Life Members of Northern Star Hockey Club 

Life Membership to any organisation is not an easy to achieve. The Northern Star Hockey Club is no exception to this rule.

However our Club, more so than normal, has been fortunate to have had a multitude of tireless workers through the years which have helped shape the Club to what it is today – one of the largest, most competitive and best run sporting clubs in Northern New South Wales. Because the club has been blessed with so many dedicated members over the years, it is therefore very difficult to stand out as someone who has “given that little bit extra”. It is entirely for this reason that the Club has only awarded 16 Life Memberships throughout its glorious 92 year history.

Herb Everingham (1955)

 As one of our founding members, Herb recognised the need to give his workmates a common interest outside of work. Herb wore the black and white of Northern Star in the very first game played by the Club as Vice-Captain, and continued to play for the Club until the outbreak of World War II. Herb later went on to captain the Club and Far North Coast teams on many occasions, and was an astute coach. Having also held a number of executive positions, Herb’s outstanding contribution to the Club was recognised in 1955 with Life Membership.

Mert Humbley (1955)

 Mert was bestowed Life Membership of the Club in 1955 and like Herb, was a foundation member and later a President of the Club for a number of years. Mert also played a role as a founding member of the first Far North Coast representative team, and was later honoured with Life Memberships of the Far North Coast Hockey Association and NSW Hockey Association. As a further nod to Mert’s contribution to hockey on the Far North Coast, in 1976 the Lismore City Council changed the name of what was then the main hockey field in Lismore to Humbley Oval.

Gus Jolley (1965)

Gus began playing for Coraki in 1939 and transferred to Northern Star in 1948; since which time it is conservatively estimated that Gus played in more than 2000 games for the Club. Gus held the position of secretary for a number of years before taking on the role of President in 1965, and served the Club in this capacity until 1982 – a period of 17 successive years. In addition to being awarded Life Membership of the Club in 1965, in 1974 the Far North Coast Men’s Hockey Association bestowed life membership on Gus as a tribute to the service he had given the greater hockey community in this region.

Ray Booth (1972)

 Ray was a member of the Club’s very first junior boys in 1956. Progressing quickly through the ranks, Ray was soon in the Club’s A Grade team where he played the majority of his hockey, gaining Far North Coast representation on numerous occasions. He was the recipient of the “Club Man of the Year” Award in 1968 in recognition of his work for the Club. Ray was assistant secretary for 12 years and treasurer for a number of years. Ray was awarded Life Membership of the Club in 1972.

Eddie Browning (1973)

Eddie joined the club in 1963 and held the position of secretary for the majority of the late 1960’s and the 1970’s. Due to his incredibly loyal and unstinting contribution to the Club, Eddie was awarded Life Membership in 1973 despite at that stage only having been a member of the Club for 10 years. Eddie was also bestowed Life Membership of the Far North Coast Junior Hockey Association in 1974.

Les Hancock (1973)

Les joined the club in 1961 after having played with the Casino club for 3 years, and went on to captain both the B Grade and Reserve Grade teams for many years as well as serving as a selector. Les twice won the “Club Man of the Year” Award – in 1967 and 1972, at that time being the only member to achieve such a distinction. For many years Les devoted his time and attention to fostering and coaching junior players, which was recognised by the Club when Les was awarded Life Membership in 1973.

Danny McCombe (1979)

 Danny McCombe and John Gibson were together awarded Life Memberships by the Club due to the unselfish amount of work they so willingly volunteered to the Club. Both Danny and John worked constantly with the junior teams and significantly improved the Club’s financial capacity through the running of raffles and other functions. Danny McCombe, or better known too many as Duxie, was awarded the “Club Man of the Year” in 1969 and Life Membership in 1979.

John Gibson (1979)

 John started playing with Northern Star in 1964 and gained the “Best and Fairest” Men’s U18 award. John also had the honour of being the hockey representative at the “Sportsman of the Year” ball in 1976. Both John and Danny worked constantly with the junior teams and significantly improved the Club’s financial capacity through the running of raffles and other functions. John was awarded the “Club Man of the Year” in 1971 and Life Membership in 1979.

Paul Newman (1984)

 Paul Newman was the Club’s next recipient of Life Membership in 1984. Paul’s Life Membership was awarded largely in recognition for his work as the architect behind the Club’s development of minkey hockey (junior players under 5 years of age), and for his general devotion the Club’s junior players. Paul was President of the Club in 1983 and 1984 and won the “Club Man of the Year” Award in 1981.

