Five life memberships were awarded to Inverell Sports Council stalwarts at the 50th anniversary dinner on Saturday evening.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Founding member Bob Bensley, John Henderson, John Tom, Jean O'Brien and Wayne Ehsman were all humbled to receive the title.
Two service to sport awards were presented, the first to Kevin Pay and the second to Inverell Shire Council.
Inverell Sports Council secretary Simon Smith said Greg Kachel did a wonderful job as MC on the evening and highlighted Mr Bensley's history speech as a perfect wrap up of the council's achievements.
"There were eight things he mentioned, the first was the uniqueness of Inverell Sports Council he gave the Macquarie Dictionary definition of unique 'standing along in comparison to others'.
"It was because of the Inverell Apex and Lions Service Clubs who got together and pushed for the setting up of the sports council in the late 1960s, and an Inverell Shire Council meeting in 69 where 180 people attended that we can celebrate 50 years."
Mr Bensley spoke about the vital role Col Campbell playing visiting the Minister for Sport Ken Booth in the late 70s, who later came to Inverell to see the sports council, and Col's amazing fundraising efforts.
He also touched on the fact there had only been eight chairpersons- John Northey, Col Campbell, Bob Duff, Jock McKinlay, Brian Gardner, Paul Colver, Wayne Ehsman and Kerry Stafford (current).
"We've had two outstanding local members of parliament in the last 20 years who've supported us wholeheartedly- Richard Torbay and present members Adam Marshall who was in attendance." Mr Marshall backed up Mr Bensley's words by saying the sports council was an envy to many towns in his electorate.
Leon Fox, Inverell's first 'Sportsman of the Year' in 1971, was interviewed by Mr Kachel about his life in the racing industry as both as jockey and trainer.
Those in attendance were given a book outlining the Inverell Sports Council's second 25 years (the first already recorded) put together by Mr Bensley and Mr Tom.
The book is available to purchase by calling Inverell Shire Council.
"We are very lucky people have maintained the rage and kept it going, we're always looking for new projects to support and now Inverell is complete we are looking to our satellite villages like Ashford and Tingha to boost their sporting facilities."
Life Members
Bob Bensley
Bob Bensley was one of five awarded life memberships on Saturday evening. As founding member of the sports council and along with determined mates Col Campbell, John Henderson, Bede Thomas and others, Bob was eager to bring Inverell's sporting facilities up to scratch.
Described as a community man, Bob has been part of Apex and Rotary, the senior cricket association and a key founder of Inverell Junior Cricket.
Through hosting the 2NZ sports show, Bob was able to connect with many sporting groups and has been a tireless supporter of all sports as well as his civic service on council, church groups and Probus.
He also almost single-handedly drove the need for a new hospital, which is now under construction.
John Henderson
John's association with the Sports Council began in September 1969 when he first joined the committee. In 1971 he was voted in as vice-chairman of finance, probably the most important portfolio within the council because there were plenty of dreams and aspirations but so little money to make them come true.
Later in the 70s, he was in charge of existing facilities and then committee treasurer from 1979 to 1984. Whilst his time with the council ended in 1986, he is one of those people whose name might not have been in the monthly minutes, but he was always just a phone call away to help or lend some advice.
Hendo was a handy cricketer, and with his good mates Campbo and Benso played with the Nullamanna team. He was one of the instigators of junior cricket and as the runs dried up he turned up at the Golf Club.
John Tom
John has been an integral part of Inverell's sporting landscape for almost three decades as he taught at Ross Hill, Inverell Public and Holy Trinity schools, spending countless hours coaching students.
Some achievements attributable to his mentoring include Ross Hill winning the Brian Taber Shield in 1995, running golf coaching clinics for juniors to stem the decline, organising working bees to keep the local golf course in good condition with Vet golfers and being treasurer of the New England Veterans Week of Golf.
He is a great fundraiser- raffle prizes, sponsorships, arranging charity days, booking venues, advertising- John is adept at every aspect. As a member of the Sports Council he was heavily involved in organising the major fundraisers like Paddy's Day Bowls, charity golf days and 20/20 cricket competitions in conjunction with the McGrath Foundation.
He announced his retirement from the sports council in 2012, then put his hand up in preparation for the 50th anniversary dinner.
Jean O'Brien
The O'Brien name is synonymous with tennis in Inverell and the greater nothern region. Jean has been associated with tennis and junior coaching for many decades. The number of titles she's won as a player are too numerous to name.
In 1977 Jean was named Inverell Sports Personality of the Year against a hot field including Chris Mortimer who went on to play rugby league at the highest level. He record that year included winning Inverell Tennis Club's women's championships for the 12th year (many more followed).
She was elected to the sports council in the late 80s and became treasurer in 1993, a position she held for 10 years. All through this time she had a great backstop in husband Gordon, himself no slouch with a tennis racquet and just as dedicated to juniors.
Wayne Ehsman
Wayne played a number of sports in his growing years, such as touch football, rugby league and basketball. He became a member of the sports council in the early 1990s and in some of those early years was in charge of existing facilities. Wayne's term as chairman, 2001-2015, saw some of the most important developments.
Varley Oval is our premier sports facility and under Wayne's tenure, along with Inverell Shire Council and the huge support of Richard Torbay, we saw Varley Oval turned into a huge regional facility incorporating viewing areas, a stylish perimeter picket fence, scoreboard and lighting. It deserves to host events of the highest order.
Another major achievement was the synthetic hockey field in what was once the velodrome, extra public facilities at the complex, a hot mix finish at the netball courts and also the terracing at the netball courts.
Service to Sport- 2019
Kevin Pay
Kevin's love apart from his family, is Australian Rules Football (AFL). His playing career started in Sydney and was to take him all the way to the powerhouse Collingwood Football Club in the 1960s.
Inverell didn't know at the time but our community was very fortunate that Kevin brought his family here in 1967 when he established his business Blue Gem Contractors. As the business grew, the equipment, trucks and manpower were sought by numerous local organisations to improve their facilities including Kamilaroi Oval, Rugby Park, Varley Oval, Cameron Park, the harness and jockey club tracks, netball and hockey.
Donations of equipment and drivers, countless hours spent digging, delivering, spreading and levelling, just for a cold beer at the end of the day. Such is the esteem in which Kevin is held, he has been made a life member of the Harness Racing Club, Jockey Club, Show Society and Saints AFL Club.
Whilst Kevin has led some local sporting groups, his special delight is watching his sons and grandchildren putting back into the community involved in local sporting bodies at every opportunity.
Inverell Shire Council
Council was recognised for the role it played in the continued development of sporting facilities within the shire. The original Inverell Municipal Council endorsed the formal establishment of the sports council as a committee of the council and that relationships continues today. The council has lobbied politicians at all levels for funding to assist in the upgrade of facilities, and the proof of their success can be seen today.
Subject to proposed usage, seasons and finances set aside in the council's annual budgets at all times it has endeavoured to maintain our sports facilities to the highest of standards in conjunction with the user groups. There is no doubt Varley Oval has become the jewel in Inverell's sporting crown, but no at the expense of other venues.
Imagine where we would be without the vision that resulted in the establishment of the Sport Complex, or the superb upgrade of what was once a cow paddock- Cameron Park.