St George Illawarra are deeply saddened by the passing of former Dragons board member and Illawarra Steelers chairman Peter Newell OAM. He was 71.
Newell joined the Steelers board in 1989, and was chairman for a remarkable 20-year stretch between 1999 and 2019.
A key figure behind the Illawarra Steelers loyalty to the ARL during the Super League War of the mid-90s, Newell played a crucial role in negotiating the merger between St George and Illawarra ahead of the 1999 season.
Newell was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in 2003 for his role in establishing the Dragons' joint venture as well as for his services to the Illawarra community.
Newell's arrival in the Illawarra wouldn't have been made possible if not for the varying roles he played as a journalist, editor and eventual general manager of the Illawarra Mercury between 1970 and 2000.
Newell was also the chairman for ClubsNSW over a 15-year period between 2004 and 2018, and chairman for ClubsAustralia from 2007-18.
Everyone at the Dragons send their sincere condolences to Peter's wife Judy, children Karen, Steven, Robert and Kelly and his 10 grandchildren.
