Sport
5 October, 2022
Robbie Jewell recognised
MORTLAKE’S Robbie Jewell was honoured last week with his name added to the social room at the Mortlake Recreation Reserve.
MORTLAKE’S Robbie Jewell was honoured last week with his name added to the social room at the Mortlake Recreation Reserve.
The honour was bestowed on Mr Jewell in surprise during a celebratory event last Friday, celebrating the range of upgrades completed at the Mortlake Recreation Reserve in recent years.
The social room will now be named the ‘Peter Delaney and Robert Jewell Social Room.’
Mortlake Recreation Reserve Committee deputy chairman Noel McConnell said Mr Jewell had been a backbone of local sport in Mortlake, chipping away across a diverse range of roles for decades.
“As a committee, we’re a little different to the sporting teams,” he said.
“We don’t get the opportunity to have life memberships, but at times we’re able to acknowledge a lifetime of achievement.
“Every now and again we get the chance to acknowledge someone else, and we now have the chance to acknowledge Robbie Jewell.
“I’d like to congratulate Robbie on having his name added to the social room.”
Mr McConnell said he met Mr Jewell for the first time on DC Farran Oval in round one of the Hampden Football League, 1974, when Terang played Mortlake.
“When you start to talk about people and their involvement, I went to some family who know Robbie pretty well,” he said.
“I asked my brother, who played footy for Mortlake, and he said as a young bloke around 17 or so, Robbie was one of the few senior players who went out of his way to make the young blokes feel welcome.
“It speaks to his character.”
Mr Jewell started playing for Mortlake in the under 16s. He notched up around 240 games, including a premiership in 1975.
“He then went on to be associated with the club when they amalgamated with the Western Lions, and continued on with the amalgamation of Terang-Mortlake,” Mr McConnell said.
“He’s a life member, has held too many positions to acknowledge, and has won numerous awards with the club – including number one ticket holder in 2021.
“He wasn’t just a footballer but he was a cricketer as well; and when Robbie was handed the ball in the nets, I was smart enough to find something else to do.
“A hearty congratulations, he’s a very worthy recipient of the honour and acknowledgement.”
Mr Jewell thanked the committee for the acknowledgement.
“It’s a privilege to have my name up here with my old mate Miles (Delaney),” he said.
“We only do it because we love it. We don’t have to, but we enjoy it.
“That’s why I’m still doing it.”