Men of League Foundation
FORMING LOCAL BRANCH: Rowan Johnson.
A meeting will be held later in the month to try and establish a local branch of the 'Men of League Foundation'. The initiative to start a 'Men of League' organisation in Condobolin has been taken by Rowan Johnson, who was a former Condobolin footballer and now the local taxi proprietor.
Rowan Johnson has had previous experience with this type of organisation in the Newcastle and Riverina areas. "About eight years ago I suffered a serious accident and my life was saved by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter service. As part of my own rehabilitation and fundraising for the rescue helicopter, I addressed a number of meetings of 'Men of League' at various towns and relayed my story to them. The 'Men of League' in various areas were holding functions themselves and supporting local charities. I thought it would be a good idea to start one up here and raise some money for our local organisations as branches already exist nearby in Parkes and Forbes. Condo has always been a strong rugby league town and I feel sure we would be able to form our own branch. You can be a former player or a current player, referee or official, or neither and just a supporter of the game. It doesn't matter, as long as you have an interest in rugby league you can become a member," Rowan Johnson said.
The 'Men of League Foundation' was formed in 2002 and the main reason was to assist Rugby League players, coaches, referees, officials and administrators from all levels of the game and members of their families who have fallen on hard times. The founders were Jim Hall, Max Brown and Ron Coote AM who expressed his concerns after seeing a former footballer dying alone in a NSW South Coast Hospital. Ron Coote would also be remembered in Condobolin as he and his brother spent some time in the town and attended a rugby league presentation night. It was a trip down memory lane for Ron Coote, as his father Jack Coote was the captain and coach of the Condobolin rugby league side many years before. Ron Coote is currently the president of the National Board of 'Men of League' and has seen the membership grow in eight years to 15,000 members.
Rowan Johnson said that there is a one off payment for membership when you first join.
"The membership fee is only $20 and this entitles you to be a member for life. "Part of this membership goes towards scholarships that are awarded to some young injured players to help them get back on their feet and obtain a trade. It also goes towards securing accommodation for elderly former players who may be going through a tough time. The 'Men of League' branches in the larger areas have major fundraising days, including sports days and race meetings and donate to many major charities. Once the branch is arranged here at Condobolin, we can have a few fundraising events for our local organisations who are always in need of funds. We are going to hold a meeting at the Sports Club and I hope that many of the rugby league fraternity can come along and find out a bit more about the 'Men of League'," Rowan Johnson added.
A meeting has been arranged for 7.30pm on Thursday September 23 at the Condobolin Sports Club.
B & S community presentations
The Condobolin B&S winter ball has a history of being one of the best in the state and this year it was no different and certainly benefits the community as a whole. With a broad range of committees volunteering to help over that second weekend in July, they were all well rewarded on Wednesday September 1 with community presentations at the Condobolin Hotel. Before the presentations commenced, Katharine Marsh welcomed everyone on behalf of the Condo B& S committee and thanked all the various committee volunteers for their help. "We had quiet a successful year at the B&S Ball this year. Our major project this year was to donate a fair amount of money to the SRA Hall which we use each year. Some of the money went towards the painting the interior of the hall. We have a certificate and a cheque for the various organisations that the B&S committee are donating to," Katharine Marsh said said.
Those organisations that benefited from the ball this year were, Senior Rugby League, Condo Rugby Club, the Indigenous Mens Shed, Condobolin Lions Club, Condobolin State Emergency Service, Can Assist, Condo JRL Club, Condobolin RSL Physical Culture Club, Condobolin Lions Club Sports Awards Association, Condobolin Veteran Vintage and Restoration Club, the Golden Oldies, the Condobolin Hospital Auxiliary, the Rural Fire Service, Condobolin Pre School, Milby Sports and Condo Rodeo Committee.
"We donated $23,000 back into the community through these organisations, who many volunteered their time. Without your help we could not run the ball, once again, thank you," Katharine Marsh added.