George Terrence NICOLL

AKA Terry NICOLL

* Nickname: ?

Late of Kiama, NSW

Relations in ‘the job’:

“possible” relation in ‘the job‘: ?

NSW Police Training Centre – Redfern – Class # 051

New South Wales Police Force

Uniform # 3534

Regd. # 8777

Rank: Commenced Training at Redfern Police Academy on Monday ? ? ?

Probationary Constable – appointed 8 July 1957 ( aged 23 years, 10 months, 16 days )

Constable – appointed ? ? ?

Constable 1st Class – appointed 24 August 1963

Detective – appointed ? ? ? ( NO )

Senior Constable – appointed 1 July 1968

Leading Senior Constable – appointed ? ? ? ( N/A )

Sergeant 3rd Class – appointed 21 June 1976

Sergeant 2nd Class – appointed 26 May 1983

Sergeant 1st Class – appointed 31 December 1985

Final Rank: = Senior Sergeant

Stations: Mounted Unit, Eastern Suburbs Stations?, Redfern Police Training Centre ( Lecturer ), ?, Central Police Station – Retirement

Time employed ( Paid ) with NSW Police: From: ? ? c1957? to 22 August 1988 = 31 years, ? months, ? days Service

Service ( From Training Date ) period: From ? ? c1957? to 22 August 1988 = 31 years, ? months, ? days Service

Retirement / Leaving age: = 55 years, 0 months, 0 days

Time in Retirement from Police: 36 years, 3 months, 8 days

Awards: No Find on the Australian Honours system

Born: Tuesday 22 August 1933

Died on: Sunday 8 December 2024

Age: 91 years, 3 months, 17 days

Organ Donor: Y / N / ?

Cause: ?

Event location: ?

Event / Diagnosis date: ?

Funeral date: Thursday 19 December 2024 @ 2pm

Funeral location: H. Parsons Funeral Home, 125 Manning St, Kiama, NSW

Lake Illawarra Police District will provide an Official Police Guard of Honour

LIVE STREAM can be found HERE

Wake location: ???

Wake date: ???

Funeral Parlour: H. Parsons Funerals, 125 Manning St, Kiama, NSW

Buried at: ?

Grave Location: Section: Row: ? Plot: ?

Grave GPS: ?, ?

Memorial / Plaque / Monument located at: ?

Dedication date of Memorial / Plaque / Monument: Nil – at this time ( December 2024 )

TERRY is NOT mentioned on the Police Wall of Remembrance * NOT JOB RELATED

FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED ABOUT THIS PERSON, THEIR LIFE, THEIR CAREER AND THEIR DEATH.

PLEASE SEND PHOTOS AND INFORMATION TO Cal

May they forever Rest In Peace

https://www.facebook.com/groups/AustralianPolice.com.au/

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Australian Police YouTube Channel

Funeral Announcement

14 December 2024

Terry Nicoll

Passed away suddenly on Monday, 9th December 2024. Beloved partner of Gloria. Terry will be sadly missed by his loving family and many dear friends.

Aged 91 Years

Forever in our Hearts

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Terry’s funeral service to be held at H.Parsons Funeral Home, 125 Manning Street, Kiama on Thursday, 19th December 2024 at 2:00 pm.

Terry Nicoll

Terry Nicoll – Funeral Announcement

Kiama mourns the loss of local legend and olympian, Terry Nicoll

11 December 2024, 1:49 PM

Terry Nicoll is onto his next glory, after a lifetime of Olympic triumphs and community service.

Kiama is mourning the passing of one of its most prominent locals, Terry Nicoll, who died on Tuesday 10 December at the age of 90. Terry was a well known member of the community, a decorated athlete, and a man of unwavering dedication and spirit.

Born and raised in outback NSW, Terry’s journey to Olympic glory began amidst the rugged landscape of sheep and cattle stations, where he developed exceptional horsemanship. His natural affinity for riding became the foundation for his success in the modern pentathlon, a challenging event combining fencing, swimming, show jumping, shooting, and running.

Terry’s Olympic story began when Australian swimming coach Forbes Carlisle noticed his potential and encouraged him to train for the Melbourne 1956 Olympics. After refining his skills in fencing and pistol shooting, Terry excelled at the Pre-Olympic Pentathlon trials, earning a coveted spot on the Australian team.

Though his Olympic career was brief, Terry went on to compete in World Championships in Mexico City and Leipzig, continuing to make his mark on the international stage.

After retiring from competitive sport, Terry dedicated himself to public service, joining the NSW Police Force in 1957. Over two decades, he served with distinction – mentoring and inspiring others. He also represented NSW in Police and Emergency Services games, adding to his collection of accolades.

