Welcome to the western region’s new Men of League organisation.
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Martin Cook is the inaugural president and he’ll head a group that consists of patrons Tom Nelson, Jim Lang, Roger Fletcher and Earl Harrison (Gilgandra); vice-presidents Ross McDermott and Bryson Luff (Gilgandra), secretary Ross Tighe; treasurer Andrew Hamblin and Geoff Mann.
The welfare officers and general committee members will plan an important role in the organisation. They will identify who needs assistance and then those cases will go towards a panel before they go to the next level.
Members of the welfare committee are: (from Dubbo) Ron Wiegold, Bob Pilon, Matt Walkom; (Wellington) Nelson Smith; (Narromine) Arnold Gillespie; (Gilgandra) Peter Weir, Buzz Noonan, Tony Wilson; (Coonabarabran) Chicka Maiden; (Coolah) Wayne Burgers; (Warren) Dean Leach; (Trangie) Bill McAnally; (Coonamble) Joe Bellgardt; (Dunedoo) Mathew Guan; (Baradine) Ken Campbell, Danny Hawkins.
General committee: Peter Orbell, Terry Fahey, Bill McAnally, Ron Gibbs; Arnold Gillespie, Tony Kelly, Bob Weir and Norm Newman.
Greg Tratt played most of his rugby league in Forbes but has been part of the landscape at Dubbo for many years. Now suffering from Parkinson’s Disease, Greg is getting by with the help of his wife Pat and their family. But one of the issues he had at their home was getting up and down the stairs with his walker. New ramps will be put in place at the home to make life that little bit easier.
Former Brewarrina player Bernard Wilson, now living in Dubbo, has also been assisted. He now has a gopher to allow him more freedom and to get around.
Former referees Norm Johnston (ex Cumnock now Wellington) has also received a visit from the Men of League, as has Snow Holland at Orana Gardens.
“I’m really proud to be president of the new executive,” Martin Cook. “My seven years as CEO of the organisation has given me an insight into what we can do at a local level.
“I’m looking forward to getting the support of our league people, most of whom are still involved with the game.
“I am certain we can provide fellowship and social welfare to our members who we know are doing so well. When you consider this is our first function and to get more than 100 people here is fantastic. We had a big group come from Narromine, from Gilgandra and Dunedoo, and others from Wellington and other centres around the district.”
It seems certain that when these men go back home and spread the word of the Men Of League then the interest will be increased.
The Daily Liberal will be part of that campaign to spread the word and we look forward to being part of the Men Of League in the future.
Those interested in joining the Western Region Men Of League can contact Ross Tighe or Martin Cook (Garvan Financial Planning).
After Friday night the number of members in the Western Region branch has reached more than 400 and increasing by the day.
