Born in 1926 in Rockhampton to Colin and Martha Moloney, the eldest of four other siblings – John, Billy (deceased), Patrick (deceased) and Peter – David Moloney passed away on November 12 at the age of 90, only two days before his 66th wedding anniversary.
David grew up on Darriveen and Darr River Downs in the Longreach district, where his father Colin, who had come out as a 14-year-old horseboy, managed during the war years for EJ Watt.
He was educated at St Brendan’s in Yeppoon, being among the first intake of students in 1940, and later at Nudgee College.
He jackerooed at Darr River Downs before moving to Yarraman, the first of eight properties in the Longreach and Barcaldine districts purchased by his father under the banner of Moloney Bros.
The racing success of his father soon rubbed off, with David becoming a very good amateur jockey, winning races throughout Queensland’s central west and Rockhampton.
Too many tasty puddings led to a loss in the fight against weight, so David became the youngest member of the unbeaten Longreach polo team from 1946–1950, which boasted names such as Beau Edkins, W Coade, Norman and Archie Moffat and Colin Moloney.
Life was complete when David married Jocelyn Kilroe, Roscaven, Hughenden in 1950.
They had two sons, Chris and Steve, and daughter Vanessa.
Horses still played a major part in David’s life, taking up polocrosse in 1958.
In 1964 the family moved to Dalmore, Longreach, purchased from Ryan Estates.
As a member of the Longreach team, David won the Queensland state titles in 1966 and the Australian championships in 1967, and the best section award there. No western club had ever won the Australian titles before, and none has since.
He was president of the Queensland Polocrosse Association from 1984-1990. He and Arthur Earle were instrumental in establishing a position for a paid administrator for the Queensland Polocrosse Association, replacing many years of voluntary secretaries. It was a first for the sport, and the position still operates today.
Throughout his polocrosse career, David Moloney still managed to train many very good winning race horses, probably the pinnacle being Lionata, a sprint horse which set a new track record at Clifford Park Toowoomba in 1984.
After a heart attack while training in 1988, he and wife Jocelyn retired from Dalmore to Toowoomba, where he became more involved in politics.
He was always quick to expound the rendition of his opinion on the injustices of some regimes to young ears.
He helped lobby for a rural reconstruction bank and did a lot of work with Bankwatch, helping many graziers and farmers find suitable solutions for disputes with their banks.
David is survived by his wife Jocelyn, three children, six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
He will be farewelled at a funeral on Friday, November 18 at the Sacred Heart Church, Wilsonton, at 11am.
This will be followed by a wake at the hall on-site.