By Ron Lane
It was just after 8pm, Saturday 9 September 2017, and the Noosa Pirates Rugby League Dinner and Presentation of Trophies was coming to a close.
All the trophies had been awarded, but there was one special award to be made. So prestigious was this that it would not be right to refer to it as a trophy.
Stepping forward, president Greg Christensen addressed the dinner. “Tonight, ladies and gentlemen we acknowledge the hard work, dedication and loyalty of one of our people, and I am sure that you will agree with me when I announce that club secretary Lexie Mawn has been awarded life membership of the Noosa Pirates Rugby League Club.”
This immediately brought the veteran members, supporters, friends and most important of all fellow life members to their feet, and the applause was deafening.
It was back in the year 2000 that Lexie first became involved in the Pirates club; but it was in the country town of Wallumbilla that Lexie made her first appearance on the road of life; the year was 1965.
Educated in Roma at the local high school, she entered the workforce on the staff of the local Stock and Station Agency. It was during this time at the age of 17 years that she experienced her first involvement with the game of rugby league.
“There I was a teenager cooking plates of mince for $1 a plate; it was my way of helping the Roma Cities Gladiators Football Club. And don’t you lot ever forget,’’ she added giving me the thumbs up and a million dollar smile, ‘’Our Roma Cities Gladiators Football Club is the home of the great Darren Lockyer.’’
Then after several years of country life, she moved to Noosa where she entered the nursing profession and also married.
Regarding her career, the year 1996 was the big one, for in spite of her size (she stands 1.3m in bare feet) Lexie bit the bullet and, of all things, joined the Queensland Police Force.
“My first husband Tony was in the police force, and when I look back that would have been the big influence in later years. Oh man I loved it,” she answered with a laugh when asked.
“Being aware of my height-or lack of it – I didn’t hold back, I just had to go for it, and because of my attitude they realised I was always dead serious; so it was all good from there on. I was to spend the next 16 years and six months in the force, and as I said I loved it.”
At the time I retired, I was a plainclothes member of Child Protection Investigation Unit based in Noosa. It was pretty daunting stuff, but very rewarding. Some experiences will stay with me forever.
If there is one thing I learnt from those years – raising kids is the most vital role; we all must take responsibility for the safety and welfare of our kids – we just can’t leave it to the police. Get them more involved in the world around them; the sporting arena is a good place to start. They must learn what it is like to be part of something of which they can take part ownership.”
For Lexie, her commitment with the Pirates Rugby League Club started when her two sons Nick and Mitch joined the juniors. They played in the juniors, then played under-18 and under-20.
“They were happy times, the parents were great people, so it was good for both the boys and I. By 2009, they were old enough, so I thought why not keep doing what I liked, so I went into the senior club.”
On moving into the seniors, Lexie started helping in whatever way she could.
“One thing that I will always remember from those days was meeting a lovely lady called Clare Robinson. Clare and I have been great friends ever since, and have worked together a lot. I am very proud that now we are both lady life members. Clare is just one of the many great ladies who are loyal to the Pirates.”
Lexie’s move into the senior club was the period known among some of the old hands as the golden years.
“Chris O’Grady was president, and his wife Sue, secretary; add to that the legendary Noel Goldthorpe was coach. As coach, Goldie took us to three premierships. However, the thing that really steadied the ship was the great work of Chris and Sue. They led us through some tough times. Both finished their careers as life members of Pirates and rightly so.”
So outstanding was their contribution to the club that some three years ago, the management committee instigated the O’Grady Medal, the award that goes to the most outstanding Pirate of the year.
“To win this you have to stand head and shoulders above all others; if there is no such person, then it is not awarded-and rightly so. That will tell you the prestige of this award,” Lexie said.
Following the O’Grady era, the Pirates went through a tough period and finding enough players to field an A grade team presented a major problem.
Efforts were made to field a team by combining with Gympie were not successful, and efforts in 2016 to stand alone left a lot to be desired. However, in preparing for the 2017 season massive changes began to occur.
‘’For a long time,” said Lexie, “the Christensen family had played a major role in the club with six actually becoming life members. Then at the AGM, three of the life members were elected to office; Greg was elected president, Ben deputy president and Gary treasurer. Then big changes started to occur. That meeting had a good feeling as there were other life members present, and you could feel the vibes; we had our pride back.
“However, it was still hard, we had slipped so far; at one time during the year, we had to forfeit. There were some weeks when we were forever on the phone digging up players and support. But our A grade coach Ron Greentree, along with our president met with Falcons CEO James Ward and with outstanding support from Falcons and players, we stabilised. Ron’s input as coach was outstanding; he and his support staff really created a feeling of pride and team spirit. As secretary, I could not only see it, but also feel it.
The magnificent effort of all our people came through; coaches, players, medics, administrators, bar staff and very important, our sponsors, all stood together. Then came the impossible; Pirates were in the grand finals. That was when the Pirate pride really shone through- because we won.”
For Lexie working with such people had, in her words, been a privilege.
“My first marriage didn’t work, so as good mates we happily went our separate ways. My husband of now Jamie, who works in the Oil and Gas Industry and can’t get to the games, said a premiership plus a life membership would be a great way to retire; but with a great club filled with life members and great friends– who knows.”
A community is only as good as its people, and good people always give back. The contribution of Lexie Mawn as a police officer (protection and welfare of our children) plus her endless years in sporting administration should be both acknowledged and saluted.
