After nearly 30 years with the Murray Bridge Basketball Association, Marilyn Watkins has called it a day.

In February 1979 Marilyn with husband Reg & four children moved to Murray Bridge. As Reg was a truck driver and on the road a lot, Marilyn was keen to become involved in the community.

She started eldest daughter Melissa in basketball & with a shortage of umpires it wasn't long and she was umpiring with baby Shauvaghn in the stroller on the sideline.

As the years progressed, both sons Paul and Phillip played followed by Shauvaghn, Marilyn got to umpire all four children plus her two eldest grandchildren. They were not always happy with her calls, as Marilyn didn't let them get away with anything!

Marilyn became even more involved taking up coaching, going on to coach Association Bullets teams from U/12s to U/20s, also Adelaide Southern Suns U/18 girls & Woodville U/16 girls.

In 1994 she joined the MBBA Management Committee. 1997 saw her take on the position of secretary until 2002 when she became treasurer until 2007.

Marilyn also held the position of Stadium Manager from December 1996 until her resignation in September 2008.

She was an executive member on the South Australian Country Basketball Council from 2003 until September 2008.

In April 2000, Marilyn received her well deserved Life Membership.

During these years the Association had gone through some pretty rough times, and Marilyn has always been there to help to recoup losses - with lots of fundraising and working bees including resurfacing courts.

She helped with organising Wheelchair Basketball three years in a row. She also worked with the Tri- State Disabled Games and organising Masters Games in Murray Bridge and helped with Port Pirie Masters and Special School.

Marilyn spent a number of years as Umpire in Charge and usually sometimes on more than one night a week.

Marilyn also instigated the start of the Steamers Basketball Club in Murray Bridge.

For a very short time she even played (maybe three weeks) and when she shot her first goal her words were something like "Did you see that?" She promptly quit playing.

The Association, family & friends wish Marilyn and Reg all the best in their interstate move. Marilyn will be missed, especially by her three younger grandchildren.

First Published on 24/11/08 - Joy Morris