It’s World Blood Donor Day. Our Lifeblood team has already saved 30 lives this year through blood and plasma donations!
Countless Aussies rely on blood donations everyday. In fact, 1 in 3 will need a blood donation blood in their lifetime. That’s about 53 of our netball and football players!
Making a blood donation is a simple and powerful way to help others. Each donation can save up to three lives and takes just 10 minutes of your time. Imagine the difference you could make by becoming a regular donor.
Join us in supporting the NFNL’s Big Freeze Round this weekend in support of Fight MND.
Currently there are more than 2,000 Australians living with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) with an average life expectancy of just 27 months from diagnosis.
Actions speak louder than words. So this weekend, let’s flood the sidelines in blue, wearing Big Freeze socks and beanies, available for purchase at your local supermarket.
You’re also encouraged to donate to Fight MND. Every donation brings us one step closer to a cure, so team up with us for Big Freeze 10 and DO your bit.
We’re once again participating in the TAC Club Rewards program! This initiative not only promotes important conversations about road safety but also gives us the opportunity to earn up to $10,000 for our club.
This year, the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) is placing a strong emphasis on discussing the dangers of speeding on Victoria’s roads. Speeding remains a leading cause of road accidents, and by raising awareness, we can all contribute to making our roads safer.
We need your support to make this campaign a success. Here’s how you can get involved:
Slow down on the roads: Whether you’re driving to training, a game, or just running errands, remember to adhere to speed limits. Your careful driving can save lives.
Engage with our social media content: Follow St Mary’s on social media and actively engage with our posts about road safety. Like, comment, and share these posts to spread the message far and wide.
Start conversations: Talk to your friends and family about the importance of road safety. Every conversation can make a difference.
You’re invited to our annual Bottomless Brunch! Come and enjoy experience featuring unlimited beer, wine, sparkling, Pimms, and a cocktail. Plus, a variety of hot and cold food and delicious desserts.
Participate in our silent auction and bid on amazing items such as a comedy night experience and a paint & sip event, or tickets to The Boy from Oz!
All of this is available for just $65 per person! This fantastic deal promises a day filled with laughter, great food, and endless drinks, while also helping raise funds for the Club you love.
Today marks the start of National Reconciliation Week.
The theme for 2024 – Now More Than Ever – is a reminder to all of us that no matter what, the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will and must continue.
Despite moments of division, disengagement isn’t an option. With 6.2 million YES votes, commitment to better outcomes for First Nations people is evident.
We need to tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation.
Reconciliation demands action—calling out racism, supporting Indigenous voices, pursuing treaty-making, truth-telling, historical understanding, education, and anti-racism efforts. We challenge everyone in our St Mary’s community to stand up and start taking these actions.
Now, more than ever, we need connection, respect, action and change to achieve reconciliation.
In celebration of National Volunteer Week, we spoke with Kym Irvine whose been volunteer at St Mary’s for 31 years and counting.
Kym’s journey with St Mary’s began back in 1993 when his son took his first steps onto the field as a Tacker. In those early days Kym found himself involved in many roles. From serving as a runner for the Tackers to Under 12s, to coaching for the Under 13s, 14s, 15s, and Colts 2, even winning a few premierships!
But his contributions weren’t confined to the field. He spent 7 years on the Junior Committee, including a term as President from 2001-2003, coinciding with the Club’s 30th anniversary. Even after stepping back from leadership roles, Kym remained involved, working behind the bar on Sunday nights. His and wife Robyn’s dedication was rightfully recognised with Life Membership in 2003.
As the Senior Club took shape, Kym jumped into to help, eager to pave the way for junior players to continue playing with their mates. Thus, it’s no surprise he took on Senior Coach in 2010 and 2011 and Football Manager from 2015-2016. Even today, today, you’ll still find him at the heart of the action, stationed with his mates running the famous Blue Oyster Bar during every home game.
As for what keeps him coming back – Kym reflects on the fulfilment feels. “Seeing young players grow from Tackers to senior footballers, knowing you’ve played a part in their journey, that’s what keeps me coming back year after year,” Kym shared.
