HILL, Sidney Desmond

HILL Sidney Desmond 1931 - 2016 Cheers Uncle Siddy Sid Hill passed away a happy man surrounded by his loving family. He had the S.P. on his last race and settled all winning tickets. In his last days, we celebrated his life with more great stories - even some I had not heard before. "I had a great ride, no one could have had a better life". Sid had a honorary PHD in History from the University of the Betting Ring. Sid Hill had done it all - street, pub, show ground, velodrome, card school and, of course, the racetrack to every corner of Victoria, and, don't forget the East Coast of Queensland during the Melbourne winter. "It is impossible to maintain a suntan in Melbourne during winter. Anyhow the only ones left at the track are the needy and the greedy". Uncle Siddy grew up as a junior of an incredible school of Fitzroy Boys. Bookies were made in Fitzroy, not South Yarra. He had outstanding mentors like Peter (The Greek) Athanitis and (Melbourne) Mick Bartley. This was an era where a culture of sharp practice was the name of the game. Over five decades, Sid Hill constantly evolved with Melbourne society and remained to his final days highly competitive and relevant on the turf. After hanging up his bookie bag, he continued to harass the bookies and commission agents on city and country tracks. His popularity and long standing relationships with his clients, staff and turfmen speaks volumes of his generosity, honesty and constancy. Mark, Shari, Nicholas, Alexander, Xavier, Tricia, Amy, Aston, Jasper, Charlotte, Zia, Florence, Carla, Luke, Jessica and Grace send our deepest sympathies to Aunty Marc and cuz's Kara, Andrew, Chris, Danielle, Marina, Harrison, Lachlan, Victor and Jane. We look forward to celebrating Sid's life all together soon.