Footy legends giving back to their game
THE wind and the dust during Dubbo’s Men of League golf day evoked startlingly different images to those that normally come to mind when talking about the hard men of league. The Gladiators photograph which showed a mud-covered Norm Provan and Arthur Summons embracing after the wet 1963 grand final is arguably the enduring image of the code.
But it’s the same game, the same type of people and the same good intentions which brings the rugby league community together to help others in time of need.
Men of League western region president Martin Cook said he’s constantly humbled by the support the organisation receives, with a good example being the 90 golfers who signed up for this year’s event.
“We had a really good roll-up to our annual Men of League golf day, a record roll-up and it was fantastic to see plenty of support. We had the captain-coaches from both Dubbo Macquarie and CYMS as well as the presidents from each club. Also the Dunedoo Swans are perennial supporters, so from a community point of view it was great to see the current crop of players giving back to the foundation which supports the men, women and children of the rugby league family,” Mr Cook said.
“Days like this are great for community spirit, a chance to catch up with people who have fallen on hard times. That side of rugby league doesn’t get spoken about often enough – the fundraising is one thing, but that social support to make sure people know there’s help if someone’s doing it a bit tough (is another important aspect).
“Plenty of people make days like this a success and every year the Dubbo Vets Golf Club cook the barbecue for us, and make sure the course is in tip top shape, do the scoring and make sure the day is a great success,” he said.
Don Mckinnon made the trip from Sydney to help out. He spent a decade at North Sydney Bears from 1977, featured in numerous country sides and an Origin game, as well as being picked for the 1982 Kangaroo tour.
He had a short stint at Manly before injury cut his career short and said he’s only too pleased to give back to the game which has been such a major part of his life.
“Dad was president of North’s football club... me and my brothers played for Norths so I was always going to end up being a Bear although I played a bit of rugby when I was a kid as well,” Mr Mckinnon said.
Brought up in a league family, playing the game all his life and attaining the highest levels in the sport, he says it’s important for people such as himself to give back, come out and support days like this.
“It is good and I enjoy it. I haven’t seen Terry Fahey since I played football against him, or Ronny Gibbs, so I get out here and have a round of golf so it’s actually a pleasant way to do a bit of good for the community,” Mr Mckinnon said.
“Men of League’s a fantastic charity and the good thing about it is it’s not just for first grade footballers, it’s for everyone involved in the game whether you worked in the tuck shop, coached or whatever in junior league. If you need help, Men of League is there to do it,” he added.
Brett Kimmorley knows better than most that good times can quickly turn into bad.
He represented Australia, NSW and won a premiership with Melbourne Storm, but that paled into insignificance when he lost his wife Sharnie to cancer in 2017.
“Life can be really s**t sometimes and life can be great sometimes, so I think it’s important that we appreciate both sides of all that, and if anyone ever asks for help we should all put our hands up,” Mr Kimmorley said.
“I think I was so appreciative and lucky enough to have played this game. I come from a rugby league background, my father played for a long time in the country and I went through a hard time a couple of years ago, and I had great support from the Men of League and great support from the whole game in general. So it doesn’t take much to donate some of my time, I’m a huge fan of helping the Men of League out.
“Martin rang and asked if I’d be interested in coming out to play golf and I brought my family out with me, so we’ve got a weekend at the zoo, just a bit of a family experience but also to help a great game that I was lucky enough to play,” he said.