Harry Maitland Hay (1893–1952)
Harry Maitland Hay, the swimming coach, died early yesterday at St. Ronan's Hospital, Manly. He was 59.
He had been admitted to the hospital after a heart attack on Thursday.
Hay represented Australia as a swimmer at the 1920 Olympic Games in Antwerp, and attended every subsequent Olympic Games at his own expense.
He had arranged to leave on May 2 to attend this year's Games at Helsinki, Finland where he intended to coach the Australian 110 yards champion, Rex Aubrey.
Hay had offered to look after other Australian Games swimmers.
The swimming team manager, S. B. Grange, said last night that this offer would have been accepted.
Grange, who is honorary secretary of the N.S.W. Amateur Swimming Association, said last night. "Mr. Hay was received overseas as a world figure—in fact, he was the best-known coach in any sport."
The Manly swimmer Andrew ("Boy") Charlton, first brought Hay prominence as a coach.
Under Hay's tuition, Charlton represented Australia at the 1924, 1928, and 1932 Olympic Games. He broke record after record.
Since then Hay had groomed many of Australia's best swimmers, including Noel Ryan, Bill Kendall, Robin Biddulph, Warren Boyd, Garrick Agnew, and Rex Aubrey.
Agnew and Aubrey have both been selected for this year's Olympic Games.
Hay is survived by Mrs. Hay.
The funeral to-day will leave St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Manly, for Northern Suburbs Crematorium, after a service starting at 2 p.m.
Original publication
Additional Resources and Scholarship
- coached the Australian Olympic swimming team, Western Mail (Perth), 22 November 1928, p 26
- profile, West Australian, 29 May 1934, p 10
- is sued for damages for injuries resulting from an accident, Sydney Morning Herald, 3 August 1939, p 10
- the case is dismissed, Sydney Morning Herald, 2 March 1940, p 18
- his ashes are scattered over the surf at Manly Beach, Canberra Times, 12 May 1952, p 6
- probate, Sydney Morning Herald, 18 October 1952, p 6
Related Entries in NCB Sites
- Charlton, Andrew Murray (coached)
Citation details
'Hay, Harry Maitland (1893–1952)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/hay-harry-maitland-14390/text25463, accessed 14 March 2025.
Life Summary [details]
Birth
Death
30 March,
1952
(aged ~ 59)
Manly, Sydney,
New South Wales,
Australia
Cause of Death
Religious Influence
Includes the religion in which subjects were raised, have chosen themselves, attendance at religious schools and/or religious funeral rites; Atheism and Agnosticism have been included.