General News
16 September, 2025
GOOD GUYS DON’T ALWAYS FINISH LAST — Nev Olver: A wonderful human being, with Brian Lennen
Amidst the grand final season Maryborough's Brian Lennen reflects on a former star player and community member.
There is something about left-handers, “molly dukers” as they are called.
The same applies to left-footers.
Nev Olver fitted both. As a footballer he always wrong-footed his opponents and seemed to have all the time in the world.
At the batting crease he was calm and stylish against the most ferocious bowling.
Nev’s poise and style on the sporting fields transferred into his personality.
He was simply “a lovely human being”.
Whether he was dominating on the grandstand wing or the lake side, he brought great pleasure to fanatical Magpie supporters.
Despite being small in stature, he was a great mark. His acrobatic skills brought gasps from the supporters of all teams.
All his achievements were performed while he had on-going issues with his health.
In his indomitable fashion he overcame all the health related issues to be a star.
In the 1964-65 season he made 220, the second highest score ever in the Maryborough District Cricket Association.
Fellow star team mate Rob Bursill relayed how in a particular game against high class fast bowling, Nev was struck in the abdomen. This caused his colostomy bag to be shattered.
He was forced to retire hurt. He returned to the crease later and went on to make a century.
At the age of 32, Nev had been diagnosed with auto immune disease.
He overcame continuous surgeries and treatments to perform at the top level.
Nev lost his mother when he was 15-years-old — a tragic blow for a young fellow, but made him more determined to succeed.
Nev and his wife, Alma, were active citizens.
Alma was a compassionate nurse and a leader in her profession (she involved herself in training young nurses).
Once a common sight Nev used to “dink” Alma to work on his bike.
A wonderful part of their lives was the arrival of their children, first Andrea followed by Leigh.
Nev was extremely proud of his family, always making himself available when he was needed.
In racing parlance Nev was bred in the pink being a descendant of the Templetons, and the son of Johnny Olver.
His dad was a prominent sportsman and starred in Maryborough’s 1925 premiership under Artie Woods.
Nev attended PS 404 and the Technical College.
After a variety of jobs he joined the Department of Survey and Mapping where he stayed for the remainder of his working life.
His work took him to jobs all over the state. Loving his work and his colleagues Nev made submissions and strong representations to have an improved career structure.
He was successful and became one of the first Technical Officers.
Unfortunately ill health forced him to retire at 55.
When it came to sporting achievements, Nev was a member of the great Maryborough Country Week team which won the premier division of Provincial in 1963. This was in my opinion one of the city’s finest achievements. In the game Nev hit a couple of sixes at the MCG. A feat few could boast.
In cricket several MDCA premierships with Maryborough Cricket Club followed. He formed a powerful opening partnership with Bruce Hosken.
In football he played in Maryborough’s 1960 premiership in the Ballarat League. He was unanimously noted as best on the ground.
After this he was pursued by several Victorian Football League teams. He remained loyal to his town. At no stage did he seek any reimbursement.
Nev was runner-up in the competition’s best and fairest, the Henderson Medal.
He won Maryborough’s best and fairest and the A.G. Leech award and was named in the team of the century.
To quote John Higgins: “He was a man of faultless sportsmanship and behaviour on the sporting field. Champions like Nev Olver never asked for money to represent their town. All he ever asked for was to share in being honoured by representing his town!”
Nev Olver passed away in June 2017 at the age of 80.