In his later years, Terry and his wife Gloria settled here in Kiama, where he became an integral part of the community. Active in the Kiama Men’s Probus Club and Probus Choir, Terry remained a vibrant and inspiring presence.

Terry Nicoll’s life was a testament to perseverance, discipline, and community spirit. His legacy will endure in Kiama and beyond, inspiring future generations to reach for their dreams. He is survived by his wife Gloria and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Kiama mourns the loss of local legend and olympian, Terry Nicoll

Sergeants Course 1 of 1979 - Class 2 - Feb - March 1979Sergeant's Course class 2 of 1979. Back Row - Darryl Somerville, Len De Audney, Bob Parry, Russell Reid, Ron Bloxham, Peter Woodman, Bob Raymond, Ian Bowyer-Smyth. Middle Row - John Lappan, Des Trute, Cecil Shears, Harry Delaforce, Warren Taylor, Jack Rumley, Don Sykes, Thomas Powick. Front Row - Mervyn Masterton, Terry Nicholl (Instructor), John Symons (Instructor), Bruce Gould (Director), Bryan Binns (Instructor), Peter Moffatt (Instructor), Graham Frazer, Michael Milham. — Sergeants Course 1 of 1979 – Class 2 – Feb – March 1979
Sergeant’s Course class 2 of 1979.
Back Row –
Darryl Somerville, Len De Audney, Bob Parry, Russell Reid, Ron Bloxham, Peter Woodman, Bob Raymond, Ian Bowyer-Smyth.
Middle Row –
John Lappan, Des Trute, Cecil Shears, Harry Delaforce, Warren Taylor, Jack Rumley, Don Sykes, Thomas Powick.
Front Row –
Mervyn Masterton, Terry Nicoll (Instructor), John Symons (Instructor), Bruce Gould (Director), Bryan Binns (Instructor), Peter Moffatt (Instructor), Graham Frazer, Michael Milham.

PISTOL INSTRUCTION
In September, 1960, the Police Association made representations to the Police Department that police undergo pistol practice at least once a year. In country districts at the time, pistol practice and instruction was carried out by superintendents’ drivers during station tours. Arrangements were now underway to train some police as pistol instructors for police in the metropolitan area and an order was placed with the Government Printer for 30,000 targets.

Approximately 70,000 rounds of .32 calibre ammunition were needed for 1960-1961 pistol practice. Expenditure for metropolitan pistol practice was expected to be about 900 pounds. This was based on the assumption that each member would fire 10 rounds from a .22 calibre target pistol and 10 rounds from his service pistol.

Instruction classes were to last two hours. The lessons were to cover firearms safety, pistol practice and pistol maintenance. Wynyard Railway pistol range was available to city police on request to the Commissioner of Railways, while police in outer divisions would be able to practice at army establishments and other authorised ranges. \Trainee Police at the Police Training
Centre received pistol practice using target pistols and their service revolvers, with additional practice being undertaken during their refresher course.

Some police who acted as pistol instructors in the late 1950s and early 1960s were,

Constable D.G. McInnes, 7 Division, pistol instructor to police in outer metropolitan police divisions in December, 1954 and January, 1955.

Constable W. Stanford, qualified as a pistol instructor for Parkes District after attending an armoury course from the 2nd to 6th July, 1962.

Constable R.G. Brown, qualified as a pistol instructor for the North Eastern District between 1st and 5th July, 1963.

Constable R. Gilmour, became a pistol instructor for the Dubbo District, after completing a course at the armoury from the 1st July, until the 5th July, 1963.

Constable G.T. Spurr, Broken Hill, attended a course from the 7 June, 1965, and qualified as a pistol instructor for Broken Hill Sub-District.

Constable 1Class Nicoll was required to attend a 5 day pistol instructors course late in June, 1965. Constable Nicoll qualified as a pistol instructor and was required to act as an assistant pistol instructor during metropolitan pistol practice in July, 1965.

Extract from pages 272 & 273 of NSW Police Heritage story.

Constables Nicoll and Michelson, applied for two Department target pistols in 1963. One was a .22 calibre Smith & Wesson K22 revolver and the other was a .22 calibre Hammerli self loading pistol. These pistols were required by Nicoll and Michelson for use in the Modern Pentathlon Championships being held in Melbourne in August, 1963.

In 1964, the two constables again borrowed pistols from the Police Department for use in the championships being held in March of that year.

Another accomplished target pistol shooter was Detective Sergeant 2Class Merchant, of the Scientific Bureau who was captain of the Police team selected to compete in the Dunlop Shield Police Pistol competition.

