VALE - LANCE HENRY BARKER
This week saw the passing of the doyen of Australian Football in Mackay.
Lance Barker was one of the instigators of the League, a man with a passion for the game, and with the foresight to see that a vibrant and strong League could develop in the heart of North Queensland. Together with Michael Miller he laid the foundation for the Mackay Australian Football League.
Lance came to Mackay from the North West Coast of Tasmania in the late 60's with his late Mother. He started a new life in Mackay as a "chippie", and it soon became clear to him that there was something missing in Mackay. He, along with Michael Miller and others, called a special meeting to see if they could get an Australian Football League organised. The first meeting called was a complete wash out, as the wet season was here in earnest, so a second meeting was called. And so began the Mackay Australian Football League.
Lance along with John Illingworth and Lee Saltzer(father of Ty), started up one of the first three clubs, East Mackay. The following year Lance moved to take up another challenge...and got Bakers Creek up and running. Up until his passing he was always a true believer in the Black and Gold.
Lance held the position of League Secretary from 1979 to 1980 and again from 1988 to 1991. He was advised to give up on his football activities due to poor health, but Lance could not just stop. He again became involved at League level 1996 as a Director. While he wasn't involved at League level after that year he always had a very keen interest in what was happening.
Another one of Lance's great loves was to see a very strong Junior Association. He was very heavily involved with the development of the Junior ground, which now is sadly not in use. Lance held the position of President of the Junior Association from 1994 to 1996 and was the first Life member of the Junior Association.
Lance was very dedicated to the development of the youth players. He was one of the people who saw a need to get a team together for the lads who didn't have a comp to play. So in 1994 a Colts side was formed. While it was only in operation for one year, many of those lads have gone on to be a part of the senior clubs today.
Lance was also involved with the club known as the Northern Lions who didn't have a very easy time while in the League. Although the Lions were a disappointment, he never ever lost his love and dedication for Bakers Creek and is a Life Member with that Club.
Lance was the first person to become a Life Member of the Mackay Australian Football league in 1974. Other outstanding Awards given to Lance for service to Football in the Mackay area are:
? 1977 Special Merit Award from N.Q.A.F.A.
? 1995 Australian Football Foundation Merit Award.
? 2000 Commonwealth Sports Medal.
In his later life Lance crossed swords with a few people in the football circles but no one can ever doubt his love and dedication to the sport he played which became so much a part of his life in Mackay.
Lance Henry Barker Rest In Peace
Last Modified on 10/01/2009 18:10