Life long Sunbury resident and OMO Ultimate Footy Club Legends competition nominee Matt Werner tells Zoe Moffatt about his connection to Sunbury, and journey with the Sunbury Lions Football Netball Club.
Tell us a bit about yourself and what you do?
I am 52 years old, I’m married to my wife Cathy, and we have two kids named Thomas, 23, and Hannah, 20. I work for VicTrack looking after the communication network for both MTM and V/Line, and I’m vice president of the Sunbury Lions Football Netball Club. I have been involved with the SLFNC in some capacity for years as a player, committee, and support-volunteer.
What’s your connection to Sunbury?
I’ve lived in Sunbury for 51 years, my Grandmother grew up on a farm between Sunbury and Riddell and her family name is still around the area-Dillon. My parents Ian and Sue still live in the same house that we moved into back in December 1972.
What do you like about where you live?
I like the fact that Sunbury still has that country feel to it, you can walk down to O’Shanassy st and take your pick from the various cafes and get a nice meal, drink or coffee. Sunbury may be getting bigger but there are still many familiar names and faces from way back.
What, if anything, would you change about where you live?
I don’t think I’d change anything about where I live.
Where is your favourite local place to spend time?
For me I can’t go past the Sunbury Social Club (SLFNC Social Club) for a cold beer and plenty of banter-especially during football season, a BBQ at home with family and friends.
Tell us something people would be surprised to know about you?
I’m pretty good at music and sporting trivia.
Tell us about your time with the Sunbury Lions Football Club?
The Sunbury Lions Football club has been a massive part of my life. It meant a lot to me that my club nominated me for the OMO Ultimate Footy Club Legends competition. I’m honoured to be among many other local cub members across Australia that enjoy doing their part for their communities. My time at the club starts back to when my Dad would take me and my sister along to Clarke oval back in the early 70s, we had a neighbour who played-Henry Townsing who was a young Ruckman and played in a few Premierships for the SLFNC- We used to venture up to Lancefield to watch the Finals and I’ve been lucky to watch and play in Premierships since I first started playing u9s in 1980.
As a Club we are lucky to have a team of very loyal members who are always willing to help out with any role that’s required- from a clean-up, painting, BBQs, working bees. That’s not including game day. It would be great recognition for the club to win the OMO Ultimate Footy Legend competition and get to share that with my family.