Reflecting on his decades-long journey with St Mary’s, Kym has countless memorable moments. Among his favourites he highlights the Under 13 and Under 14 junior premierships, the Reserves three-peat, the Senior Premiership and being elevated to Division 2 in record time, and our first ever Club Premiership coming from the netball team.
Yet, it’s the sense of community that truly resonates with Kym. “Volunteering at St Mary’s isn’t just about footy: it’s about being part of something bigger, a community that supports and uplifts each other.”
He’s also been proud for paving the way for the Club to grow, with the opening of the new clubrooms and seeing the evolution to include a women’s team.
Through his selfless dedication, Kym has helped shape the lives of countless players who have had the privilege of calling St Mary’s their home.
“St Mary’s isn’t just a club; it’s a family. The friendships formed here, the memories created, they’re what make it all worthwhile,” Kym shared.
To mark National Volunteer Week, we spoke with Wayne Mace, whose volunteer journey with St Mary’s spans three decades.
Reflecting on his early days, Wayne fondly recalls, “My kids, Liam and Sean, started at St Mary’s Junior Club in 1994, and from there, our involvement just grew. Liz and I jumped in to lend a hand wherever we could.” What began as parental support soon turned evolved into playing a big part in the club’s success.
From manning the bar on Friday and Sunday nights to grilling burgers at Sunday BBQs, Wayne was always on hand to help. He even took on the role of permanent boundary umpire until the league provided them, and painted the goal posts at Whatmough Park.
In 1997, Wayne joined the committee, serving as President for two consecutive years from 1999, before handing it over to his mate Kym Irvine.
Even after his sons moved on from football in 2001, Wayne continued contributing to the junior club, working on the bar with Kym and Rodney Johnson. His dedication earned him Life Membership in 2002.
As the Senior Club finally took shape in 2009, Wayne’s commitment continued. “We didn’t have a home ground at first, so I’d haul equipment in my ute from ground to ground,” he recalls.
Of course, his most known contribution is the iconic Blue Oyster Can Bar, established in the first season, although without its famous name. Today, Wayne still mans the bar, now joined by Kym and Rodney Johnson. What was once just Wayne grabbing a few slabs of beers for the dads, is now a staple at home games, providing valuable income for the Club.
“The name ‘Blue Oyster Bar’ came about when I sponsored Ryan Pieper as a player sponsor – we took the name from the Police Academy movies!” Wayne explained with a grin.
His involvement did extend beyond the bar, serving on the Senior Club Committee and even taking on the role of Treasurer for two years. “Stepping away from committee work was a tough decision,” he admits, “but I felt it was time for new perspectives.”
In 2023, Wayne and his wife Liz were honoured with Senior Club Life Membership, a fitting tribute to their commitment. “Our involvement began with our boys, but it’s grown into so much more,” Wayne reflects. “Although neither of our sons even played at the Senior Club, we’ve made lifelong friends and cherished memories along the way. That’s what volunteering is all about.”
Volunteers like them are the heart of our community and the backbone of our success; without volunteers, we don’t have a club.
In the spirit of this year’s theme, ‘Something for Everyone,’ we hope more people explore opportunities to volunteer at our Club. Your involvement ensures there’s always a place that you, your kids, partners, and friends can come together to enjoy sports and create lasting memories.
Today marks the beginning of National Volunteer Week, a time to shine a spotlight on the incredible work of volunteers who make such a difference in our community.
Whether you’re involved in game day management, event planning or cooking meals, your contributions are truly appreciated.
But this week isn’t just about recognising current volunteers; it’s also about inviting others to join our currently small community of helpers.
The theme for this year, ‘Something for Everyone,’ emphasises that there’s a volunteering role suited for everyone.
Whether you’re passionate about footy, netball, or something else, there’s a place for you to make a difference at St Mary’s. Remember, without volunteers, our club wouldn’t exist.
Club President Mark Stanley, shares our gratitude for volunteers.
“Volunteers are the heart and soul of our club, without them, we wouldn’t be where we are today. Their commitment is the driving force behind our success, and we are forever grateful for their tireless efforts.”
“On behalf of the Club, I’d like to pass on a big thank you to our selfless volunteers. Your hard work and passion have made a real difference at St Mary’s, and we are grateful for your ongoing support.”
SMFNC 