Born on 15th May 1930, Rex Elvyn Garwood is one of only two players to win the William Leitch medal three times. Rex was only 13 years old when he first played with North West in the SSOBA, playing in their premiership team in 1943. In 1944 he moved to the Buckingham club from 1946 to 1949 with the club winning premierships in each of those seasons. He was runner up for the SSOBA Best and Fairest award in 1947 and won it in 1948 and 1949. He joined New Town Football Club in 1950 playing under the legendary Roy Cazaly . During 1951, his first season in the seniors, he won his first William Leitch medal, a truly remarkable performance considering he had only graduated from the underage ranks a year earlier.
	He was also rewarded with winning the Mercury trophy for the best league footballer and tied for the Wander Medal for the best player in intrastate matches where he kicked 10 goals for the TFL against the NWFU. That same year he was selected to represent Tasmania for the first time. The team played against the VFA. He represented Tasmania yet again in the Adelaide carnival of 1953.
The 1951 Glenorchy team - TFL Premiers. Rex Garwood stands fifth from left. Roy Witzerman (C) stands first on left in front of the mascot.
He was appointed vice captain of New Town in 1953 and after coach Jack Rough and captain Doug Scott were injured all the players rallied around their deputy skipper Rex Garwood to take out the TFL flag and the State premiership. New Town beat Sandy Bay 16.18.114 to 15.13.103. Rex Garwood was given first mention for New Town after a sterling performance. It was a tremendous achievement considering the average age of the team was only 21 years. Rex also topped the club goalkicking with 41 for the season.
	In 1955 he captained Tasmania to wins against New South Wales and Canberra. In the 1956 carnival in Perth, Tasmanian captain/coach Rex Garwood collected 3 votes in the Tassie medal for best on ground after dominating completely with 30 kicks, 13 marks and 7 goals and 3 behinds. The state finished third out of 5 competing states. Garwood's seven goals against the VFA at Perth was the highest individual tally of the 1956 carnival eclipsing VFL players Jock Spencer and Bill Hutchison who booted 6 each. He would play for Tasmania from 1951 to 1959, captain coaching in 1955, 1956 and 1957. He played at the 1953, 1956 and 1958 carnivals.
Rex Garwood, the Tasmanian captain shows plenty of dash to relieve a West Australian attack in the 1956 Perth Carnival. Rex Garwood left Glenorchy to take up the coaching reins at New Norfolk for the 1954 season. He won his second William Leitch in 1955 and followed up with another in 1958. The club, under his onfield guidance,  enjoyed its best year ever finishing the roster series on top of the ladder but it lost both finals matches.
Rex Garwood marks at full forward for New Norfolk in front of Hobart fullback Peter Leitch. Garwood would kick 11 goals in this match in 1959, ten of which he booted the big sticks in the first half,  the biggest individual tally for the season. Rex finished his playing days with the club. He could and did play in all key positions on the ground and usually dominated, but he played mainly as a ruck rover and forward or centre half forward. After an illustrious football career Rex retired at the end of the 1960 season.
The 1975 Glenorchy team TFL and State premiers. In the front row is playing coach Peter Hudson fourth from the left with Daryl Sutton fifth from left and Rex Garwood sits second from right. In the back row Trevor Sprigg stands second from left while Rodney Eade is pictured in the second row fourth from the left. Standing next to him fifth from left is Robbie Dykes while Gary "Super" Linton is first on the right.
	As a champion Australian Rules footballer, cricketer and now a top man in the world of lawn bowls, Rex must go close to being the best allround sportsman ever produced by Tasmania. Rex Garwood's love for sport found expression during the summers in cricket. While still an underage footballer he began first grade cricket cricket with Glenorchy in 1947. Rex played with Tasmania against the touring West Indies side and also against Victoria. He was selected in every State team during the period from 1948 to 1954. In the 1954 season he topped the TCA batting averges. Towards the end of his football career Rex began to take an interest in bowls, playing with the New Norfolk Club. His skill, impeccable delivery and and touch soon became apparent. Rex is now a top lawn bowler and has won several Tasmanian championships and represented Australia in a Test match against New Zealand in 1985 in Adelaide; the first Tasmanian to do so for 13 years. He has also won a Gold medal in the pairs championship at the Australia Games in 1985.

Rex Garwood was the first person inducted into the Tasmanian Sporting Hall of Fame in 1987.
He is a member along with other Tasmanian Football Legends such as Darrel Baldock , Arthur Hodgson , Horrie Gorringe , Bruce Carter , Terry Cashion , Roy Cazaly , Royce Hart , Peter Hudson , Laurie Nash and Ian Stewart .
He was also selected as one of Tasmanian Football's seven "Living Legends" along with Ian Stewart , Darrel Baldock , Royce Hart , Peter Hudson , Alastair Lynch and Terry Cashion .

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Rex Garwood - A Tasmanian Football Legend