Maitland Pickers great Don "Bandy" Adams has passed away in Scone.
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A member of the Maitland Hall of Fame and Maitland Pickers Top 20, Adams represented Australia five times, and was a regular for NSW and NSW Country.
Born in Maitland in 1934, he played 191 games for Maitland and was part of the club's 1956-58 premiership hat-trick.
Amazingly during that period Adams was selected from Maitland to represent Australia.
Pickers president Frank Lawler said Adams was a hugely respected and loved member of the Pickers family and would be sadly missed.
However, Lawler said it was also a time to celebrate his wonderful achievements during a great career and great era for Maitland.
"It's just amazing to think that he was selected to play for Australia while still playing for Maitland," he said.
Adams recalled that he was joined by his family and neighbouring farmers waiting to hear if he'd earned selection on the upcoming Kangaroos tour of Europe.
"There was no TV back then," Adams said.
"We gathered around the radio on the farm and listened to the team announcement.
"We had to wait for the sport after the 9 o'clock news and I heard my name.
"Clive Churchill was first at fullback and next was D Adams from Maitland.
"That memory has always stuck with me."
Adams also represented NSW Country Firsts in 1955-56 before gaining selection in the 1956 NSW and Australian teams.
Chosen for the 1956-57 Kangaroo tour, Adams played in one Test each against Great Britain and France and scored 11 tries from 21 appearances on tour.
He played five Tests for his country, scoring five tries and was named man of the match in one against Great Britain at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
He also played nine games for NSW and posted nine tries for his state and two for Country Firsts.
Described as nuggetty and bow legged, Adams was a quick and elusive winger.
In the last of his 21 representative games for Newcastle, they defeated the touring British 23 to 18 in 1962.
Adams also had a successful playing and coaching career in Scone.
His grandsons Adam and Luke both played for the Pickers as did his great nephew Jock Madden, who is now playing with Wests Tigers.
A service for Adams will be held at St Mary's Catholic Church, Scone at 11am on Tuesday, March 10.
