Jason Falinski (Mackellar, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today to acknowledge rugby league legend and Order of Australia recipient Noel Kelly and his inclusion on this year's Queen's Birthday Honours list for services to Rugby League.

Noel was born in Ipswich. In 1956, at the age of 20, he began playing in the Ipswich rugby league competition. Noel was then selected as hooker for his first test match, against New Zealand. In 1961 he moved to Sydney and signed with the Western Suburbs Magpies. Noel was instrumental in the Magpies sides of the 1960s and played in all of the club's consecutive grand final losses to St George in 1961, 1962 and 1963.

Following his playing career, Noel returned to Sydney to coach the North Sydney Bears from 1973 to 1976. At the end of 1976, he was named to coach Sydney in a tour of New Zealand, while also becoming a board member and ambassador for the Men of League Foundation.

Today Noel resides in Collaroy, just around the corner from me, and continues to remain an integral part of the rugby league community. He is well known for assisting those facing hardship, and the community of Mackellar is very fortunate to call him one of its own.