Sport

A club champion on and off the course

By Eden Hercus

Oct 21, 2026

Geoff Portbury was awarded life membership of the Jerilderie Sports Club.

Behind every successful community club are volunteers who quietly give their time, energy and expertise without seeking recognition.

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Few embody that spirit more than Geoff Portbury, whose decades of service to the Jerilderie Sports Club were honoured last week when he was awarded life membership at the club's annual general meeting.

Portbury has been a familiar face around the golf course for decades, serving as golf captain in 1982 and 2021, and claiming C-grade championship titles in 1983 and 2005.

Since 2019, he has taken on the responsibility of maintaining the greens, fairways and general upkeep of the golf course, generously spending countless hours to keep it in top condition.

His efforts were also invaluable in helping the club recover from the floods of 2016 and 2022.

Portbury’s contributions extend well beyond the golf course.

He has volunteered in numerous roles around the club, supported local and veterans’ golf competitions, and even brought a little Christmas magic to the community donning the big red suit in recent years.

His generosity, dedication and willingness to lend a hand are a wonderful example of the volunteer spirit that keeps local clubs thriving.