AFL Masters Qld News item.

Gary has served Queensland for 15 years in a variety of roles. He first commenced as a player and attended his first Carnival in Sydney 1995. At the conclusion of the local season in 1996 he was delegated the responsibility of Zone Delegate for Easts which at that time had 12 players. From 1996 to 2000 he recruited and fostered a playing group that encouraged growth and a family friendly environment that saw the player numbers grow to 60 registered players and Easts was the first club to instigate a Masters Team (over 40's) and encourage a Masters Competition in Queensland .

In 1999 the President of Queensland Warwick Ansell nominated Gary to the Queensland Executive Committee in the Role of Registrar to create the first official records of Registered Players that fostered accountability and responsibility within the Clubs. Gary created a database of players and provided the Clubs with Team Sheets, Game Report and general administration duties. Gary also created the first website in 1997 which he still maintains and updates. Gary has continued in this capacity for 12 consecutive years in this role supporting 4 Queensland Presidents and Executive Committee members. Gary has been able to provide consistency and support in his role on the Committee to all new incoming Presidents and Treasurer's enabling a much smoother transition and confidence in the Committee. Gary also assists the Clubs with any general queries they have and is always prepared to help in any capacity.

Gary has attended many of the National Body AGMs and Carnival Preparation Meetings either with or on behalf of the Queensland President and has been instrumental in preparations for Carnivals both away or within our State assisting for the co-ordination for the Gold Coast Carnival in 2001, Cairns in 2004, Maroochydore 2006 and the Current carnival in Cairns 2009. Gary also played a major role in ensuring all players were registered for all carnivals since 2000 and assisted in the co-ordination of accommodation and uniforms and Team Management.

Gary himself has attended 8 Carnivals as a player in the Sydney Carnival in 1995, Canberra 1998, Gold Coast 2001( Captain of Div2 Masters), Melbourne 2002 (V/Capt Div1Masters), Perth 2003, Cairns 2004, Adelaide 2005 and Maroochydore 2006 which is the last year Gary played football. He came out of retirement. to attend the 2009 Carnival in Cairns.

Gary 's player achievements include Best and Fairest Player for Queensland Masters(over 40's)Competition 2004 and Runner Up for Easts Supers(over 35's)1999.

Gary 's Queensland Achievement Awards are His Life Membership awarded in 2005 and his Queensland Superman of the year 1998 Award.

In 2002 Gary represented The Allies (Rest of Australia) vs Vic Metro/Country at Optus oval as the curtain raiser to the E.J.Whitten legends game.

In 2004 he represented Australia in the 0ver 40's International Match vs Ireland played in Brisbane.

Gary has always played his footy in the spirit in which he first introduced to the Queensland website. “Footy For Fun” “Never Too Old To Play” and has been a leader both at club level and Queensland Level on and off the field. Even though Gary retired from football in 2006 he has remained on the Queensland Committee and continues to volunteer his time, knowledge and support to Masters Football.

Previous Inductees from Queensland have been

Doug Jones (1997), Tim Gleeson (2001), Alex McRae (2006) and Bruce Steensen (2008)