The Gosnells Football & Sports Club paid tribute to one of the most influential figures in its history on Saturday, officially naming the club’s Honour Board after long-serving volunteer George Leathley during its annual Life Members Day celebrations.
The dedication recognises an extraordinary 57 years of service to the Mighty Hawks, spanning from 1965 to 2022, and celebrates a lifetime of commitment that has helped shape the club into what it is today.
For more than five decades, George devoted thousands of volunteer hours across an astonishing range of roles.
Throughout his time at the club, he served as Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President, Committeeman, Auditor, Statistician, Interchange Steward, Annual Report Editor, Centenary Committee Treasurer and Club Delegate, among many other positions.
His contribution extended well beyond official titles. George was instrumental in preparing financial reports, maintaining the club’s historical records, assisting with finals, marking grounds, coordinating volunteers and providing invaluable support to committee members and generations of players. His tireless work behind the scenes ensured the club remained strong, organised and positioned for future success.
George’s outstanding service has been recognised with numerous prestigious honours throughout his lifetime, including Life Membership of the Gosnells Football Club in 1978, WA Football Commission Volunteer Service Awards, the WAAFL Volunteer Recognition Award, the City of Gosnells Citizen of the Year Award in 2014, the Clubs WA Lifetime Contribution to Volunteering Award in 2015, and recognition in the Western Australian Parliament for reaching the remarkable milestone of 50 years of voluntary service.
While the accolades are significant, those who know George understand that his greatest legacy lies in the people he has mentored, the traditions he has preserved and the culture of service he has helped foster within the club.
The naming of the Honour Board ensures his contribution will never be forgotten. It stands as a permanent reminder to every player, volunteer and supporter who walks through the clubrooms of the dedication, humility and commitment required to build a successful community football club.
Speaking during the ceremony, club president Brayden Watkins acknowledged that the Gosnells Football & Sports Club exists today because of volunteers like George Leathley, whose selfless service has inspired generations of Hawks both on and off the field.
As his name now proudly overlooks the achievements of the club’s greatest contributors, it serves as a fitting tribute to a man whose own contribution has become part of the club’s history.
For George Leathley, the Honour Board is more than a sign, it is a symbol of a lifetime devoted to the Mighty Hawks and a legacy that will inspire future generations for years to come.
Once a Hawk, always a Hawk.