The competition was held in conjunction with the Queensland Police Centenary in 1964.

The competition was shot over 25 metres and 50 metres, with centre fire and rim fire pistols.

Merchant’s team members used their own .32 calibre service pistols as well as two .22 calibre Ruger self loading pistols and two .38 calibre revolvers.

Target pistol matches were also held between the Police Department and the Commonwealth Bank.

A competition between the two organisations was held on the 2nd May, 1961, at Sydney Pistol Club, La Perouse.

Sydney Pistol Club was established in 1953.

The Commonwealth Bank management approved the donation of a trophy for annual competition between the Police and the Commonwealth Bank.

The pistol competition was seen to be beneficial in providing pistol training for bank employees while at the same time providing a social activity within the bank. There had also been an accident where an employee of another bank was shot because of inadequate pistol training and the pistol match between the Commonwealth Bank and the Police Department was considered a way to improve firearms safety within the banks.

In 1962, another match took place between the Commonwealth Bank and the Police Department at Sydney Pistol Club. Members of the Police team were, Constable 1Class G. Green of 6 Division, Sergeant 3rd class A. Hall of Police Training Centre, Sergeant 3rd Class N. Merchant from the CIB, Sergeant 3rd Class R. Sutherland of the Fingerprint Branch, Sergeant 2nd Class J. W. Christie of the Police Armoury, and a team member named Mills, whose rank at the time is unknown me.

The Commonwealth Bank team consisted of Messrs Roberts, Lee, Harvey, Whiting, Worthington and Doolan. Sergeant Major N. Groth, Eastern Command Provost Corps, was appointed Range Master for the match.

The Police team won the competition and the Managing Director of the bank, Mr. E.B. Richardson, CBE, presented the trophy to the Commissioner of Police, N.T.W. Allan, who accepted the trophy on behalf of the police team. The match was shot over 15 yards with .32 calibre service pistols and consisted of slow fire and rapid fire phases with 10 rounds fired in each phase. During the rapid fire phase of the event, the targets turned away and then turned back to face the shooter for three seconds, similar to the duelling phase in what became the centre fire match in pistol clubs.

Extract from pages 275 & 276 of NSW Police Heritage story.

How Tarzan, Strickland and Cuthbert made sure Terry Nicoll competed at Melbourne 1956

When Melbourne 1956 Olympic modern pentathlete Terry Nicoll was a child in the late 1930s, his father took him to a theatre in Sydney to watch the newsreels. The show included a film about the Berlin Olympics and at the end of it, the greatest athlete in the world Jesse Owens spoke directly into a young Australian boy’s heart.

“I still remember today, that his face came on the screen, and covered the whole screen, and he just simply said: “You win a race, they put a gold medal around your neck, you become the Olympic champion”. That went through me like a knife in my chest, and from then on all I wanted to be was an Olympian,’’ Terry recalled, more than 80 years later.

George Terence ‘Terry’ Nicoll was born and bred in Randwick, Sydney, the eldest of 11 children, and named after his father George, an avid swimmer and captain of the Coogee and Clovelly Surf Clubs.

Terry inherited the competitor’s spirit and recalls racing his brothers and sisters around the block for bragging rights from an early age. He played cricket and rugby at Waverley College, to no great acclaim, but left at 15 to help support his family.

He found work out in north-western NSW, as a stockman on properties around Moree, Mungindi and Collarenebri. In his spare time, he tried his hand on the local rodeo circuit as a bull and bronc rider.

Back in Sydney in his late teens, he joined the Bronte Surf Life Saving Club and began competing there. To improve his swimming, he turned to 1936 Olympian Evelyn Whillier, then coaching at Bronte Baths.

Fellow swimming coach Forbes Carlile turned up one day, having become the first Australian to compete in the Modern Pentathlon at the Helsinki 1952 Olympics. He had heard that young Terry was “a bit of a horseman’’ and promptly recruited him to train for the Modern Pentathlon for the next Olympics in Melbourne.

“He told me about all the events of the modern pentathlon and said that one of them was fencing. I asked him how many chain of fence you had to put up, and he said “Not that kind of fencing – it’s sword-fighting”,’’ Terry recalled.

Another 1952 Olympian John Gibson proceeded to teach Nicoll the art of fencing, equestrian instructor Diana Gould converted him from a rodeo rider into a showjumper, while local distance star Al Lawrence (who won the bronze medal in the 10,000m at the 1956 Olympics) assisted him to develop his running.

He worked nights as a taxi driver to leave the days free for his training.

