Legendary Newcastle race-caller John McDermott has been remembered as a "champion bloke" and an outstanding mentor after his death on Monday at age 75 from bone cancer.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
McDermott, who lived at Lambton, was best remembered in recent years as the voice of The Gardens greyhound track.
However, McDermott enjoyed a race-calling career, both on-course and in TV and radio, spanning 56 years across all three codes and tracks on the Central Coast and Hunter Valley, including Newcastle Racecourse.
"Macca", as he was affectionately known, called his first meeting as a 17-year-old at Singleton greyhounds in 1963. He retired in September last year because of illness.
He was also remembered by many in the racing industry as a mentor to other broadcasters, including Gary Harley, Tim Newbold, Greg Radley and Phil Roberts.
Harley, who remained a close friend, said McDermott worked for Australia Post and on a bread cart after leaving school before following his passion into race-calling.
"He started my career and those of Radley, Newbold, Roberts," Harley said.
"All of us went to Macca when we wanted to be a caller and asked would he give us a chance, and he did.
"He was a mentor of racecallers and three of them are still calling on Sky.
"Everybody loved him. He was just a champion bloke and he was an absolute king in the greyhound racing industry.
"They loved him and that was his first love."
McDermott and his wife, Susan, also trained greyhounds. In recent years, Newcastle Greyhounds have called the group 2 Black Top consolation race "The Macca" in honour of the caller.
Newbold, who is now the caller at Wentworth Park, told thedogs.com.au that: "I grew up in Newcastle and John McDermott was one of my idols.
"When I turned 16 I wrote him a letter asking him how I could go about becoming a race-caller.
"Macca rang me immediately and told me to meet him at Newcastle races, where he was to broadcast a thoroughbred meeting.
"I really owe my career to Johnny McDermott.''
"In those days Macca called all three codes and after I met him at Broadmeadow he invited me to join him at various greyhound tracks so I could learn the ropes.
"He was calling greyhound races at places like Cessnock, Singleton, Gosford and Maitland and at Newcastle horses he would let me practice in the booth next door to his broadcasting box.
"It wasn't long before John was letting me call a race or two at each meeting.
"Macca was a gentle soul who was not inclined to get angry but I did see him 'fire up' once and that was when officials of one of the greyhound tracks objected to me calling a race.
"He really went to bat for me and their decision was reversed."
McDermott is survived by his wife, Susan, and their daughter Kylie. Their other daughter, Leanne, died from cancer in 2004.
While you're with us, did you know the Newcastle Herald offers breaking news alerts, daily email newsletters and more? Keep up to date with all the local news - sign up here
IN THE NEWS:
