Hockey ACT community for 28 seasons across all grades of the 
competitions and at events such as the June Long Weekend Carnival, Quikstixs and junior indoor 
events.
In 2022, Joe would receive a long overdue accolade when he was awarded with Life Membership of 
Hockey Australia. Over two decades Joe represented the ACT at National and International 
Tournaments as an umpire, Tournament Director, Technical Officer, Judge, Technical Director,
served as a member of the Australian Indoor Commission and it was Joe who created and drove the 
event that has since grown into the U13 National Indoor Championships.
For his service to Hockey along with Life Membership of Hockey Australia, Hockey ACT and 
Tuggeranong Vikings Hockey Club, in 2000 Joe would receive the Australian Sports Medal for his 
contribution to hockey in the ACT, be awarded ACT Volunteer of the Year in 2014, awarded Hockey 
ACT Administrator of the Year 5 times and in 2017 the ACT Women’s Masters renamed their indoor 
tournament the Henstock Indoor Carnival in recognition of Joe’s contribution.
Despite this long list of achievements and awards it can not be overlooked that Joe’s legacy will 
remain for the person that Joe was. As news spread of Joe’s passing HACT received calls and emails
from all corners of the country to offer their condolences on the passing of a remarkable man. The 
U18’s Indoor National Championships would stop to honour the person and his contribution, and
black arm bands were worn and continue to be worn out of respect for the person.
News of Joe’s passing bought a flood of response from the Hockey ACT community. Words like 
honourable, dedicated, caring, mentor, friendly, amazing, gentleman, selfless, kind, generous, 
tireless flowed from a community with nothing but love for the person. People spoke of the hole 
that Joe’s absence would leave and questioned whether the hockey centre’s would ever be the same 
without him there