Queanbeyan Tigers Australian Football Club

Message of Farewell for Tigers Father Figure - Jack McNamara

- as read by Tigers Football Manager Ron Fowlie

I have the honour today of representing the entire Community of Queanbeyan in delivering a farewell to John William McNamara. One of the truly great community leaders and sporting legends of our City.

I make no apologies for delivering this farewell in a somewhat lengthy presentation based on trying to include 91 years of a very active and successful life into such a short period of time today.

Jack - as he was more affectionately known - was born on the 9^th December 1914 - son of John and Olive McNamara of Redfern, Sydney. He attended Fort Street High School, but due to the depression years he left school at an early age.

As a 16 year old in 1933, he arrived in Queanbeyan riding a trustworthy bicycle from Sydney to work with his Uncle the late Stan Mason who was the local undertaker.

He would never envisage that he would become one of its leading and best known citizens during the next 75 years.

Nor would he have envisaged marrying and raising a family in a township from which he would gain a legion of friends - many of whom have predeceased him - but such was his diversity in many community based activities - many of the younger generation are here today to pay tribute.

After a period of failing health, Jack suffered a severe stroke and passed away in the Queanbeyan District Hospital on August 4 at 3.15am.

He married Helen Mason in 1938 daughter of Wal and Hannah Mason the Queanbeyan Tigers Foundation President of 1925 and so was steeped in the tradition of the Tigers Club from the time of his involvement.

His wife Nell as she was better known predeceased him in 1963, but as a result of the union, daughter Trudy and son John together with granddaughter Sharon, grandson Steven and two great granddaughters Alyssa and Samantha survive.

This to all his many friends, sporting colleagues, and community based organisations and most importantly his family.

During life, most of us endeavour to contribute to society to the best of our abilities, in one way or another.

From time to time, a special person emerges in our community, a person who has the capacity and skills to involve themselves in worthwhile contributions to sporting and community clubs and various organisations.

Jack McNamara was one such person. Apart from a busy working life, he managed to take on a keen interest in the following organisations:

Jack was a staunch and active member of the Queanbeyan Rotary Club. He served a term as President receiving the highest Rotary Award available the Paul Harris Fellow. This is a Rotary International Award, presented by the home club for outstanding service to the community above self. Long time friend and another fantastic contributor to our Queanbeyan Community Jim Woods recalls Jacks tremendous sense of humour and terrific ability at telling yarns and Irish jokes. He recalls that at the Rotarian Ladies Nights they often had a ten minute break during which Jack would steal the limelight with his story telling abilities.

As an Alderman on the Queanbeyan Council he became one of the Original Founders of the Queanbeyan based State Emergency Services (SES).
This came about when he along Ray Morton, a former Queanbeyan Fire Chief, realised the need for a trained response team after two young girls drowned in the Queanbeyan River three days after Christmas 1963.

It was in 1964 that the birth of the SES Unit occurred with its first headquarters located behind the Tourist Hotel in a garage. Since then, the Unit has called many places home; a garage where the Court House now stands and a building behind the Tourist Information Centre. It wasn't until 1979 that tenders were called for and today's Headquarters in Erin Street became its current home. Jack being invited to attend the opening.

On one particular occasion as an Alderman of the Council he was doing the rounds of the local pubs along with great mate Doug McRitchie. They were selling raffle tickets raising money for a local charity. Doug didn t mind a few beverages, while Jack was a teetotaller. For a bit of fun they dressed in costume, Doug as a monkey, Jack as a gorilla. The famous Queanbeyan Floral Festival was also being staged with Jack having to make a presentation to Miss Queanbeyan that afternoon.

On completion of the money raising exercise, Jack advised Doug he was off home to change into his suit for the afternoons presentation. Doug, after sampling a few drinks along the way decided that Jack need not change his clothing and proceeded to put a safety pin in the back of the zip unreachable by Jack so there was no change of clothing with Miss Queanbeyan being crowned by a Gorilla .

Son, John recalls that Jack served as a volunteer fireman with the Queanbeyan Fire Brigade for one week. He wasn t too impressed that after a week of cleaning hoses, the fire engine, brass hats and the station that when a fire did occur no-one notified him and he was left behind. He was a little stubborn and quit his post.