“Most blokes found the riding the hardest, but for me it was the running,’’ Terry recalled.

Despite taking up Modern Pentathlon little more than three years before the Melbourne Olympics, Terry performed well at the Olympic trials and was one of three men selected to compete at the Games, joining Neville Sayers and Sven Coomer.

However, his long-held dream of becoming an Olympian was almost shattered, along with his nose, when he had a serious horse-riding accident while training in Melbourne just six weeks before the Games.

“The horse shied at a gate post and I came off, and then he kicked me in the face and cut my nose completely in half,’’ Terry said, adding that his helmet had saved him from a worse injury. “I woke up in hospital.’’

He needed surgery to repair his nose and a plaster cast was placed across his face to aid the healing process.

After a few of days he was released from hospital back to the Olympic village and gently began to ease himself back into training.

However, he said it was only with the assistance of Tarzan, and Australia’s wonder women Shirley Strickland (later de la Hunty) and Betty Cuthbert, that he was able to make it to the starting line for the competition.

Terry recalls sitting on the edge of the Olympic pool trying to figure out how he could swim with the plaster on his face, when “an enormous man in a red tracksuit” came up to him and asked if he was that pentathlete and whether he still intended to compete at the Games.

“I told him that I would compete if I could find a way to swim, and he said he was working with the US team and offered to help me,’’ Terry said. “We got in and he helped me work out a way to swim with my head out of the water.’’

It was only when they emerged from the pool that Terry asked for the kind stranger’s name and discovered that he was being coached by the 1924 and 1928 Olympic 100m freestyle champion Johnny Weissmuller, then a Hollywood star after playing Tarzan in a series of popular movies.

Running was also difficult as he could not breathe through his nose, but he said Shirley knocked at his door in the village at 6am every morning to take him for a walk or run, and when she was unable to attend, Betty came with him instead.

By the time the Games began Terry felt he was back in “pretty good shape”. He vividly recalls marching in the Opening Ceremony, before the Duke of Edinburgh, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The Australian team officials had schooled the athletes to tip their hats and turn their eyes right to acknowledge the duke when they marched past him, but with almost 300 athletes in the team, they decided they needed someone in the team to blow a whistle to signal the salute, and handed the whistle to Terry, placed roughly in the centre of the athlete ranks.

He performed that duty and wishes to this day that he had kept the whistle as a souvenir rather than returning it to the team officials.

When the opening day of competition arrived, he felt ready for the first of his five events – the cross-country riding – but he fell victim to more bad luck when his horse fell after clearing one of the jumps, and then bolted.

The rules required him to remount and complete the course within a timed period, but first he had to chase down his horse and the time ran out before he could finish.

That meant he received no points for the horse-riding event and was effectively eliminated from contention, but he continued through the next four days to complete the other four disciplines, finishing second in the fencing and in the top five in the Swimming, for an overall placing of 35th. His persistence also allowed the Australian Equestrian team to finish 8th overall.

Despite his bad luck, the experience left him “mad keen to go to the next one in Rome”.

In the meantime, he joined the NSW Police and was assigned to the mounted unit where he spent the next six years. His father died during that period, leaving him with “five brothers to try to keep on the straight and narrow’’ and younger siblings who needed financial support.

However, it was another horse-riding accident that ended his chances of going to a second Olympic Games. While riding in Wilberforce, he jumped his horse through a hedge but it was hiding a steel post, and they both fell and slid across a muddy hillside, the horse landing on him.

His competitive fires still burned and he recovered in time to contest the 1962 World Modern Pentathlon Championships in Mexico City, where he finally had the chance to shine and finished tenth in the world. He also competed at the 1965 World Championships in Leipzig, East Germany, and finished 13th. He regards that as the best performance of his career, competing against the might of the European and Eastern Bloc pentathletes.

“The standard was so high – three of the fellas in that field were sub-four minute milers,’’ he said.

At 32, he retired from Modern Pentathlon but found another competitive outlet in Masters Swimming, winning 19 gold medals over the next 30 years. He was also a regular medallist at the Australian and World Police Games into the 1980s.

He frequently helped out with training squads at the Prince Alfred pool near Central Station in Sydney, which is how he was roped into coaching Dawn Fraser for her Masters comeback in 1986.

Stationed for much of his police career in the eastern suburbs of Sydney, he could often be found swimming from Bronte Beach to Wedding Cake Island and back, and was at one stage inspired by his friend, the Channel King Des Renford, to complete an English Channel crossing with him. They started training but Renford’s failing health prevented them from doing the trip.

