It has been a term of seven good years, including four premierships, for the Forster Tuncurry Dolphins with Damian Daczko an industrious, working-man president, and the rugby union club saw no reason for change at its annual general meeting.
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Daczko, a prominent Great Lakes businessman, was re-elected president without opposition for his eighth successive year.
A 100-game rugby veteran of Hawkesbury Valley club in outer Sydney as lock or prop forward as a young man, Daczko succeeded Stephen Bromhead as the club’s third president since rugby’s revival in the Great Lakes in 2004.
At the heart of the Dolphins’ rebirth was the former dual Auckland and Sydney representative flanker, the late Bruce Greensill, who settled in Forster following advice that his wife, Lorraine, needed a change to a warmer climate. Bruce became the club’s first president.
It was Mr Bromhead, now National Party State representative in the Myall Lakes electorate, however, who was the driving force in the construction of the Dolphins’ splendid clubhouse.
But as club leader, moderator, registrar and financial watch-dog, none surpassed “Damo”.
Losing twice to the Wallamba Bulls this winter, including a 14-15 loss in the grand final, were bitter pills to swallow after four successive premierships although Mr Daczko conceded it was desirable for the trophies to be shared in any competition.
More disturbingly, he pointed out the “retention problem” of keeping players within the Lower Mid North Coast area without more employment opportunities and the difficulty limiting a healthy first grade competition without a reserve grade or under-19 team for emerging youths.
The Dolphins were unfortunate to lose two vital officials in vice-president and former Penrith first grade hooker, Mark Coble, who stood down from all positions due to new employment travel obligations, as well as former top-class Warringah prop, Paul Drake, the club’s forward coach.
The Dolphins’ head coach this season, Ron Rae, is expected to stand again next season, but as is the club’s annual custom, the position will be advertised.
Much-travelled Scott Bradbrook, 34, initially an Australian Rules player in Victoria and South Australia as a stock and station agent although more recently a rugby union backrower until leg injuries ended his playing career, joins Chris Edwards and Ben Manning as the Dolphins’ third vice-president.
Life member Sue Hobbs and husband Gerard will continue the Herculean role as club secretaries, World Cup hero Nick Farr-Jones and Stephen Bromhead remain club patrons, Lee Crozier as treasurer, Jonathan Paff as registrar and Adrian Johnson as medical officer.
The club was a hive of activity last Saturday with a splendid Golden Oldies carnival held for 130 players from the Manning-Great Lakes, South West Rocks, Port Macquarie, Avoca Beach, Moree, Central Coast Seagulls, Nelsons Bay, Collaroy and Raymond Terrace.
