DESCRIBED by many as the “mayor of Murrabit”, the late Vince Maher has been given a lasting honour.
The near 60-year contribution of the four-time Murrabit football premiership player was celebrated on March 21 with the recreation reserve re-named the Vince Maher Recreation Reserve.
A crowd represented family, community and the many groups and clubs that he worked tirelessly for, including the tennis club, football and netball club and the cricket club.
Mr Maher died in November 2023, leaving a void in the small township.
He arrived in Murrabit at 24 years of age when his parents bought the post office in 1960.
Murrabit Recreation Reserve committee of management secretary Stephen O’Donoghue said the committee, football, netball, tennis, cricket clubs and the Men’s Shed have been in discussion for some time on how to acknowledge Mr Maher’s contribution to the Murrabit Recreation Reserve.
“Vince was always drifting in and out of the rec in his Ford panel van, Nissan van, and in more recent times, the red Mitsubishi,” Mr O’Donoghue said.
“About this time of day, we would always see Vince pass through these gates to do one of his many tasks – including chatting to the campers.
“At least on one of these occasions, he was seen chatting to the police – apparently Vince didn’t always wear his seat belt.”
Mr O’Donoghue said if something was happening at the reserve, Mr Maher was involved.
“There is an old saying, ‘No one knows what I do until I don’t do it anymore’,” he sad.
“Well, there are now about seven people who do all the many jobs that Vince used to just get done.”
Mr Maher was a member of the recreation reserve committee since 1962, including 47 years as president.
Shelley Maher spoke on behalf of the family, saying Vince was “a community man” and everything he did was to “build community”.
“He was a visionary who recognised the importance of creating a space or precinct encompassing various sporting and community facilities to ensure everyone could find a place to belong,” she said.
“Vince’s loyalty, dedication and commitment to the organisations and clubs to which he belonged was unparalleled.
“He didn’t ask for accolades, he just jumped in and got the job done because he loved being involved and helping out.”
Ms Maher said Vince’s wife, Gwen, was known to suggest that he might like to take his bed over to the complex.
“Returning home to Murrabit, I feel proud that members of this community continue to see the importance of volunteerism and contributing beyond themselves,” Ms Maher said.
Visionary Vince
• Played from 1960-1975 (150 games, including four premierships)
• Coached reserves to two premierships during the 1960s
• Head trainer from 1976-2022
• Committee member from 1963-2023
• Murrabit Football Netball Club life member
• Winner of the sports focus award in 2000
• Winner of the Golden Rivers league Les Pay memorial award in 2004
• WorkSafe country football legend in 2009
• AFL volunteer of the year in 2009
• Golden Rivers league life member in 2011
