Southern United Life Members and Legends Day welcome our latest life member Mark Gardiner

 On Saturday 23 July, we held our annual life members and legends day event at Farm Road.  We were joined by many life members and long term club stalwarts, together with Councillors Ron Brownlees and Geoff Gledhill and Hockey Victoria Chief Executive Officer Andrew Skillern.

 The highlight of the event was the award of life membership to Mark Gardiner.  Club President Roger Arnold highlighted Mark’s extraordinary contribution to the club; over 220 games as a player, the remarkable achievement of coaching sides for 25 years, together with acting as a selector and committee man.  Most of all, the Gardiner family are valued for their commitment and the way that they step in to help solve problems without waiting to be asked.  In responding, Mark paid tribute to his wife Deb, who had been Southern United’s junior administrator for an eight year period, brother Darren who had umpired for many years.  Mark also talked about his introduction to hockey through his parents Rob and Di who had given Mark a life-long appreciation that the club only works through the contributions of those from within.

 We were also proud that Mark’s name is added to our new Life Members honour board, provided with a generous donation from the Anderson family, following the passing of Len Anderson, a Moorabbin stalwart and son of Moorabbin life member Charlie Anderson.

 The other highlight was the magnificent luncheon provided by past players to whom we all give our thanks.  But special thanks are to our organisers; Gwen Leary, Sue Styles and Phoebe Willcock and our fabulous team in the canteen led by Tina Halls, and ably joined by Norma Campbell, another one of our life members , without whom such a great day could not be had.

 We would also like to thank our major sponsors for their input to the club; Helen Ward from McKenzie’s Foods, Ross Walker from RT Edgar and Warren Davey from Wojo Signs.