Once again, I’m writing about a true umpiring personality—not only in football with the VFLUA but also as a cricket umpire with the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association. This edition of Where Are They Now features Merv ‘Swerv’ Hindson, who has umpired over 350 First XI cricket matches in the VSDCA.
A talented country football umpire with the VFL, Merv officiated in three VCFL Grand Finals—including one on gravel in Tasmania—and 19 semi-finals during his VFLUA career. However, it’s in the cricketing arena, particularly with the Sub-District Cricket Association, where Merv has truly excelled.
After transferring from the Eastern Cricket Association in the 1996/97 season, Merv’s first game in the Subbies was Ormond vs. Brighton in the Third XI. After just three games, he was promoted to the Seconds. That same season, he was appointed to the Third XI semi-final but declined, opting instead to coach Mount Waverley’s U/14 team to a tight Grand Final victory. The following season (1998/99), he was appointed to his first First XI match: Croydon vs. Noble Park. Over the past 28 seasons, Merv has officiated in 48 finals across all grades and even umpired an interstate game.
Born in Ballarat on 23 September 1949 to Eddy and Jane Hindson, Merv grew up with brothers Graham, Keith, Colin, Bruce (now deceased), and Neil. He attended MacArthur Street Primary School and later Ballarat East High School. There, his passion for cricket grew—he was elected Vice-Captain of the school team and played a notable match against St Patrick’s College, where they were dismissed for 15 on a sticky turf wicket. On weekends, he played in the Sunday Schools U/16 competition on Malthoid pitches that melted in the heat.
At just 11, Merv joined Ballarat North Parish’s U/16 team before switching to Neil Street Methodists. In his first season, he played in a Grand Final and was controversially adjudged LBW for 49. The next year, he helped the team win the premiership and won the club’s bowling average with an impressive 10. Merv considered himself an all-rounder and joined Wendouree Central C.C., starting in the Thirds.
At 14, Merv played football for North Ballarat Juniors’ U/14 team, becoming undefeated premiers in 1963. A serious knee injury in 1965 shifted his focus to umpiring with the Ballarat F.L., where he won Best First Year Umpire.
In 1969, Merv moved to Melbourne to work in Navy Accounts’ Retirement Section. In 1975, he became an authorised representative with AXA Financial Planning, spending 29 years providing financial advice. Wanting to continue umpiring, Merv joined the VFL Reserve Grade. After two years and a final, he was promoted to the VFL Senior list, which unfortunately put cricket on hold. His first senior appointment was in the Mid Gippsland F.L. at Maryvale.
Merv joined the VFLUA cricket team, became its playing secretary, and trained for umpiring by competing in cross-country races. He also played cricket with Vermont, then moved to East Malvern in 1976, playing turf cricket in the Third XI.
An original member of the Man in White committee led by Doug Langham, it’s rumoured that Merv was the “Caulfield track scribe” in early editions. He served on the VFLUA Social Committee in 1976.
In 1978, Merv married Janet. They now have four sons and eight grandchildren. He devoted time to his sons’ sports—Oakleigh Swimming Club, VFL football umpiring, and basketball. Though he made the VFL senior training panel in 1973 and 1976 (when the two-umpire system began), he never received a Seconds match due to a falling out with the advisor.
Merv’s last VFL appointment was the Northern District Grand Final at Leitchville, where Gunbower defeated Union. His ten-year career (1971–1980) included two VFL boundary umpiring roles (as an emergency replacement in 1972 and 1975), 165 VCFL games, 19 finals, three Grand Finals (O&M 2nds, Western Tasmania, and Northern Districts), and a representative match between Tatiara F.L. and Lamaroo & District F.L. His most memorable game? The 1979 Western Tasmania Grand Final on gravel in Queenstown, where Rosebery edged out Toorak.
Merv was awarded VFLUA Life Membership in 1981.
That same year, he joined the Dandenong Junior F.L. as an umpire and observer until 1983. In 1985, he joined the South East F.L. Tribunal, serving four years.
Between 1994 and 2003, Merv returned to umpiring and coaching junior football across several leagues. He played a vital role with the Waverley Blues—where his sons played—serving as Committee Member, Secretary, Treasurer, and Timekeeper. He received Life Membership in 2008 and was named an inaugural club Legend in 2019.
Merv also coached junior cricket with Mount Waverley Cricket Club from 1991 to 2003 and captained the 5th XI in 1994, often using juniors to fill gaps in the team.
Encouraged to return to cricket umpiring in 1996, Merv joined the Sub-District Association and has now been officiating for 28 years. In March 2025, he’s set to umpire his 450th Subbies match in a Third XI Grand Final.
Cricket umpiring has had its humorous moments: on one hot day, players told Merv to “keep putting your finger up” to get out of the sun and to the beer, which was getting warm as the ice melted. In another incident, a player’s celebratory toss of the ball after a blinding catch hit Merv on the head. He dropped dramatically—playing it up—with a teammate rushing water out, only to be told: “That’s the wrong colour bottle!”
Merv is truly one of a kind—humorous, sociable, and dedicated to everything he does.
In 2005, after 29 years at AXA, Merv moved to Pivotal Finance, then transitioned to Australia Unity and Wheelers Life before retiring. Still active, he helps a friend with Extra Care Mowing and, at 75, remains involved in the community.
Merv now spends his time supporting his children and grandchildren, attending umpire retirement lunches, and—his favorite—officiating cricket during the summer. There are whispers he may one day write a book about his incredible journey. Let’s hope that comes true.
Well done, Merv.
—Graeme ‘Wizzer’ Fellows