Roger Vanderfield

Infobox Rugby biography
name = Roger Vanderfield


birthname = Ian Roger Vanderfield
dateofbirth = 1928
placeofbirth =
dateofdeath = 25 September 2008 (aged 80)
placeofdeath = Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
nickname =
occupation = Medical administrator
school =
university = University of Sydney
spouse = Margaret
children =
relatives =
url =

Ian Roger Vanderfield AO OBE (1928 – 25 September 2008) was an Australian doctor, and a rugby union referee and administrator.

Vanderfield refereed over 1200 games, including 32 test matches and internationals.

In the 1980s, Vanderfield was variously President of the New South Wales Rugby Union and the Australian Rugby Union. [cite web|url=http://www.rugby.com.au/news/rugby_mourns_the_passing_of_dr_roger_vanderfield,121041.html/news/latest/section/21893http://www.rugby.com.au/news/rugby_mourns_the_passing_of_dr_roger_vanderfield,121041.html/news/latest/section/21893|title=Rugby Mourns the Passing of Dr Roger Vanderfield|date=2008-09-29|publisher=Australian Rugby Union|accessdate=2008-09-29]

As chairman of the International Rugby Board Vanderfield was instrumental in establishing the first Rugby World Cup. The Australia and New Zealand Rugby Unions had launched a joint proposal to introduce a World Cup. There was reluctance from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Vanderfield flew to South Africa at his own expense and convinced SARU not to vote against the proposal. South Africa abstained and other unions came on board. Eventually the proposal was adopted by eight votes to six. [cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/obituaries/high-achiever-on-and-off-the-field/2008/10/01/1222651165881.html|title=High achiever on and off the field|last=Stephens|first=Tony|date=2008-10-02|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|accessdate=2008-10-03]

A doctor by profession, Vanderfield graduated from the University of Sydney in 1952 and was a member of the Faculty of Medicine from 1973 to 1991. [cite web|url=http://www.usyd.edu.au/alumni/about/profiles/1950s.shtml|title=Roger Vanderfield OBE AO |date=2006-12-16|publisher=University of Sydney|accessdate=2008-09-29] He was the Chief Medical Superintendent of Northern Sydney Area Health Service.cite web|url=http://www.nscchealth.nsw.gov.au/media/02oct022007.shtml|title=Farewell to “Vindin House” at Royal North Shore Hospital|last=Saker|first=Emily|date=2007-10-02|publisher=Northern Sydney Central Coast Health |accessdate=2008-09-29]

Vanderfield co-wrote the centenary history of Sydney's Royal North Shore Hospital. [cite book|last=Sherington|first=Geoffrey|coauthors=Vanderfield, Dr Roger|title=A Century of Caring — the Royal North Shore Hospital 1888–1988|publisher=Horwitz Grahame |location=Sydney|date=1988|isbn=072552104X] He was also the hospital's Honorary Archivist.

Honours

Vanderfield was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2006 for service to the community through the delivery of health care services at Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, and to Rugby Union football. [cite web|url=http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=1131326&search_type=quick&showInd=true|title=Ian Roger Vanderfield AO|date=2006-01-26|work=It's An Honour|publisher=Australian Government|accessdate=2008-09-29]

He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 1976 New Year Honours, " [f] or services to medicine and sport". [LondonGazette|issue=46777|startpage=21|date=30 December 1975|accessdate=2008-09-29] [cite web|url=http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=1108462&search_type=quick&showInd=true|title=Ian Roger Vanderfield OBE|date=1976-01-01|work=It's An Honour|publisher=Australian Government|accessdate=2008-09-29]

Vanderfield was elected a life member of numerous Rugby bodies.

The Vanderfield Building at Royal North Shore Hospital is named after him.cite news|url=http://www.nswrugby.com.au/MediaExtranet/News/2008/September/NSWRugbymournsthepassingofseniorlifememberDrRogerVanderfieldOBE,AO.aspx|title=NSW Rugby mourns the passing of Dr Roger Vanderfield OBE, AO|date=2008-09-28
publisher=New South Wales Rugby Union|accessdate=2008-09-29]

References

Obituary

* [http://www.smh.com.au/news/obituaries/high-achiever-on-and-off-the-field/2008/10/01/1222651165881.html The Sydney Morning Herald]