Rugby League Centenary Medals are awarded to 250 of the game’s outstanding volunteers, presented at various events throughout the 2008 season, including NRL games and the Harvey Norman Regional Celebrations.
Kevin Riolo
Kevin has been nominated for outstanding service to the games administration and Referees association.
He played for the Balmain Tigers, referee representative honours including Country and International fixtures, in Board of Management for 13 years and involved in Country Referees affiliation for over 30 years.
Wayne Bennett
Wayne’s commitment to developing Junior League in Gerringong allowed him to achieve his nomination for a Centenary Medal.
Wayne has coached league since 1977 and became president in 1980 till his resignation in 2007. He was a member of Gerringong Senior League Committee and President from 1978- 1984. He has also been a ground announcer and time keeper at Michael Cronin Oval. Wayne was also a selector for the CRL 16’s representative squad in 2007.
Deborah Crouch
Deborah’s involvement in rugby league for the past 30 years has been with Shellharbour Junior Rugby League and Group 7. She was assigned as the Registrar to Group 7 for 18 years and on he committee of Group 7 for 24 years. Deborah has been described as an invaluable member of Group 7.
Colin Purcell
Colin has considerable involvement in rugby league which includes a playing career between 1945 till 1972, coaching from 1958 till 1983, administration to Illawarra Senior League between 1965- 1994 and a league news editor for 4 years.
Colin’s lifelong achievements include Life Membership Illawarra Junior League and District Rugby League, Life Membership Wollongong Diocese Rugby League and a recipient of Wollongong Australia Day Sport Citizen of the Year Award in 2005.
Sue Blackwell
Sue has over 30 years combined commitment to the running of Rugby League in the Helensburgh area. She has held the Senior Club together for almost two decades. She has been the Secretary for over 10 years, Treasurer for three years and been an active committee person for at least 18 years.
Before this Sue was an active committee member of the junior section of the club and was the first lady to coach in the junior Illawarra League. One of Sue’s successes was Neil Piccinelli who played NRL first grade.
Sue is a Life Member of the Helensburgh Tigers RLFC and received a “Person of Merit” award from the Illawarra District Rugby League.
Sue is currently a very good committee member and is the licensee for the Footy Sheds putting in long hours behind the bar and collecting money with raffles. She has been the backbone of the Club for many years. She has a very good rapport with their major sponsor’s as she use to coach the Finance Manager of Helensburgh Coal.
George Jardine
George has over 30 years combined commitment to the running of rugby league in the Helensburgh area. George is a life member of the Senior Club and has contributed towards the running of the club for over 30 years. George had a very distinguish playing career with St George in their great years . George has coached many teams in the Junior section of the club and has been an active committee member person for alt least 20 years. George only stopped being a gate attendant for home games two years go because at eighty his legs couldn’t handle it anymore.
George had a very distinguish playing career with the Premiership winner side with both St George and Northern Suburbs Clubs. Is a Life Member of the Helensburgh Tigers RLFC and received a “Person of Merit” award from the Illawarra District Rugby League in 2007.
Currently he is a good committee person and life member of the club.
Kevin Anderson
Kevin has not only played rugby league but has also been an administrator for 23 years which he started in 1984. Thirroul Delegate to the Illawarra Committee.
Kevin has been recognised for his work receiving a Merit Award in the Illawarra Division and Life Membership to Thirroul RLFC.
Barry Donnelly
Barry has been with the Berkeley Sport RLFC for a total of 45 year. Firstly as a player from 1962 till 1987 then as a volunteer from 1987 to present. Barry has held numerous positions within the club and can regularly be seen at the football grounds giving support and encouragement to juniors, coaches and managers, and his other tasks regarding the successful running of the club. Barry goes beyond the call of duty to support his club.
Barry started as a player in 1962 at the age of 8 and during his time as a junior went on to become a rep player for Illawarra and also to represent his local school Berkeley Primary, from there he went on to Captain/coach at a senior level and played in the first inaugural game for Berkeley when finally retiring in 1987 at the age of 33. He then commenced coaching and still coaching at this present time.
