It seems appropriate that Port Stephens’ OAM (Order of Australia Medal) recipient Gordon Treble would spend his Australia Day with wife of 56 years, Lynne, volunteering his time at the Nelson Bay Rotary club barbecue stall.
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The 83-year-old retiree from Corlette, who has a lifetime of achievement in sports administration and volunteer work, said that he could not think of a better way to celebrate on January 26.
“I was delighted and honoured to receive the award, but also very surprised, and it’s fitting that I am able to celebrate it with Lynne at the Rotary club barbecue on Australia Day,” Mr Treble said in accepting the OAM.
“I have always been passionate about sports education and I am proud of what I have achieved in this area, particularly with women and youth.
“I am also a strong believer in giving back to the community and I have done this through my work with Rotary, having initially joined the Carlingford club in Sydney nearly 40 years ago.”
In fact, Mr Treble was the club’s international director and president before being awarded the prestigious Paul Harris Fellow in 1993. He joined Nelson Bay on his arrival to the area in 1994.
Gordon Treble was born in Scotland, grew up in Sydney’s east and attended Sydney Boys’ High School.
He played first grade rugby union with Randwick, earning the distinction of playing alongside the legendary Sir Nick Shehadie, a legend of the game who went on to captain the Wallabies and become president of the Australian Rugby Union.
“Nick was undoubtedly a strong leader but what many people who never met the man may not be aware that he was a very funny man. I recall one game after a scrum penalty Nick approaching the referee to ask the reason for the penalty. After the referee’s explanation Nick turned to his teammates and said the referee must be blind. When the referee questioned the captain what he had said, Nick responded: ‘he must be deaf as well’.”
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Mr Treble studied to be a school teacher but after a few years while travelling with a friend through the USA, he decided to stay on and undertake a university course in sports science.
“It had always been an interest of mine. I had played rugby for many years and I was a keen swimmer, cricketer and golf player so sport was front centre in may life at that stage.”
He met and married wife Lynne in 1963 – they have two children and four grandchildren – and moved to Sydney where Mr Treble lectured in sports science at the University of Western Sydney.
The couple retired to Port Stephens 22 years ago, “after driving to Shoal Bay on a whim and discovering one of the most beautiful views in the world”.
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“Then a friend working for (former professional golf champion) Peter Thompson asked if I could assist a group of people working to develop the professional circuit for women golfers.
“So I set about writing a national education program to help women qualify as professional coaches.”
Mr Treble has held the position of education officer of both the Australian Ladies Professional Golf and Professional Golfers Association of Australia. He was also a fellow of the Australia Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation NSW.
Since moving to Port Stephens, Mr Treble continues his work with Nelson Bay Rotary and is a current member and former president of the Tomaree Community College board. He is also a keen golfer and a member of the Nelson Bay club.
