By Stuart Kavanagh
The Old Timers celebrations clicked into full gear on Sunday as the club honoured the 2002 Premiership side and handed out two Top Roo awards as last year’s in-person event was cancelled due to COVID.
The 2021 award was given to Terry Dunne. His family is deeply linked with South Footy Club and Terry is a chip off the family block too.
A former player, his on-field career was cut short due to work commitments at just 19 years old.
That didn’t deter him from having association with the club and he returned 15 years ago to serve as a board member.
Terry has also been a goal umpire and timekeeper at different times, as well as running the club’s bingo night, called Housies. He is also a life member of the Roos.
The 2022 award was handed out to club legend John Vale.
The Vale family have funded the best and fairest award at Southies for over 80 years, with John himself funding the award for over 50 years despite living away for quite some time.
The Vale name is synonymous with the South Broken Hill footy club. So much so that the club’s best and fairest award is called the Vale Memorial best and fairest.
Along with being a former player, John Vale is also a former board member and secretary of the club.
Peter Johns, President of the Past Players Association, couldn’t be more glowing in his praise of either man, or the event itself.
“Both men epitomise what the award is all about,” Mr Johns said.
“Terry has been a terrific servant to the club over many years and John has shown terrific support for the club despite living away for many years.”