Barry is currently the President of the Junior League and has held this position for the last 6 years. His main ambition has been to promote Rugby League to the Berkeley area and was a leading force in 2004 when the club was reinstated back into first grade. Other positions that he has held within the club include Secretary, Gear Manager, Vice President, Register, Manager and Coach.
John O’Dwyer
John has been described as a ‘first class human being’. John is a life member of both South Coast Group 7 and Country Rugby League. For 40 years, 1967- 2003, John was Secretary Manager of South Coast Group 7 Rugby League. Prior to 1967 he was a Shellharbour Shares Committee Member.
Currently John is a Group 7 Historian and Appeals Committee Member.
Bob Long
As a level 2 coach, Bob spends numerous mornings at grounds coaching members for 5 years as part of the ‘Buddy System’ which is for the development of new members within the association.
Most recently in 2006-2007 Bob was a Chairperson of the Judiciary. Responsible for coaching and appointing the association members he was a Member of the Coaching Panel from 1998- 2005. 2002 saw him as President of the Association and Assistant Secretary 1994- 1996. As a NRAS provider between 1995- 2000 ran the program that provides lectures to referees in training and conducts the examination. Bob was on the Executive committee 1997- 2001 which calculates to a total of 12 years servicing the Association. He was also President of the Mini/Mod Association for 5 years in 1990-1995.
Kevin Anderson
Kevin’s career in rugby league started when he played junior and schoolboy football for Dapto Thirroul RLFC, which he is now a committee member since 1984. Since becoming treasurer of Thirroul RLFC in 1987, every player has been paid in full and no player has left the club being owed money, something that the club is very proud of. In 1996 Kevin became a Life Member of the Thirroul RLFC and was Treasurer of the Carlton League in 1995. From the menial tasks on game day to the highly important and integral role of club treasurer- Kevin’s carries out his roles with precision and perfection.
Stephen Glyde
Stephen has been involved in football all his life and is currently a huge inspiration to all players in the Bellingen Dorrigo Club. Stephen has been involved in Rugby League as a player, coach, referee and administrator. Aswell as holding positions on Management Committees and being the North Coast Division Delegate.
Peter Holmes
Peter has just celebrated 30 years voluntary service to Woolgoolga Junior Rugby League. He is a founding member of our Club and has held many positions on the committee over all these years. He is our current Secretary. Peter also organises all the Rugby League at Sandy Beach Public School, where he has been a teacher for approx 20 years. Peter is the "history" of Woolgoolga JRL and over the years when there have been hardly any volunteers for committee, Peter has held more than one position to keep the club going.
Peter is a founding Member of Woolgoolga Junior Rugby League. Previous Vice President of Group 2 Junior Rugby League. Rugby League co-ordinator at Sandy Beach Public School and he has provided a place for children to learn and play Rugby League.
Vince O’Brien
Vince O'Briens contribution to Rugby League in the North Coast region in all facets of the game as player, coach, selector, coaching director, regional representative, administrator, senior and junior development and promotion of Rugby League has been continuing for the past five decades. Vince possesses all the characteristics of the calibre of a man that has made this nation great. Integrity, perserverance, kindliness, inspirational, selfless service to others, reliance, excellent adviser and the list goes on and on. In fact the saying "The world knows little about the greatest heroes" would apply to Vince.
Vince started his football career at 15, playing for the Beechwood Shamrocks in 1965. 1966/76 played for the Wauchope Blues. 1977/79 coached Wauchope Blues. 1980/1986 coached and played for Beechwood.
Vince is also a life time member of Beechwood Football Club as well as a life member of Wauchope Junior Rugby League. He has coached many young boys who went on to play football in the NRL. One notable player being Matt King (who played for Melbourne Storm), who he coached in the under 10s and under 11's, when Matt lived in Wauchope. Vince was also a finalist in the 2007 Toyota National Volunteer of the Year Award, conducted by the NRL.
