The Round 18 Volunteer of the Week is Peter Shipley from the Nor-West Jets.
Peter joined the Hawkesbury Junior Australian Rules Football Club (HJARFC) back in 1985 along with wife Jenny and their two sons, Damien and Dominic. His involvement with the club started like many others since, cooking on the barbecue.
Peter has always been passionate and active around the club. Not long after joining the club Peter took on the role of secretary for the club, a position he held for many years. Being in an environment where Australian Rules football was not the preferred sport in the district, development of the club was always a tough assignment and Peter was always on the lookout for new recruits, particularly anyone who knew anything about AFL football. But no-one in this club has longer continuous service than Peter Shipley – 24 continuous seasons. In those years, the only job that Peter hasn’t done is that of President. He has been team manager, lines marker, coach, head chef on the barbecue, secretary, treasurer, registrar, association delegate, sports council delegate, and like many other parents, a regular goal umpire.
For more than a decade now, Peter has been associated with the senior part of the club and along with wife Jenny, have carried out the roles of Ground Manger, Timekeeper and scoreboard attendant.
In the mid 90’s, there was a serious concern amongst parents of junior players that were soon to take the step into senior football. Peter, along with a few others around the club was instrumental in bringing the junior and senior divisions of the club together with the view of working together for the long term development of the club.
In 1991, Peter was awarded life membership of the Hawkesbury Australian Football Club. In 1997, he won the Club President’s award for his ongoing level of voluntary work for the club. In the last year, Peter has retired and is now more than ever active within the club. From marking lines to repairing air horns, you can rely on Peter to get those little jobs done that no one seems to have time for.
He’s a true believer, and has never missed a beat in the face of adversity due to his sincere and strong commitment to the development of Australian Rules Football, particularly in a district where "we are the opposition".
Last Modified on 19/08/2008 08:22