Merv Cooper

MERV COOPER

The son of a Gallipoli veteran, Merv grew up at Milton, went to school at Marist Brothers (Rosalie) and played rugby league for Western Suburbs of Brisbane. Always a keen punter he took to bookmaking in the 1960s with a zest which made him one of the most colourful characters Brisbane racing has seen. One of the great opinion bookmakers (he kept accurate form cards and was a form student) he would bet punters just about anything on a horse he though couldn't win. Merv's performance if it did win was worth the admission fee alone. A regular on radio for many years he helped lift the profile of bookies for 40 years. Cooper still helps out with remote stands for bookies to this day.