By Adrian Ceddia
IF there is a job to be done at Wyndhamvale Juniors Football Club, you can bet Lisa Caithness will be first in line.
It is this ever-willing attitude that has earned the tireless worker such a high standing in the club and the Western Region Football League.
Caithness was first drawn to Wyndhamvale Oval in the mid-1990s when her two sons joined the playing ranks, and it didn’t take her long to get involved in the club’s administration.
“Since then, it’s been my life. It’s my second home, and they’re all my family,” she said.
In total, Caithness has clocked up 12 years at Wyndhamvale Juniors and boasts eight years’ experience as a secretary, and this and last year as president. As well as her official duties, she is a regular in the canteen, pitches in with ordering and team managing and has even doubled as a scoreboard attendant and boundary umpire.
“You get in and help when you can,” she said “It’s the people and the kids. I just love to see the kids playing footy.”
Last year the club honoured Caithness by offering her life membership – a just reward for her consistent efforts in more than a decade, though it came as a complete shock to her.
“It was very unexpected,” she said. “It’s something you do because you love doing it, and I just love being there for the kids.”
Earlier this year Caithness was forced to scale back her tremendous workload when she was struck down by illness, but continued to perform minor administration jobs while she was off her feet.
“I’ve absolutely missed it something shocking,” she said.
“The committee has been wonderful this year, especially as I’ve been sick.
“Now they’re ready to handball it back to me.
“It’s very helpful. If every parent got in and helped, life we would be a whole lot easier.”
When Caithness is back to full health she plans to continue at the helm of Wyndhamvale Juniors, pushing it into the future.
She would have it no other way.
Lisa Caithness is the third weekly winner of the Unsung Heroes competition for the 2006 Western Region Football League (WRFL) season.
To nominate an unsung hero from your club, email WRFL club development officer Liz Mulconry at l.mulconry@wrfl.asn.au.
The email should detail the name and contact details of the nominated person, their role within the club, their length of service and the reasons they would be a worthy Unsung Hero nominee.
Weekly nominees receive a $250 voucher from Harvey Norman and go into the running for a major prize at the end of the season.