Three members of the Dungog Junior Rugby League Club have been recognised for their hard work over a number of years.
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Club secretary Lindy Hunt and committee members Scott Fisher and Brett Gordon have all received awards over the past few months.
Lindy and Scott have been recognised by the Aurizon Volunteer Program for their contribution as individuals for donating their time and effort to junior rugby league .
Brett Gordon is one of 20 winners of the 2014 Country Rugby League Holiday Inn Everyday Hero Volunteer of the Year Award.
The winners will have provided exceptional service to the game and made a notable and measurable difference in their region in 2014.
The nominees are judged on their contribution to the development, promotion and organisation of rugby league in their community.
The top five finalists go into contention for National Volunteer of the Year.
Scott is the coach of the Dungog under-13s team
Last year his team struggled to get the numbers they needed and Scott never gave up on them, borrowing players from the age group below and giving his players the encouragement they needed.
When registration came up this year Scott approached all under-13 years local children around the area and successfully achieved a team to stand alone this year.
Scott recently played his 300th game for Dungog all-age but previously played for Dungog Junior Rugby League from the age of five.
Brett Gordon has the role of many positions within the club, despite not having any children playing junior league.
Lindy said Brett is the vice-president, FAO officer and groundsman on most match days.
“He is at Bennett Park every match day first and is last to leave, setting up and taking down all that needs to be done,” she said.
“Every Tuesday and Thursday when our teams train, Brett comes to the park, walks around to each team and assists in any way he can.
“As a role model we have recently has members of our club do the FOA course.
“These members have then proceeded to do their 10 hours training under Brett and the praise they have for knowledge and care for our players says it all.”
Lindy thought she knew everything that went on at the club, but she didn’t know that someone had nominated her for the Aurizon Volunteer Program.
“There were a few committee members looking pretty pleased with themselves, but no-one is owning up,” she said.
“I have only been on the committee for two years and basically because I was roped in.
“My sons Broc and Jarod had been playing for quite a few years and I always went along and helped, but wasn’t on the committee.
“I think they thought I would be a good secretary.”
And they weren’t wrong as Lindy sourced nearly $50,000 worth of grant money for the club.
She got Wayne Bennett to come to three training afternoons with the players, got him up for a night at the club where he was guest speaker and was instrumental in setting up the Alex McKinnon fundraiser which raised $23,000 for the injured Knight.
“This is a very generous community,” she said.
“In the space of a month, people dug really deep and raised over $50,000 for Alex McKinnon and Kerri Gorton whose house burnt down at the end of June.
“The grant money has been excellent for the club and has enabled us to buy new equipment for the players.
“We are in the process of getting our own head gear designed with the Dungog Warriors’ logo and will be able to sell them at a reduced cost to the players.”
Lindy would put in close to 20 hours a week into the club but said she did it because her father was always there when her four brothers were playing.
“I believe Dungog is a good club with a great bunch of kids and I wanted to be able to make a difference.”
Both Lindy and Scott have received $250 each and have been invited to the volunteer round of the Knights’ game at Hunter Stadium. They are also in the running to win $1000 for their club.
Brett received two night’s accommodation for he and wife Libby at a Holiday Inn in Sydney for the presentation evening on the weekend.