Narrabri Shire Council will rename Cooma Oval in honour of the late Mr Col Stanford if Mr Stanford’s family agrees.
Tuesday’s meeting of the council considered a request from a Narrabri resident for a bronze statue to be erected in memory of Mr Stanford, but after consideration council did not adopt the suggestion.
However, following a motion from Cr Robyn Faber, council will offer to rename Cooma Oval in recognition of Mr Stanford’s support and encouragement of generations of Narrabri athletes and sportspeople.
Cr Faber said the renaming of the oval met all the criteria of the council’s naming policy. The current name ‘Cooma’ related to the road and did not reflect recognition of any individual.
Cr Faber, supported in the motion by Cr Ron Lowder, said Mr Stanford had helped many junior sportspeople over many years. Many had gone on to high levels of competition achievement under his tutelage.
The location of signage or a plaque denoting ‘Col Stanford Oval’ will be discussed if the approval for the move is given.
Cr Faber suggested that if the council tribute was accepted, an appropriate ceremony with members of the Stanford family should be held to mark the re-naming of the oval.
OBITUARY
Colin Bruce Stanford, July 20, 1932-January 5, 2015
Colin Bruce Stanford was born on July 20, 1932 at Boggabri.
His parents were Amos and Florence Stanford and he was the sixth of their nine children.
Two of his brothers, Arthur and Bob Stanford still live in Narrabri.
Col grew up in a typical country environment where values of strong work ethics, commitments, mateship, honesty and loyalty to family and friends were instilled.
They were a very close family, often up to mischief, but still very considerate of each other’s needs.
Arthur and Bob recalled that all of their siblings had daily chores.
They all worked together as a team and were in big trouble if they didn’t complete their allocated chores … all except for Colin because even though his father was quite an athlete himself, he couldn’t catch Col.
Col was quite an accomplished athlete from an early age and was a NSW Country Champion in sprinting events. He was always fit, played footy, cycled and excelled as a runner and sprinter.
Col represented country in the City verses Country Origin.
Rugby league was a big part of Col’s life where he made life-long friends.
Col was part of the team that won the 1955 premiership and his speed and agility made him a very handy winger.
Col scored three tries to help seal a win against Moree in the Spicer Cup and was always there for the team.
Adrenalin was pumping in one match when he awkwardly rolled onto the ball when scoring.
His wrist felt uncomfortable but unperturbed, he remained on the field and helped Narrabri gain victory.
The next day Col had his wrists checked and was told he had broken both of them which were plastered for a number of weeks.
Col relocated to Sydney and played for Western Suburbs but was terribly homesick for his family and at Easter 1956 came home to visit and didn’t return to Sydney until later.
Col always said the best day of his life was the day he met a pretty little red-headed school teacher from Mudgee Pam Welsh.
Their instant attraction was enhanced by their love of dancing and what a phenomenal pair they were on the dance floor.
Pam and Col married in Sydney in 1959 and Pam fondly remembers on the first day of their honeymoon they went to watch a rugby league game. Col was coaching Rugby League in Sydney at the time.
Daughters Karen and Lyn were both born in Sydney, however they both yearned for country life and when they returned to Narrabri, Brad and Tracey were born.
Col and Pam’s love for their children has been unconditional and they always encouraged their children to follow their dreams, work hard and be kind and went to great lengths to make sure their needs were met, often sacrificing their own.
Col and Pam were equally as proud of their grandchildren’s achievements and loved regular contact with them.
Col always finished his calls with “keep running fast so the boys don’t catch you.”
The grandchildren fondly remember how Col made each of them feel so special.
This quality was extended to other close family friends and Col was known as “Poppy” to many.
The Narrabri community was Col’s life and in his eyes, there was no town quite like it in the rest of Australia.
When Narrabri was named the Sportiest town Col was quoted as saying “well of course Narrabri won … which other town can you name that is has been as successful as Narrabri?”
Col thrived on supporting community events and fundraising to improve the town’s facilities.
It was rather fitting that the last two public events that Col and Pam attended were a dinner with the Lights Committee and presentation of Sports Awards for Narrabri Public School for which he was patron for many years, but were sorry they were too unwell to attend St Xavier’s presentation night.
Participating in the 2000 Olympic Torch Relay was one of Col’s most treasured memories.
Coaching Steve Duncan and travelling with him to attend the 1995 World Transplant Games in Manchester was another event Col enjoyed immensely.
The trip was made even more special as Pam was able to travel with Col and he was asked to be the coach of the Australian Athletics Team for the Transplant games, a huge achievement for a humble man from a small country town.
Col received many prestigious awards during his lifetime, including the Joblink Plus Narrabri Shire Sportsperson for 2009, for lifetime sporting achievements and in the year of the 2000 Olympics was awarded an Australian medal by Queen Elizabeth II for sporting achievements.
Although Col wasn’t into accolades, his family were all very proud of his achievements and this recognition.
Col’s life-long love of sport and dedication to sharing his skills and techniques have spanned over five decades.
He has encouraged, trained and coached young athletes to try their utmost to reach their full potential and nothing gave him more pleasure than a phone call after an event to update him on their results.
Col’s legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of all those he has touched.
As unwell as Col was, he was absolutely determined to complete his 50 years of helping out with sport in Narrabri, a goal his family believe kept him going.
Col was so proud of his athletes, whether they improved their personal best times or made it to Nationals, he was equally encouraging and strongly believed that everyone should be treated equally and that they live a balanced life.
Col is survived by his wife Pam and children Lyn Colwell, Karen McKay, Brad Stanford and Tracey McFarlane and their families and brothers Arthur and Bob Stanford.