After 21 years of dedicated service to the board, Rodney George, says he appreciates his Life Membership to Singleton Diggers.
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But the straight shooter is quick to add that he thoroughly “deserves it”.
As from filling the role of Santa Clause to various positions on the executive, he has always been committed to ensuring the board remained fiscally responsible while continuously improving both the York Street and Alroy Clubs.
Explaining he always focused on the big picture which meant fulfilling the organisations long-term goals.
“I would never just put my hand up and agree with an idea to keep others happy,” he says.
His affiliation with the Diggers dates back to his Uncle, Roy Bailey, who was the first president in 1947.
And, as a young man he can recall meeting his parents for dinner and social bowls on a Friday night’s after they had finished the milking.
This turned into 25 years of playing competitively, and he joined the board on July 30,1996.
They lost four directors in one year so someone had to step up, he says.
Then from 1999 right up until this month, Mr George held various positions on the executive, including chairman.
So it was a proud moment when his daughter and granddaughter travelled up from Sydney to witness him receive this accolade.
It all happened on Saturday, November 4, at the Singleton Diggers Annual General Meeting.
Here the current chairman, Darcey Dennis, presented Mr George with his plaque.
This in itself was a meaningful moment as these two men actually joined the board at the same time back in 1999.
Mr George says it is nice to recognised but was quick to downplay any fuss.
“Once you commit to position, you have to follow it through,” he says.
Never one to hold back, he is also dedicated to diligently organising regular Costain Ravensworth reunions every five years or so.
He worked at the mining operation for 25 years before being retrenched.
Of course, he hosts them at Diggers and would like to get the word out about the next one.
“I am planning one for all the ex-Ravensworth employees on Saturday, February 3, 2018,” he explains.
“I use to put it in the Common Cause but they don’t print it anymore so I need other ways of letting people know.”
So as one door closes another opens, and even though he has now officially retired from the Diggers Board, Mr George says he is twice as busy.