The Men of League has again showed its worth, with a successful Jim Lang Memorial Golf Day held last Friday despite there sadness the game feels in the local region.
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The day had originally been postponed and renamed in Lang’s honour following the well known rugby league identity’s passing in October.
The day was also set to be a fundraiser to help pay for the cancer treatment of former South Dubbo Raiders junior Kailem Barwick.
Tragically, Barwick lost his battle with the rare bone cancer Ewings Sarcoma on Thursday.
The local rugby league community had already been in mourning following the passing of Perry Meredith just two weeks prior.
A minutes silence was held prior to the beginning on Friday’s play for those three men, as well as their families.
While the backdrop was a sombre one, Men of League Western Region president Martin Cook said the day proved how useful his organisation is.
“It’s such a wonderful concept with like-minded people coming together to support their own,” he said.
“Rugby league throughout history has prided itself as a code where, if someone is down on their luck, mates rally and help him out.”
A welcome contrast to the sadness was a record number who supported the day, with more than 20 of Dubbo's local business houses sponsoring holes while 85 people registered to play golf.
The Western region committee of the charity was proud to welcome avid Manly supporter Jamison Leeson, her mum Amanda and sister Sky to the course. Jamieson arrived in the wheelchair-accessible van that had been donated to the Leeson family by the Men of League Foundation.
All up, the day raised more than $10,000 that will go towards helping the men, women and children of the rugby league family who have fallen on financial hardship due to injury or illness.
At late notice, the day's special guest Ruan Simms kept the crowd entertained with stories showing what it means to captain Australia and to share a childhood with equally talented footballing brothers Ashton, Korbin and Tariq.
Local legends and proud Men of League members Ronny 'Rambo' Gibbs and Terry 'The Redfern Express' Fahey were also fantastic as they too spoke about representing their country in the greatest game of all and playing in the world’s toughest completion.
Geoff Mann was again the MC and was in fine form as he guided the proceedings.
Cook was keen to hold special praise and give recognition to the tireless work of the committee, especially secretary Ross Tighe, whose efforts ensured the day was a wonderful success.
