Sheron’s contribution and work will be missed

BY ALF WILSON

Amongst the major highlights during the past eight years for departing Cairns-based QRL rugby league official Sheron McDougall has been her involvement with Allblacks carnivals in the Torres Strait, NPA and Cape York.

Sheron is leaving the Far North to take up a role with NRL NT in Darwin, with a pocket full of golden memories of Remote Areas Rugby League, and the wonderful volunteers of the game and unique environments, communities and experiences she has enjoyed.

They have included several trips to Waiben for numerous Zenadth Kes carnivals, to

Bamaga for the Dan Ropeyarn NPA Cup and Queensland Cup matches, to Weipa for Cape Cluster games, and to Hopevale for the John Bowen Memorial Carnival.

“I have been very fortunate to have the opportunity to be involved with the annual Far North Indigenous carnivals,” she said. “I started attending carnivals when I was Operations Manager with the Northern Pride, with one of many highlights the 2011 Queensland Cup game played at Yusia Oval in Bamaga between Northern Pride and Souths Logan.

“I joined the QRL at Cairns in 2014 and along with Area Managers, Dave Maiden and Robbie Moore, and NRL and QRL staff travelled to carnivals, cluster games and events throughout the Cape supporting local hosting organisations.”

Sheron said the carnivals were amazing events with families coming together to play and support their teams, and their focus on healthy lifestyles and community engagement.

“They also provide the opportunity for all Rugby League stakeholders, NRL and QRL staff, referees and medical staff to support the local Rugby League organisations and gain valuable experience,” she said. “The COVID pandemic briefly disrupted the carnival season but the interest and participation in 2022 events was strong and I expect them to grow and develop further in 2023.”

She was well known and highly respected throughout the region and has always been helpful to the Torres News in providing information and detailed results.

Long time referee and touch judge Rod “Hairy” McCrae praised Sheron for her contribution to rugby league in the region.

“The administration work she has done was gold and she organized everything from travel for teams and players to recording results,” he said.

“She will be a big loss and whoever takes her job has big shoes to fill.”

The 75-year-old Hairy said he had seen Sheron hard at work many times at Thursday Island, Bamaga, Weipa, Cooktown, Hopevale, Normanton and other places where she put in long days at carnivals.

“She also used to be with Cairns Club Kangaroos with her husband Robert before the Northern Pride days and is known throughout the region and even further away,” Hairy said.

Sheron left her Cairns role on February 15.