THE Western Rams division of Country Rugby League is in mourning following the passing of icon Jim Lang.
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Born in Stuart Town, Lang was an astute administrator, highly regarded across the game.
He always had the best interests of rugby league at heart.
He was a patron of Western Division and served as a member of the Country Rugby League management committee in the 1980s.
In recognition of his immense contribution, Lang was bestowed with life membership of both Group 11 Rugby League and Dubbo Macquarie.
His involvement extended across the community in various fields, a life member of Dubbo RSL he served as a board member for 32 years and was chair of Orana Gardens aged care facility.
Group 11 secretary Ross McDermott said the rugby league and wider communities would miss Lang’s presence.
“Everyone who knew Jim had the upmost respect for him,” McDermott said.
“He wasn’t an outspoken person but he was very knowledgeable and contributed so much, not just to rugby league but also to the Dubbo RSL.”
While Lang had officially stepped away from rugby league administrations years ago, he was still imparting his wisdom until the end, McDermott said.
“Peter Clarke and I had met with Jim a couple of times this year, the last one three months ago. He gave us his suggestions and his honest and positive feedback,” he said.
“When I first started with Group 11 in the 1990s Jim was the secretary or president and he was a very hard worker, very professional.
“I kept in regular contact with him and I often went to him for advice. Most of the time I found that what he had suggested was right.
“He was just a great person, someone you loved to have a chat to.”
Jim’s funeral will be staged this Friday, October 21 at St Brigid’s Catholic Church, 198 Brisbane Street, Dubbo, commencing at 11am.
The Dubbo Men of League Golf Day, initially scheduled for this Friday, has been postponed to Friday, December 2 and in honour of the great man will be named Jim Lang Memorial Golf Day. McDermott said it was a fitting tribute to an incredible man.
Lang was a life member of Dubbo RSL and a board member for 32 years, as well as a Dubbo Macquarie life member and for seven years he was a Western Division rugby league director. He managed Country seconds in 1984, a tour where the country boys defeated City.
Lang served for seven years as the secretary of Group 11, where he was a life member and patron, and as chairman of Orana Gardens aged care facility for 15 years. He was a foundation member of Dubbo Rugby League and a patron of the Men of League Western Region.
