Orange Emus Rugby Club’s hardworking volunteer Clive Walker was given a well-deserved nod of thanks for all his efforts last month, treated to tickets to the Bledisloe Cup match at Sydney’s Olympic Park and presented with a Wallabies jersey of his own.

For more than two decades, rugby-loving Clive has steadfastly maintained the grounds at Emu’s Endeavour Oval and is literally a fixture at the club; the maintenance shed bearing the name “Walker’s Workshop.”

Clive was one of five grassroots volunteers from across Australia given recognition at the Sydney rugby match, part of Australian rugby sponsor Cadbury’s Give a Cheer to a Volunteer campaign.

While Clive insists that he’s just part of a team, Emus Rugby Club committee member Keryn Phillips said he does so much more, not only the grounds but also organising fundraisers like the recent ‘Old Boys’ charity rugby match at Spring Hill.

“When Eugowra was flooded, he and a couple of the other guys went out there with meat and drinks donated by Emus and barbecued every day for about two weeks to feed all the poor people that had no houses,” Keryn added.

“I was Junior president for eight years, and Clive was always helpful to me. He does everything and anything that you ask him to do.

“We’ve got two awards, a junior and a senior award for the highest points scorer, that he and his brother both donated and are named after. And the shed is the Walker's Workshop, that's named after him… He's one of a group, yes, but he also does a whole lot more.”
In fact, when Keryn called Clive to tell him he was off to the Bledisloe, he initially refused as he was organising the Barry Winnell Give Me Change for Kids Charity Fundraiser the following day.

“He said to me, ‘I don't think I deserve this, I don't do enough to deserve this,’ and even after the game, he said, ‘I'm still so embarrassed.’ That’s the guy he is, and that's why he deserves it, in my opinion,” Keryn said. 

As reluctant as he was to be singled out, Clive was still moved by the recognition, even though he insisted it wasn’t a big thing.

“I talked to my sister in New Zealand this morning, and she said I should lap it up while I’ve got the opportunity,” Clive joked.

“I don't know… I get a bit teary over it, actually. You never know with something like this whether someone else that's done more than me is going to be upset ‘cause it wasn't them, you know? I guess I’m pretty easygoing, and I just get on, do what I gotta do.” 

Clive, who turns 82 in January, is not only active off the field but still puts on the boots every winter with the Orange Emus ‘Old Boys’ side, the Emulators. Since 2006, he has travelled with the Emulators to every one of the biennial Golden Oldies world rugby festivals.

Having got his first taste of rugby playing in a barefoot primary school league in New Zealand, there haven’t been too many years since Clive hasn’t stepped onto the field in the seven decades since.

“It's just… so many friends you make,” Clive said, as to what he likes about volunteering for the club.

“So many of the young guys, they all know you and they respect you.  I go to a rugby match in Cowra and people will walk up to you and say g'day… I  go to the kids’ presentation night and most of the parents know you. I could be sitting at home doing the gardening, but this is a hell of a lot more fun!”