Dennis Hollis
Dennis Hollis is a life member with over 30 years connection to the Taree RSL Red Rovers Football Club in one capacity or another. He is a life member of the Rovers, Group 3 Juniors and Seniors.
Dennis Hollis has served as President, Secretary, Treasurer, Registra, Coach, Manager and recruiter over his 30 years of servcie to the one club. Dennis has been instrumental in securing the longevity of the Rovers club and due to his stewardship the Rovers is the longest continually running Junior Rugby League Club in the country having celebrated its 50th year in 2007. All of Dennis's family have become involved in the Rovers football club over the years with one of his son's also becoming a life member of our club and ofcourse his wife and daughter who have equally contributed over the years to support Dennis in his passion for the Red Rovers.
Dennis Hollis has taken the Taree RSL Red Rovers to its 50 years celebrations as a junior rugby league club. He has maintained the momentum and effectiveness of the club so it can provide an environment for thousands of players over the years to enjoy their rugby league. He has served in all capacities there is along with his close family who have supported him in his endeavours over the past 30 years. He has been rewarded with life membership of the Rovers club, Group 3 Juniors and Group 3 Seniors.
Ken Malpass
Ken has provided 41 years service to the Wingham Junior Rugby League club & always as an executive member. He is a founding member of club and served 23 years as treasurer.
As treasurer and canteen co-ordinator he has run the most successful and highly organised position in the club. Ken is in his 70's and can recall all the details and transactions of the club within the last 10 years.
Wingham Junior Rugby League would not be the success it is today without Kens dedication, professionalism, inspiration and reliance.
Jack Petersen
Jack has been extensively involved in Rugby League for over 30 years. He has held numerous positions within the Club and also actively involved with Wagga rugby league in general. As a person who has recently retired, he still spends a significant amount of time promoting the game of Rugby League.
Jack has held all executive positions within the Wagga Brothers. Committee member of Wagga RL. Co-ordinator of City v Country, NRL pre season games, Grand Finals which have all been great successes.
Carmel Petersen
Carmel has been extensively involved in Rugby League for over 30 years. She has held numerous positions within the Club and also actively involved with Wagga rugby league in general. As a person who has recently retired, she still spends a significant amount of time promoting the game of Rugby League.
Carmel has been a Committee member of Wagga Brothers RLFC, Chair of the Ladies Auxiliary for over 10 years and great supporter of Jack in endeavours to promote the game.
John Bond
John has been an active member of the Junee Rugby League club since he started as Ball Boy at the age of 14 and has been involved in the club ever since, selling raffle tickets for 25 years, General Committee Member, Secretary and strapper for 10 years.
Johns dedication, professionalism and willingness to help anyone within the Club is inspirational and respectable.
Brian Hughes
Brian has committed years of service to Junior Rugby League in Temora. One of the founding committee (secretary) in 1964. Acted in various roles on committee including coached numerous teams in the late 60's - 70's. Brian was also secretary of Senior Rugby League in Temora for 23 years until 1991. He has also been group secretary at various times in the 1970's.
After a 10 year break from any roles in Rugby League, apart from fanatical spectator of grand children, he now compiles a Schoolboys RL year book (since 2002) with whole season stats, photos, memorabilia, advertising etc available free to every player.
Michael Trevaskis
Mick Trevaskis is an integral part of the Wagga Brothers RLFC for over 25 years. Mick is always the dependable man in the background, goes about his role in a way that to many goes unnoticed. His dedication to the game and to Wagga Brothers is evident with a vast documentation of the history of the Brother Club since conception.
Mick has been an active member of the club as a player, manager and committeeman and is a current Life Member of the Club. His willingness to perform any role as required provides the backbone to the Club and is always done in a very effective manner.
Mick's involvement is not just at Club level, he is actively involved in Wagga RL and provides support to all Clubs in Wagga. He has actively been involved in many forms of the game including, NRL pre season matches, City v Country and numerous local Grand Finals. His expertise is regularly called upon and he is well known throughout the group for his work ethic.
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