The 66-year-old from Fingal Bay started playing rugby as a Sydney schoolboy, continued to play through his teaching career at first Grafton and later Condobolin before settling [as a history teacher] in Nelson Bay, where he still enjoys a game with the iconic 'Grey Gropers' in the Golden Oldies tournaments.

Since moving to the Bay more than 30 years ago with wife Julie, Milton's connection with the Nelson Bay club has extended beyond the playing field and into the board room, where he has held a number of positions over three decades including those of president, vice-president, secretary and committeeman. He also has his referee's ticket.

"It was a great honour to be made patron and I couldn't be prouder," Milton said.

"The last patron of the club was Gordon Symonds, who has the hill at Bill Strong Oval named in his honour."

Both Symonds and Bill Strong were integral in securing the ground that Nelson Bay Gropers has called home for more than four decades.

His one regret was that he could not share the moment with his fellow Gropers stalwart and great friend, John Edmunds, who passed away aged 67 after a short illness in October 2020.

"Of course it would have been great to share the honour with John."

Milton, who started playing as a breakaway before moving into the second-row and eventually the front-row, says there is a position for everyone in rugby, regardless of their stature and speed.

"What I love the most is the camaraderie, the mateship and the lifelong friends you make along the way. I am still in touch with people I played the game with in Sydney and Grafton."

He said that transitioning from player to administrator had come naturally.

"I would write grant submissions on behalf of the club and being a public servant meant that if I broke an arm I could still go to work."

Milton said that the Gropers have enjoyed a solid relationship with Port Stephens Council and its many sponsors, in particular the Nelson Bay Bowling Club.

"And we continue to work together on improvements at Bill Strong Oval. In recent months we have developed the ladies dressing sheds, referees' change rooms and provided disabled access to the toilets.

"There has been a real buzz around the club in recent years since we became more financially viable and the stream of young talent coming through has giving the club a real kick along."

In the same week that he was made Gropers Patron he was also elected to the board of the Hunter Rugby association. He estimates the time between finishing his official duties in one role and starting another was 30 hours, something wife Julie would prefer not to comment on.

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