WGNR has been informed of the passing of WGNR Life Member Irene Fuller on Friday 3rd May 2013. Irene in her time contributed a great deal to the development of golf in her home Clubs, District and at State level. The golfing community sends its heartfelt sympathies to Irene&aposs family and friends.
Irene was elected Life Member of Northern Rivers Associates Golf Association in 1983. She always made it her duty to have a very thorough knowledge of the Rules of Golf produced by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews and the United States Golf Association. During her period of administration of the game of golf, Irene was required to attend well over 500 meetings, both in her own Clubs, Association, NSW Ladies Golf Union in Sydney, and the 13 Country Associations across the state. Irene attended every meeting except one, when it was her pleasure to be present at her son s 25th Wedding Anniversary. In 2011 Irene and her husband moved to Queensland. Before she left, WGNR farewelled her at a meeting and presented her with a gift. She still continued to keep in touch and was very interested in what was happening in the Northern Rivers. She attended last year s tournament at Yamba and presented the Irene Fuller Salver for division 3-36 hole gross to the winner at the dinner. Irene&aposs contribution at Club, District and State level was outstanding. Below is a pr cis of her contributions as they are too numerous to list. Irene joined Tuggerah Lakes Golf Club in 1950 and almost immediately became Honorary Secretary/Treasurer of the Club. She then moved on to become Vice President. During that time she became a member of the Central Northern District Golf Association. Irene eventually moved to Lismore and by 1956 was elected onto the Lismore Golf Associates Golf Association. She became the Handicap Manager and a Committee Member of the Northern Rivers Associates Association, where the next year she became Secretary (1964). In 1965 she became Northern Rivers Associates Golf Association&aposs Delegate to the NSW Ladies Golf Union. Irene was elected President of Lismore Golf Club Associates and in 1969/1970 she was co-opted by the NSW Ladies Golf Union to State Council and appointed to the State and Scratch Match Committee until 1976. After a period as Vice President of NRLGA, Irene became President in 1975 until 1979. In 1980 Irene was elected Country Vice President of NSW Ladies Golf Union responsible for 13 NSW Country Associations. During a period of three years as Vice President she travelled extensively to all 13 Country Association Tournaments, attending Australian Championships in NSW and in Queensland. In 1981 to 1984 as well as her other roles she became the Honorary Treasurer and Publicity Officer of Northern Rivers. Irene joined Coraki Golf Club in 1987. She almost immediately was elected Captain, the became President in 1996. As well as her services to golf, she was a competent player and reduced her handicap from 36 to 15 over 8 years. She was a member in the 1971 winning NRAGA Silver Division Pennant Team. Irene went on to found the Lismore Golf Club Lady Veterans Competitions and Christmas parties. At 79 years of age Irene was still playing golf on a handicap of 34. Just before turning 80, Irene was awarded an Australian Sports Medal recognising her outstanding support and work for NRLGA and her achievements on the course since the 1950s. Irene was a truly remarkable individual and a great role model. She will be sorely missed by the golfing community.
Author: Robyne Trotter - WGNR