He was also a tough nut and recently after suffering a gall bladder complaint finally had surgery after which the family was advised there was little chance of survival. Not so Jack convinced John to have him checked out of the Hospital and within hours had regained his colour, composure and gained strength from just being at home. He did yoga everyday and other than a shoulder problem which the legendary Bob Griffin often massaged he enjoyed strong health.

As a carpenter Jack worked on many prominent buildings in the area including the Australian War Memorial, Canberra High School, the American Embassy and other Canberra landmarks before launching out as a builder on his own in Queanbeyan. Many homes and buildings bear the mark of his excellent tradesmanship.

On such building is that of the change rooms in the Queanbeyan Park. I am sure we are all familiar with this building of which was constructed with voluntary labour from both the Queanbeyan Cricket Club and Queanbeyan Tigers Club both organisations he excelled in as a player and administrator.

As a brilliant wicketkeeper and a very handy batsman, Jack played A Grade for the Queanbeyan Cricket Club from 1934 through to 1965 32 years in total as the 1^st Grade wicketkeeper. This remarkable achievement is a record that has never been approached by any other ACT Cricket Association player and no other wicketkeeper has been able to hold a place in the Senior Grade competition for so long. Along the way he Represented the ACT in a number of fixture matches including a match against NSW and one against India in December of 1947.

As an Administrator of the Queanbeyan Tigers Club, I have had the honour of meeting and developing strong friendships with many players during my time. In particular it has been a wonderful experience to be associated with former legendary players of pre and post war years.

It was my great privilege to meet and a develop a strong friendship with Jack through many of our great associates including legendary players cum officials in Alan Muir, Harold Williams, Bill Gadd and Ron Williams all of whom have unfortunately left us this year to form quite a strong contingent of players on the other side of life.

I am sure the late Alan Muir would have been in this position today farewelling one of his great friends and a player he idolised. He often spoke of Jack Mac - acknowledging his magnificent presence among people and the aura that his every move - whether on the sporting arena or in general appearance gained the attention of all around him.

Unfortunately Alan suddenly passed away on 2 February this year and took with him our link to the past and his enormous knowledge of people such as all of the above mentioned. In particular he had fond memories of Jack playing for the Tigers Club and often recalled how strong, powerful and fair Jack was on the playing arena.

I recall traveling to Wollongong to attend the funeral of Mrs Coralie Williams wife of one of our great players Ron Williams some years ago. What a trip. In the front seat I had Muir. In the back seat I had Jack McNamara highly regarded as the father of the club. They both thought each other was deaf, so for three hours either way, there was a yelling match between them.

By the time we returned to Tigerland, I was partly deaf myself but wish I had a tape recorder. Some of the stories were absolute crackers.

As a football Club we introduced the Tigers 100 Club in 1982 to recognise the achievement of playing 100 1^st Grade games within the Organisation and each year it meets to induct players achieving the 100 game mark during that year.

Jack attended that Dinner for 21 consecutive years until night time activities were curtailed for this gentleman two years ago. He along with Ron Williams of similar age and appearance gained enormous applause when introduced each year at the annual dinner all those in attendance marvelled at the way these two gentlemen carried themselves upright with wide shoulders and a chest bursting with pride. They were proud men of their time.

And they were proud to be in attendance at the each and every one of those functions.

Jack has been described as an outstanding player, strong robust who never took a step backwards. He gained notoriety not only as a ruckman but also as a rover both quite different positions in those days such was his diversity as a player in the game.

He played in four grand finals for the Tigers including the historic tied grand final of 1939 against Manuka at Manuka Oval. The replay was played in Queanbeyan at the Park Oval, the Tigers winning the match with a record score in front of a then record crowd, many of whom at travelled to Queanbeyan by train to witness the match. He was listed amongst the best players. Three of those Grand Finals were premierships 1939,40 and 41 of which were the first of any team in the League to win three consecutive titles. A feat the Tigers would not equal until 1998,1999 and 2000.

He represented Canberra on numerous occasions including the 1938 All Australian Carnival in Tasmania along with Tiger team-mates Bob Kaye, Merv Strang, Reg Netting, Floyd Primmer and Ron Williams.

Other Representative matches he was included in were against Victorian Amateurs (1939) and Broken Hill (1935).

An article in the Queanbeyan Age of 15 April 1949, gave praise to Jack McNamara reporting that - quote it is pleasing to hear that Jack McNamara last years Captain of Queanbeyan and the Interstate football team has been chosen to coach the Canberra Representative team during their visit to Perth. It is a fitting climax to the career of this tireless footballer and hero of many games in the Canberra League .

