Vale to Bruce Olive

The former Newtown Bluebags first grade front-row forward Bruce Olive passed away on the 22nd May 2025 at the age of 94.

Bruce played with Newtown from 1964 to 1967, and he first turned out with the Bluebags when he was 33 years old. He formed a great front-row partnership with Paul Quinn, who was also in the veteran class when he played for Newtown between 1964 and 1967.

Bruce Olive began his rugby league career with the Casino All Blacks club and transferred to the Illawarra Western Suburbs Red Devils in 1958.

He represented NSW Country between 1958 and 1962, including the two famous victories against Sydney Firsts at the SCG in 1961 and 1962.

Bruce also represented NSW on 8 occasions between 1958 and 1962, and he must be considered very unlucky not to have represented Australia in those years.

His NSW Rugby League website tribute reads: “Bruce Olive was considered to be one of the best front-rowers of his generation, and he was a pioneer and inspiration for First Nations players in the years that followed.”

He played 69 first grade games for Newtown, and he was a genuine crowd favourite in his days at Henson Park.

Bruce Olive received a fitting farewell at Henson Park at the recent Newtown versus Western Suburbs NSW Cup match, and a large contingent of his family members were in attendance to say goodbye to a grand rugby league identity.

The Newtown Rugby League Football Club extends sincere condolences to Bruce Olive’s family members and his many friends.