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Off-field legends honoured |
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Wednesday, 04 June 2008 |
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By Bridget Lacy
 East Fremantle has acknowledged footy clubs are held together by more than just players and coaches by honouring two of their most loyal administrative servants. Before Saturday’s game against Perth the Shark’s unveiled their renamed meeting room which pays tribute to the service of Ron Renfrey and Geoff Hayes (pictured left with East Fremantle President, John McManus and Steve Nugent, EF DDC Chairperson).
Chairman of the East Fremantle District Development Council Steve Nugent said both men had contributed hugely to the running and development of junior football in the East Fremantle district. “They have created a platform for many years of fostering talent on and off the field with East Fremantle having the highest number representatives in the AFL of any club in Australia,” Mr Nugent said. He said community sport relied on volunteers and the strength and health of the East Fremantle district was largely due to people like Mr Renfrey, Mr Hayes and their wives Aileen and Carol.
Mr Hayes who was the Chairman of the District Development Council until he was diagnosed with cancer two years ago said he was in tears for several minutes when he was told of the room's renaming. "You don't get involved in junior football for those things but it is great to be recognised and I'm just so humbled by what they've done for me," Mr Hayes said.
Mr Hayes began his involvement with East Fremantle through the Rossmoyne Junior Football Club and ended up serving some 30 years witnessing luminaries such as Graham Melrose, Brian Peake, Doug Green and Peter Stephen play for the club.
Mr Renfrey began his involvement through the Palmyra Juniors back when East and South Fremantle were a combined team. He retired from his role as the Secretary of the Junior Council in 1990 after 19 years of service but he said he enjoyed every minute of it despite the ups and downs. He said the club is a huge part of his life and he continues to stay involved, never missing a game either home or away. "For the club to name this room after me I'm just over the moon, it's a magnificent room and an honour I'll treasure," Mr Renfrey said. Both he and his wife are life members and he credits Mrs Renfrey as his "Friday girl" or unseen assistant through all his years at the club.
The two men met when the Rossmoyne Football Club began and Mr Hayes asked Mr Renfrey to attend. They have been close friends ever since and will be forever linked by the Renfrey Hayes Room.
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