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RUGBY league legend Noel Cleal and his partner Michele Roche are digging deep for their new community of Pappinbarra following the catastrophic fires of February 12.
Affectionately known as “Crusher” by any rugby league fan, Cleal is a true blue, Aussie rugby league legend.
He purchased 120 acres of Pappinbarra land late last year after his retirement from his off-field role as recruitment manager for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
After the fires, in which they lost kilometres of wooden fences, Cleal decided to use his pulling power in NRL circles to raise as much funds as possible for the RFS in Beechwood, and hopefully enough to aid other RFS stations in town.
A raffle is underway, which will be drawn at the Beechwood Hotel on Friday, March 31. There will also be an auction.
Tickets are $5 each and can be purchased by calling into Wauchope Rural Centre, Hastings Hotel, Macquarie Hotel, Beechwood Pub, MSV Valuers in Wauchope, and Transit Auto in Wauchope.
Alternatively, people can go to the Facebook page, Beechwood Bush Fire Brigade Fundraiser, and send a message.
“We have had people help us, and I asked one guy why they wanted to help us for free,” Cleal said.
“He said, “because that’s just how we do it around here”. That’s just the nature of the joint, the glue that holds the hold community together.”
Michele and their friend, Chrissy Jones, came up with the idea of doing something for the community and it has blossomed in a matter of days.
“With my contacts in the NRL, particularly at the top level, I figured I would get some stuff to auction off to raise money for the RFS,” Cleal said.
Those items include two tickets for the 2017 NRL grand final, several signed jerseys and tickets to the State of Origin.
“There has been a lot of support from people for this community,” Cleal said.
“I want to stress, this is not about us. This is about everyone else, not us. It has had a big impact on everyone. We only lost a few fences. We aren’t looking for handouts whatsoever.
“We want to make sure that everyone knows this is to benefit the community. I can’t pay enough tributes to what Michele and Chrissy have done.”
Several former players will attend Cleal’s property to mend the fences, including Charlie Haggert, Wayne Honeywood, Ian Martin, Les Cleal and Kane Cleal.
“There has been so much community support, even without this fundraiser,” Cleal said.
“We only just moved here but we are so happy to be a part of this community – that is overwhelming.”
Matt Attard
I was raised in Port Macquarie and consider myself a true Port local. I'm a die-hard rugby league fan and don't mind taking a photo or two. I'd love to hear from you, so please contact me at any time.
I was raised in Port Macquarie and consider myself a true Port local. I'm a die-hard rugby league fan and don't mind taking a photo or two. I'd love to hear from you, so please contact me at any time.