Terry retired from the NSW Police at 55, having reached the rank of Acting Inspector, and moved to Kiama on the southern NSW coast. But he could be found on his local golf course even as he approached his 90th birthday, his competitive spirit undaunted after a lifetime of sporting achievement.

Nicole Jeffery

How Tarzan, Strickland and Cuthbert made sure Terry Nicoll competed at Melbourne 1956 | Australian Olympic Committee

Terry Nicoll: A Lifetime of Dedication to Sport and Service

Brooke Pittman

25 March 2024, 1:27 PM

G. Terry NICOLL 02 - NSWPF 8777 - Died 10 December 2024

Terry Nicoll is a friendly Kiama local and former Australian Olympian who competed in the 1956 Melbourne Games. He is renowned for his prowess in the modern pentathlon, Terry’’s athletic journey began amidst the vast landscape of outback NSW, where he honed his riding skills while working on sheep and cattle stations.

The modern pentathlon comprises five disciplines; fencing, swimming, show jumping, shooting and running. Terry had a keen interest in horse riding, picking it up from a very young age and carrying it with him throughout his life which helped his performance in the Olympics as a young adult.

Terry’s path to Olympic glory took an unexpected turn when he was approached by Forbes Carlisle, Australia’s esteemed Olympic swimming coach. Encouraged by Carlisle, Terry took his skills from the bush to the pool, embarking on a rigorous training regime in preparation for the games

Terry’s riding skills were exemplary and he took to improving his fencing and pistol shooting skills with determination. His dedication paid off when he clinched victory in the Pre-Olympic Pentathlon trials, securing his spot on the Australian team for the Melbourne Olympics.

Another chance encounter with legendary swimmer Johnny Weissmuller left Terry with the invaluable advice to modify his swim stroke. Terry’s Olympic journey was not without hurdles, and he was unfortunately unable to participate in the subsequent Olympic games. However, as he continued to excel in the world of pentathlon he was then able to compete in the World Championships in Mexico City and Leipzig.

Beyond his sporting achievements, Terry’s commitment to public service and his community is equally commendable. Terry joined the NSW Police Force in 1957, he served with distinction for over two decades, imparting his knowledge and skills as an instructor and mentor. Representing NSW in various Police and Emergency Services games, Terry’s competitive spirit never waned, earning him accolades nationally and internationally.

Now 90 years old, Terry lives in Kiama with his wife Gloria, where he continues to be active in the community. Terry contributes to organisations like the Kiama Men’s Probus Club and Probus Choir and he and his wife love to play golf.

As a symbol of perseverance and dedication, Terry Nicoll’s legacy extends far beyond the Olympic arena, inspiring future generations to strive for excellence in all endeavours.

Terry Nicoll: A Lifetime of Dedication to Sport and Service

Terry NICOLL 03 - NSWPF 8777 - Died 10 December 2024

Terry Nicoll

Biographical information

Roles	Competed in Olympic Games
Sex	Male
Full name	George Terence “Terry”•Nicoll
Used name	Terry•Nicoll
Born	22 August 1933 in Sydney, New South Wales (AUS)
NOC	Australia

Results

Games	Discipline (Sport) / Event	NOC / Team	Pos	As
1956 Summer Olympics	Modern Pentathlon	AUS		Terry Nicoll
	Individual, Men (Olympic)		35
	Team, Men (Olympic)	Australia	8

https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/34597

Modern Pentathlon Australia

24 October 2024

Several weeks ago, Paris Olympian Genevieve Janse Van Rensburg had the privilege to meet 1956 Modern Pentathlon Olympian Terry Nicoll at a NSW Olympic function.

Gen got to spend some time learning about Terry’s journey to pentathlon and they discussed how much has changed between their respective Games. How incredible to have the oldest, and one of the youngest athletes in the room to be representatives of Modern Pentathlon.

Terry Nicoll with Genevieve Jase Van Rensburg - Olympians

Terry NICOLL with Ben WATERWORTH - Olympians Association NSW Dinner - 2024 — Terry NICOLL with Ben WATERWORTH – Olympians Association NSW Dinner – 2024

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G. Terry NICOLL 06 - NSWPF 8777 - Died 10 December 2024

G. Terry NICOLL 05 - NSWPF 8777 - Died 10 December 2024

Senior Constable Terry Nicoll, former Olympic and world decathlon contestant. June 25, 1970. (Photo by Alan Gilbert Purcell/Fairfax Media via Getty Images).

* Story behind any Nickname:

Nothing further, than what is recorded above, is known about this person at the time of publication and further information and photos would be appreciated.

**********

Cal