The Avoca Football Netball Club is very saddened at the loss of our Life Member, Colin “Mick” Matthews.
Mick was an outstanding contributor to the club for many years. He recieved the best clubperson award in 1961 and again in 1976. His son Kevin also won this award in 1977.
Mick also served as a club trainer for many years, and along with his wife Gwen, who was also a Life Member, they would run the old tin shed which was where the ladies committee would operate from.
Every match day Gwen and Mick would light a fire in the old tin shed which was located next to old grand stand.
This would ensure that the ladies were at least warm when they arrived to prepare the afternoon tea.
Before each match Mick would collect a standing order of pies and pasties baked by Rod Rowe.
Everyone agreed that Rowie’s pies were the best in the world, and Gwen new that there would be half a dozen missing by the time Mick had delivered them to the old tin shed.
As previously stated, Mick was also one of the team’s trainers, and along with Jack Coghlan, would give the footballers a rub down before the match.
The goanna oil they used was a special brew mixed up by Mick. The ingredients were kept secret, but rub it on and you would swear that you were 10 feet tall.
Mick and Gwen were both honoured with Life membership in 1979.
In later years Mick could often be seen sitting at the same seat in the social rooms on match days supporting the Avoca Bulldogs.
He will be sadly missed. Condolences to Kevin.