Hundreds gather to celebrate 100 years of rugby league and pay tribute to two great Moree club men
IT is not often that Alf Scott is lost for words.
But that is exactly what happened on Saturday night when the Moree born-and-bred living treasure was given not one, but two standing ovations at the Moree Boars Rugby League Football Club Centenary Ball.
It was due recognition of Alf’s years of tireless dedication to the greatest game of all.
And the Moree icon choked back tears as the 400-strong crowd stood as one to salute the man that gave so much to local and regional rugby league for so many years.
“I was flabbergasted. Seriously, I was stuck for words – and I’m never stuck for words,” Alf smiled.
“I get emotional just thinking about it . . . I’ve never had anything like that happen to me in my life. I realise that I’m pretty well-known in Moree but I never thought I’d see the day that I’d get a standing ovation – and there wasn’t just one, there were two.
“I just felt so humbled,” he said.
“And to be recognised by two excellent speakers like Tony Butterfield and David Gillespie, who said they were privileged to meet me, was overwhelming. I just couldn’t get over that . . . I’m still a bit shaky because of it.”
Ashlee Johnston (left) and Deb Holland present Alf Scott with a framed, limited edition Moree Boars jersey bearing the names of around 1800 Moree players (Image Copyright Bill Poulos).
In front of around 400 past and present players, supporters and officials, club committee members Ashlee Johnston and Deb Holland presented Alf with a specially-framed, limited edition Moree Boars jersey that carries the names of around 1800 players that have worn the famous blue and white.
Alf, who celebrated his 94th birthday during the week, will soon leave Moree to be with his son Richard in Perth and daughter Susan in Sydney.
He leaves behind a rich rugby league legacy that stretches back more than seven decades.
“It was a fantastic night and the work that Deb and Ashlee did putting the whole thing together was absolutely incredible,” Alf said.
“The guest speakers were excellent and the emcee for the night, Michael Andersen, did a fantastic job.”
Life membership was given to Todd Mitchell, a former Boars club president and A-grade coach.
Todd helped steer the club through some of its toughest times.
His close association with Moree Boars began 16 years ago and it’s a bond that only grew stronger in the years that followed.
“I helped Tony Murray with coaching in 2002 when we won the grand-final and then had a couple of years off when my father passed away,” Todd said.
“I got involved again in 2006, coaching first-grade for 2006 and 2007 and things progressed from there.
“I’ve stayed involved with the committee and have been treasurer and president and then a coach again . . . and now a life member,” he smiled.
But, in true Todd Mitchell style, he says he doesn’t feel comfortable seeing his name etched alongside a long list of Moree Boars luminaries.
“I really haven’t done as much as some of the blokes from previous years,” Todd said.
“Blokes like Jeff Greenaway, Burt Jovanovich and Rodney and Phillip Schoupp – these are people that have been involved for many, many years.
Alf Scott congratulates Todd Mitchell for his life membership at the Moree Boars Centenary Ball on Saturday night (Image courtesy of Deb Holland).
“I really don’t feel comfortable being in the same company as those blokes,” he smiled.
Todd helped the club through some turbulent times but, typically, deflects the accolades.
“In 2003 the club really hit rock bottom and it was Gavin Hann who pretty much dragged them out of collapse,” Todd said.
“Gav got the club playing football on Taylor Oval again and he is one fellow that I think deserves life membership as well, for everything that he has done for the club.
“The centenary ball might not have even happened if it wasn’t for blokes like Gav keeping the club going,” he said.
“But everyone pitched in and helped and I came back in 2006 and coached for two years. We got to a couple of semi-finals in Group 4 against clubs like West and North (Tamworth) and Coonabarabran – they were all really strong at the time.
“We were knocked out in both semi-finals for those two years and from then on the club just battled away,” he said.
Todd also praised fellow life members Alf Scott and Bernie Briggs.
Alf will soon leave Moree to be closer to family while Bernie sadly lost his battle with pancreatic cancer 18 months ago.
“The club has had its good years and bad years, but we could see the finishing line when we were getting close to the 100-year mark and the main two people, I think, that got us there were Alf Scott and Bernie Briggs.
“I formed a pretty good friendship with Bernie when I was coaching. We’d always have a barbecue before a home game and Bernie would always come down and cook for me.
“He always gave me a lot of confidence with my coaching and was always there to talk to . . . he was always positive, all the time,” Todd said.
“Alf and Bernie are the two main blokes that really helped me during my time with the club.
“But Alf will be leaving soon and that is going to be quite sad . . . he’s a Moree treasure and will be missed, that’s for sure,” he said.
Alf, who was afforded life membership of the club back in 1973, said Todd was a deserving recipient.
“It made me very happy to see Todd presented with life membership,” Alf said.
“Todd is a very humble man, a very quiet man, but what he has done for rugby league in Moree over the past few years is absolutely out of this world and it’s only because of Todd that the club is still operating at all,” he said.
Words: Bill Poulos
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