Jack won the Tigers 1^st Grade Best and Fairest Award on four occasions 1934, 1935 1936 and amazingly thirteen years later in 1949. He is the first and only player to have won the title in three consecutive years.

As a member of the 1941 Premiership team that defeated a team from the RAAF base Jack fondly recalled the match as one of the toughest - but most satisfying - considering the opposition fairly sprinkled with former VFL players that had been transferred to Canberra due to the war.

They won the premiership by 3 points in front of a crowd of 3,000 including Prime Minister Fadden.

A paragraph from the Tigers History book as described by Jack Mac highlights the length players would go to attend games.

It reads On a number of occasions a wood truck owned by Ralph Carpenter was used to transport players to games. Ralph was never to keen on transporting the players into Canberra and often refused to drive the truck. On one occasion, his son Doug (who eventually became Secretary of the ACT Transport Union) would entice his father into their homes laundry, then lock the door leaving his father stranded whilst he drove the footballers to their respective matches ( Jack recalled that Doug did not having a licence).

On the administrative side of his affiliation, Jack filled many executive positions with distinction including President 1960 1964 and Treasurer 1946 1951. Jack was awarded Life membership in 1958 whilst his late wife Nell a tremendously dedicated worker for both the Junior and Senior organisations was also awarded Life Membership in 1964.

Jack gained admittance to the Tigers Wall of Fame in 1987 the inaugural induction and opening of this prestigious sporting gallery associated with the Club.

Jack played well in excess of 200 games and was a founding member of the Tigers elite 100 Club formed in 1982.

The AFL Canberra Reserve Grade Medal for the Best and Fairest player is named after the legendary McNamara in recognition of his contribution to our great Australian game. His attendance at the Mulrooney Medal to present the Jack McNamara Award was always warmly received by those in attendance. He always spoke - and spoke well. In later years Alan Muir presented the award in the absence of Jack and again always gave a glowing and apt description of the man the award was named after.

His enormous contribution to the game of Australian Football was recognised by the Australian National Football Council in 1962 with a Merit Award - the highest award available being presented to him from what is now named the AFL.

The fact the Club survived the tough times during its long history is due in the main to the dedication and vision of men like Foundation President Wal Mason, outstanding administrative personalities in Jim Prendergast, Mauire Richards Dick Sydes, Tom Borrowman, Reg Watson and Jack MacNamara.

Jack McNamara retained an interest with the Tigers Club for 60 years, with the Queanbeyan Cricket Club for 32 years both of which is an indication of his loyalty to sport and his interest in the City of Queanbeyan. He was a fond believer that he had taken a lot from the community and wanted to put back as much as he could.

During the last 7 months, I have had the privilege of delivering a number of farewells for past players of the Club. Much of what has been said today is most probably - in some manner or form has been said this year in other farewells.

In particular - and on all occasions I have used the word legend or legendary to emphasise the respective individuals extreme importance within our organisation.

I can assure you that each and everyone described as a legend were sporting heroes in the Queanbeyan Canberra District Jack McNamara being one of those. It may be said and once I again quote from the Club History book:

 That the Tigers tradition of team sprit and never say die attitude was born during that period

There is no doubt that former players of the calibre of Jack McNamara have assisted make the Tigers Club the sporting success it is today.

Jacks presence at the 100 club function over 21 years and the spirit he showed at those functions showed the true character of the man as he gracefully aged during that time. We were so proud of this man for his endeavours to show us young Tigers just what they were made of from day s gone bye.

Jack McNamara has been in the forefront of most community betterment projects and programs in Queanbeyan, He was a great supporter for the young and old and was actively interested in the development of our City.

The powerful sporting display in the Queanbeyan Bicentennial Hall of sportspeople representing our City at National and State levels perhaps should have another category acknowledging the wonderful contribution to sport at local level of which Jack McNamara did - with so much honour.

In recognition of his enormous community efforts he will be carried from this church today by long time Queanbeyan residents and great mates Les Gherig and Peter Mayer, Rotarians Geoff Steele and John Hunt and two of the Tigers Club 200 1^st Grade game players Doug Daniel and Robert Anderson.

TIGERS CLUB NEWS ARCHIVE

TIGERS NEWS September 2006