Earlier today we lost one of the truly great figures of Northern District history. Patron and Life Member Neil Graham Marks OAM passed away aged 85.

Neil (fondly known as Harpo or Marksy) Marks joined the Club as a 12-year-old, picked in Green Shield as a highly-promising left-handed batsman. He made his name at Grade for NDs and in Sheffield Shield for NSW. After two Shield centuries as 20-year-old in 1958 he was poised for Test selection. However, doctors found a hole in his heart and his auspicious career was put on hold while he undertook life-saving rehabilitation in the US and Australia. Later, following a solid recovery, he recommenced cricket, with higher honours pretty much impossible, just happy to be able to play the game he loved. He made a huge impact at NDs through these later years as a batsman and captain, but also a mentor to a generation of players. He later served as a NSW team member and State selector. He wrote a number of books including books on cricket and other sports. He was a seriously funny bloke who had a sensational sense of humour and could tell a story as well as anyone.

For his services to cricket he was awarded NDCC Life Membership in 1980, Life Membership of CricketNSW in 2000, and an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 2019.

In Sydney Grade circles, he was called “Mr Northern District”, such was his contribution to the Club and the respect he earned within the Club and NSW cricket circles.

A memorial service is being planned for Saturday 10th February at Barker College, where Neil was a student and long-term member of the School Council. The Club will advise of times. Players will wear black armbands on matches that day in respect of Harpo – a great Clubman, NDs Patron, a fine player and a character who was truly one of a kind.

The Club extends its deepest sympathies to Kay, Sue, Sandy, Vicki and the extended family, all of whom are NDs family as well.

RIP Harpo 1938-2024