AFTER over three decades of dedication and service, Max Jagoe was recently awarded a life membership to his beloved Myrtleford Indoor Sports Complex.

The long time volunteer has done practically everything there is to do at the stadium over the last 35 odd years, volunteering uncountable hours to the service and management of the complex.

Max first started his involvement with the Myrtleford Indoor Sports Complex in the 1990s, when his good mate Jim Murtagh and his family took over the management of the place.

From there, Max has given of his time unquestioningly, and according to Myrtleford Indoor Sports Complex secretary Ben McIntyre, has never looked back.

“Max went out there a lot to watch the Murtagh family play basketball, he basically helped out over the years, volunteered a lot of time,” he said.

“He was there to help with the canteen, opening up, collecting money from door entry.

“Once the Murtagh family ceased management around the time the new stadium was built, Max stayed on and continued to help out, volunteer.

“For years he helped out with the volleyball, netball, the basketball, the squash, the badminton, lifeball, all user groups.

“He’s been there to help out, and without Max, some of those sports may not have been able to be played.

“He’s been an important part of the sporting community over the last 34 years.”

The committee were planning to surprise Max with an impromptu ceremony last Friday, but his eagerness and unthinking willingness to help out however he can almost spoiled the surprise.

“I rang him last week, it was a surprise ceremony we conducted on the Friday night, I went out to see him, to ask if he could pop out to the stadium at 6.30 to help us open up, because we wanted to surprise him, and he didn’t have to think twice about it, he said he’d be there,” McIntyre said.

“He turned up at 6.15pm, turned up early and surprised us a bit – we were banking on him being there at 6.30pm, but he got there early.

“He loved it, we was very happy, you couldn’t wipe the smile off of his face, he was very ecstatic to receive the award.

“He’s been a real asset to the community and we hope that he can continue to help us, we’re really proud of Max.”

Also recently conferred were a pair of life memberships to the Myrtleford and District Basketball Association, awarded to Gianna Bromley and Les Stevens for their many years of service to the association.