Maxwell James Wiechman was born in Sydney and attended Concord PS in the thirties.  This is where his love of sport began.  Success in PSSA Rugby League and Athletics led him to a very committed participation in school sport which was reinforced during his high school days at Homebush Junior High School and then at Fort St Boys High School.  In his high school days, Max competed for his schools in athletics, swimming, rugby league, rugby union, water polo and cricket.  This led to his decision to follow a career in Physical Education.

Max entered Sydney Teachers College in 1945 and graduated in 1947.

In 1948 Max began his teaching career at Belmore Junior Technical High School.  Here he began his involvement with coaching and officiating at carnivals.

In 1951 Max moved to Young High School for a year.

Max returned to Sydney in 1952 where he had an eight year stint in junior techs – Darlinghurst, Glebe, Croydon Park, Crows Nest and Leichhardt.

In 1960 and 1961 Max was at Ibrox Park High.

In 1962 Max Wiechman was appointed to Macquarie Boys High School where he continued his involvement with sport on all levels.

In 1967 Max was appointed to Seven Hills High School where he was awarded List 2 in 1972 and the position of Special Master in 1973.

In 1981 Max moved to Blacktown Boys High School and retired from teaching in 1986.

Max Wiechman’s passion was sport.  He dedicated his life to school sport and public education.  Max retired from a teaching career over twenty years ago and since then has continued to be involved with school sport at a number of levels. Max was a very proud life-member of his cherished Sydney West Region and New South Wales Combined High Schools.  These are the two of the most revered honours in public school sport for educators.

Max took his own sporting efforts seriously and loved to win.  For those in his charge he asked only that they play to the best of their ability.  His passion and enthusiasm often meant that they did.

In the 1950s Max served on the Rugby League and Athletics sub committees at state level.  In 1958 Max coached the NSWCHS Rugby league team on its undefeated tour of Queensland (the first team to go through without a loss).

During his career Max was vice-president and president of various school sport zones.  Max was the inaugural President of the Metropolitan West SSSA and remained in this role for four years.

Max introduced the concept of bringing the Metropolitan and Country Rugby League teams together in a camp at Narrabeen for the selection of the NSWCHS team and played a part in the introduction of a 15yrs Knock Out Basketball competition for boys.  In 1961 Max acted as manager of the NSWCHS Basketball team when they toured Victoria.

In 1967, Max was appointed Field Games Manager at the NSWCHS Athletics Championships.  He held this position until 1996, ten years after his retirement.  During his years in Athletics, Max was one of the managers of the NSWCHS teams – three times in Sydney, twice in Brisbane and once in Adelaide.  Max was the Athletic Convener for Sydney West Region from 1973 to 1986.

Max attended every Sydney West Athletics, Cross Country and Swimming carnival that he physically could since he first became involved as one of the founding members of the region.  He announced on the PA on several occasions entertaining the spectators with little side comments that came through, when once again he, had forgotten to switch off the public address system.  He also kept his own results which saved the day early in the piece when the “you beaut computer system” let Sydney West down.  At every State Athletics Carnival a shout from trackside up into the stands to the Carnival Managers of Sydney West never failed to get their undivided attention and they would hurry down to be told the following  “Why didn’t we have any runners in that race”??  “These relay changes are terrible”!!  “What are you going to do about it”?  Questions that couldn’t always be answered to Max’s liking.  Max always knew where Sydney West was placed and how many events they needed to win to take out the carnival.

After his retirement Max was the NSWCHS representative at all the State carnivals hosted by Sydney West.  He cheered on the competitors, had words of encouragement for all the different sports, handed out medals, lent a hand where needed and he was always happy to give the coaches, umpires and selectors a few pointers on how they could improve their performances.

Max Wiechman also travelled all over the state representing NSWCHS to be part of his favourites at State Championships – Softball, Netball, Rugby League, Rugby Union, Athletics and Swimming were just some of the sports he couldn’t bear to miss. At the official dinners he entertained and involved all conveners in his “infamous” cryptic quizzes.  They baffled most people most of the time because they were just so cryptic!  One of his terms at one such carnival was “bashed bullion” which was in reference to his favourite region Sydney West who plays in the black, blue and gold colours. That was the easiest clue by a long country mile. He always included every convener and every region.

One of Max’s colleagues tells us of another memory of Max as an enthusiastic card player. He set up a marathon in one of the games he liked to play. It was a Euchre contest of 100 games. His partner said that he could remember the cards that were played six hands before and made a formidable opponent.  Many a time his partner said Max’s voice would raise many decibels and his words would imply what an idiot or an imbecile his partner was to drop his bundle at such a strategic moment so to speak.  Max and partner went on to win 48 to 44.  Does that mean some games were drawn or after many many months of play the opponents withdrew out of sheer frustration?

In acknowledgement of Max Wiechman’s dedication and contribution to Sydney West School Sport Region dedicated an award three years ago in his honour.  This award was named The Max Wiechman 20 Year Service Award. 

Max gave freely of his time after his retirement to both his cherished Sydney West Region and New South Wales Combined High Schools. Max had humour and dignity and was a well loved and respected human being.  He was a character larger than life.

Maxwell James Wiechman you will be missed at the NSWCHS championships.  They will not be as colourful without you.  NSWCHS acknowledges your generosity of spirit and your contribution to school sport.