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Kylie Murphy is in a
by Greg Martin
I couldn ’ t help myself after Kylie Murphy told me a yarn about her years working at Australia ’ s Wonderland .
“ Well , how much can a koala bear ?” I asked .
“ Very funny ”, Kylie laughed . “ Well , from my experience at Wonderland , there ’ s plenty they can bear !”
It wasn ’ t her tenure at Australia ’ s Wonderland which prompted your writer to interview the multi-talented Kylie but the knowledge that she had just been anointed Family of League ’ s coveted NSW Ron Coote Volunteer of the Year .
For the uninitiated , in 2002 rugby league legend Ron Coote , along with fellow former league players , Jim Hall and Max Brown , were the instigators behind the establishment of the Man of League foundation , which since last year has morphed into Family of League .
Kylie and her husband , Windsor Wolves Team of the Century member , Col Murphy , have been proud members of the foundation since 2016 .
Family of League ensures those most in need within the rugby league community can access financial , social and emotional support .
The 47-year-old dynamo , as well as operating her own business as a marketing jill-of-all-skills , is the foundation ’ s Western Sydney group ’ s secretary and media liaison officer .
Family of League chair , Helen Wood Grant , was profuse in her praise of Kylie becoming a recipient of the Ron Coote Volunteer of the Year Award .
“ In a time-poor world , Kylie has found gaps in her professional and personal life to generously give to our rugby league family facing challenges ,” Helen said . “ In doing so , she has enriched her community , provided the fuel for wellbeing and fundraising activities and inspired her colleagues .”
“ OK , let ’ s get back to that koala bear ,” I hear you ask .
During her last few years at Rooty Hill High – she left as school captain and with her HSC in 1993 – Kylie worked part-time as “ balloon girl ” at Australia ’ s Wonderland .
“ As balloon girl , I ’ d have to blow up umpteen balloons first thing in the morning and then somehow navigate amongst the visitors , selling the balloons before heading back to restock and do it all again ,” Kylie explained . “ About the koalas ?” “ OK , OK ,” Kylie laughed . “ After leaving school I joined
Wonderland as retail supervisor and one
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# 1
Family of League ’ s New South Wales Ron Coote Volunteer of the Year , Kylie Murphy , is being propped up by her husband Col and their son , Mavrick .
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