Greg, a father of three teenagers, coaches his local football team two nights a week, spends all weekend ferrying his kids to various sporting venues, is also secretary of the club, and on Friday nights is spending what little spare time he has left marking the lines on the home ground because the usual official has reported in sick.
Greg, not his real name, seems surprised when asked: “Why do you do it?”
Like many parents the task started out as a small contribution that he and many other community minded people feel they like to make to enjoy living in an area and wanting services and facilities for their own children to enjoy.
Of course the contribution has grown somewhat over the years and now consumes just about every non-working moment for Greg. With the competing demands of his senior position as a company executive Greg is obviously making a major commitment to a sport – which admittedly he loves passionately – but one that certainly exceeds what any reasonable thinking person would or should be expected to give.
But Greg is not alone. And, just as well, since the administration of amateur sport in this country would simply collapse if there were not literally hundreds, if not thousands, of similar souls willing to do whatever’s required to make things happen.
The major responsibility for sports and recreation at the local level lies with the relevant council but in most instances this role is restricted to the construction of new facilities and the maintenance of existing grounds.
Given the ever increasing demands on local councils it is perhaps not surprising that requests for much needed facilities far outstrip their capacity to provide the many items on the various sporting groups’ wish lists, and these lists can over five years old!
To Greg the challenge is there to be met: “At the moment we want new lighting for our ground, we have a pole that is leaning over at an extreme angle and something has to be done urgently.
“If the council can cover the cost of materials with a grant and/or help from the state we can arrange the labour and most of the equipment needed.
“We’ve three electrical engineers, a guy from the hire centre and plenty of willing labourers (read dads) in the club so we can just make it happen.”
Thanks Greg. And all the other Gregs out there. Your community needs you.
CORRECTION
The PROFILE on 17 May 2007 about BRIMAC Automotive Services incorrectly listed the Kirrawee company’s fax number as their phone number.
Many apologies to proprietors Peter and Jan Turney and any SutherlandShireOnline readers and prospective customers who couldn’t make contact with the one-stop ‘registration shop’.
The correct number is: Ph 9545 4061
| 
