Larry Collins
our boards which resulted in the group offering us financial aid and advice ,” Larry said .
That enabled the club to struggle through those tough years and the Good Ship Windsor Leagues back on even keel .
Parting really is “ such sweet sorrow ” for Larry for during his tenure as club general manager he says he was privileged to work with an “ outstanding ” committee led by Ross Jones .
Under Larry ’ s stewardship , the club has undergone extensive refurbishment in the bar and dining and entertainment areas , TAB , gaming room , and the addition of the fabulous Atrium function room and the adjoining open-air deck .
Larry was responsible in luring Football Operations Manager , Dean Jones , to the club – the highly respected administrator linking with Wolves in 2020 .
“ Dean and his colleagues have done an absolutely amazing job in promoting footy at the club ,” Larry said .
“ When he joined us , we fielded 26 teams , ranging from under 5s through to the seniors but this past season Wolves put 48 teams of boys and girls , men and women onto the field .
“ Nearly all our teams performed creditably this year , with many making it through the finals series and four of them winning grand finals .
“ Success breeds success and Dean tells me that he is confident the Wolves will be represented in 50 or so competitions next season .”
Larry added that such as the success of the Celebration of Indigenous Culture round this year , it will become an annual event as well as further celebrations on Anzac Day and towards the end of the seasons , Back to Windsor Days .
Your writer asked Larry what else would fill his time away from club management .
“ I ’ m a member of Penrith Golf Club and get out on the course as much as I can , and of course , away from whacking a little white ball and driving the limousines , I ’ ll have more time to spend with my darling wife of 46 years , Jennifer ,” he said .
Larry was asked about his journey to Windsor Leagues Club – and a remarkable journey ’ twas .
“ I was born in Balmain and educated at Balmain PS and Rozelle High , leaving the school days behind me at 14 years and 10 months to take up a three year apprenticeship as a sheet metal worker ,” Larry said .
“ When I came out of my time , I was the youngest qualified tradesman in NSW ,” he proudly informed me .
Later he gained his boilermaker certificate and by 1982 , he and Jennifer , whom he had married in 1977 , were living at North Avoca and raising their three children , Neville , Tim , and Melissa .
“ I was able to successfully mix working in my trade with a casual jack-of-all-trades job at Ettalong Beach Memorial Club ,” Larry explained .
By 1986 he was appointed senior
manager and two years later , the family was on the move , relocating back to Sydney where he was snapped up as operations manager at Castle Hill RSL .
Over the ensuing years before landing at the Wolves , Larry held senior positions at Seagulls Tweed Heads , another stint at Castle Hill RSL , St Marys Band Club and managing Kiea Apartments at Port Macquarie .
Where he also spent five years as general manager at the local bowling club before holding a similar role at Port Macquarie Panthers .
Yep , the man certainly earned his stripes in the club business !
“ We returned to Sydney in early 2017 due to the failing health of our son , Tim , who sadly passed away later that year ,” Larry said .
He and Jennifer are the doting nan and pop to five grandchildren and whenever he isn ’ t driving on the roads or on the fairways , he and Jennifer will be , well , doting grandparents .
Young love ! Larry and Jennifer Collins on their wedding day in 1977 . Sitting down on the job is page boy , Larry ’ s young brother , Roy .
Larry ended our interview by telling me that his time at Windsor Leagues provided him with many of the happiest and successful times of his 41 years in club administration .
“ People out here are the salt of the earth – they welcomed me with open arms and supported our club during dark times ,” he succinctly summed up .
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THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au ISSUE 162 // NOVEMBER 2023 7