Roy Hughes (1985)

 Roy was awarded Life Membership in 1985 for his involvement with the Club’s juniors, having been President and Manager of the juniors for many years. Roy provided exceptional assistance to the Club over many years, in particular the many hours of effort spent in maintaining and running the Club’s hockey club house. It was nothing for Roy to spend each Saturday down at the hockey fields, and the Club is forever thankful to Roy for his devotion.

Heather Lickiss (1987)

 1987 saw a little piece of history made in our Club when the three “Graham” sisters were awarded Life Membership. Heather (Lickiss) and Jean (Pearson) were instrumental in reforming the women’s teams back in 1967 and two years later Gloria (McPherson) returned to the area to become a member. Over the years they have played a major part in building the Club, taking on positions of Treasurer, Secretary, Assistant Treasurer, Selectors and Committee members. They have all received “Club Woman of the Year” awards and have coached teams from the junior ranks through to the senior teams.

Jean Pearson (1987)

 1987 saw a little piece of history made in our Club when the three “Graham” sisters were awarded Life Membership. Heather (Lickiss) and Jean (Pearson) were instrumental in reforming the women’s teams back in 1967 and two years later Gloria (McPherson) returned to the area to become a member. Over the years they have played a major part in building the Club, taking on positions of Treasurer, Secretary, Assistant Treasurer, Selectors and Committee members. They have all received “Club Woman of the Year” awards and have coached teams from the junior ranks through to the senior teams.

Gloria McPherson (1987)

1987 saw a little piece of history made in our Club when the three “Graham” sisters were awarded Life Membership. Heather (Lickiss) and Jean (Pearson) were instrumental in reforming the women’s teams back in 1967 and two years later Gloria (McPherson) returned to the area to become a member. Over the years they have played a major part in building the Club, taking on positions of Treasurer, Secretary, Assistant Treasurer, Selectors and Committee members. They have all received “Club Woman of the Year” awards and have coached teams from the junior ranks through to the senior teams.

Norm Godwin (1992)

In 1992 the honour of Life Membership was bestowed on Max Beddow and Norm Godwin. Both Max and Norm have played an important part in the control and running of the Club over the years, with Norm being Treasurer in 1979 and 1980 and then again from 1982 until 1990. When our President stood down in 1995 Norm took over in 1996. Both Max and Norm have played an integral role in the Club’s C Grade Men’s Team having guided many of the Club’s young players making the transition from junior hockey through to the senior ranks.

Max Beddow (1992)

In 1992 the honour of Life Membership was bestowed on Max Beddow and Norm Godwin. Both Max and Norm have played an important part in the control and running of the Club over the years, with Max being Secretary from 1978 to 1984, and then President from 1985 until 1990, a combined period of 12 successive years. Both Max and Norm have played an integral role in the Club’s C Grade Men’s Team having guided many of the Club’s young players making the transition from junior hockey through to the senior ranks.

Wendy Trudgeon (1997)

Wendy was recruited to the club by Heather Lickiss in 1973, and has contributed much during her time with the Club, having coached junior and high school hockey teams, developed Minkey hockey, umpired, and served as a selector. Wendy held the position of Treasurer from 1998 to 2002, and has served as President of the Women’s Committee and as a Board Member of the Far North Coast Hockey Association. Wendy also enjoyed Representative honours for the Association and NSW Veterans, and was awarded Life Membership of the Club in 1997.

Paul Leadbeatter (2000)

Life Membership was bestowed to Paul in 2000, who in addition to being a long serving player for many years has held numerous positions within the Club including Coach, Selector, Treasurer and Vice President. Paul has also won the “Clubman of the Year” award on 4 occasions. Paul has also made a significant contribution to the Far North Coast Hockey Association and is the longstanding President of the Far North Coast Men’s Association. Paul has also enjoyed representative honours for the Association, NSW and Australian Veterans.

John Power (2002)

At the Club’s 75th Anniversary in 2002 John Power was inducted to join the prestigious ranks of Life Membership. John joined the Club in 1975 and became a dedicated hard worker in all facets of the Club. John was Club Trainer for 5 years and coached junior teams for 5 years before becoming the A Grade Women’s Coach for a number of years. John served as Club President for 6 years which saw him lead the Club through a sustained period of growth.

Shaun McGuiness (2011)

Shaun joined the Club as a junior and progressed through the ranks to become one of the most capped players ever to wear the black and white. During his many years with the Club, Shaun has served as a coach, selector, club patron and mentor to younger players as they make the transition from juniors through to the senior ranks. Shaun has been awarded “Club Man of the Year” award on 2 occasions, in 1993 and 2005. Shaun (or Spider to his mates) was awarded Life Membership in 2011 in recognition of his lifetime of service and loyalty to the Club.

Bill Dunn 

Chris Slade (2019)