Vale Shirley Medcalf

By Ken Casellas

Claremont officials, members, players and supporters are deeply saddened by the death of one of the club’s most valued and greatly loved volunteers Shirley Medcalf.

She has been an indefatigable and hard-working member of the club’s catering group since its inception in the early 1990s, and for many years she has thoroughly enjoyed her time with the club’s voluntary Monday maintenance crew.

Mrs Medcalf’s cheery smile and wonderful disposition has brightened the club’s premises at every home game and at numerous functions throughout the year. She has been uncomplaining and permanently happy.

Over the year Mrs Medcalf has prepared many thousands of sandwiches for the players, and her trifle was for many years a highlight of every president’s match-day luncheon. She also delighted in her task of washing the club’s tea towels and tablecloths. She was rewarded with life membership in 2017.

Mrs Medcalf’s husband David has also worked as volunteer. He served on the club’s committee of management for three years, from 1980 to 1982.

Karen Medcalf, a daughter of Shirley and David, is married to 1981 Claremont league premiership player Lindsay Kanther, who played 146 senior matches for the Tigers between 1978 and 1984.