In the wake of recent news that local legend Alf Scott will be leaving Moree, it seems only fitting that we take a moment to reflect on his past life and experiences that have, in turn, made the man a local treasure.
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The local legend has lived all his life in Moree and draws his roots from humble beginnings, when he lived on the southern side of the bore drain as a child.
“There was no town water, road or footpath to my home,” he said.
“My parents worked hard through the Depression. In those days families would look at a penny before spending it, unlike today’s habit to spend today and worry tomorrow.
“When I was going to school we had boots, not shoes, and when it rained we would take them off and hang them around our necks. I never had long pants until just after I was 16 and never owned a car until I was 41. I rode a bike, which I didn’t get until I was 12, or walked.
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“Like most children my age I was taught the value of money.”
Alf passed his school days caddying at the then-nine hole golf course before he was picked up for military service when he was 18.
Alf served four years in the 53rd AA Composite Regiment at Tarakan and Borneo in Indonesia.
After he was discharged in 1946, he moved straight back to Moree. A short stint at a J Morgan and Co general store led to employment with John Assef at his self-titled store, Assef.
“It was the best place in town to work. They are like family to me,” Alf said.
Throughout his 57 years at the local store, Alf married Beryl and the pair raised two children, Richard and Susan.
On the sidelines, Alf dedicated himself to the community.
You don’t realise just how many people are affected by cancer until it happens to you or someone you know.
- Alf Scott
He sat as committee secretary and president on the Moree Amateur Swimming Committee and helped to build its clubhouse. He juggled the role of publicity officer and columnist for the Moree Diggers Swimming Club, Moree Greyhound Racing Club, and dedicated more than 15 years to P and C associations across Moree.
And the list of accolades Alf has received goes on: Life member of Moree Amateur Swim Club, Life member of Moree Boars, Country Rugby League Merit Award, Moree East Primary School Life Membership Badge, RSL of Australia over 50 Year’s Service Award plus many more.
It’s no mystery that perhaps Alf’s greatest passion is rugby league.
Alf even trialed for the St George Football Club in 1947 when he was a younger man. Though a doctor’s diagnosis of a war disability prevented him from seizing the opportunity.
The upset didn’t keep Alf from pursuing his passion. As the Boars get ready to celebrate 100 years of sportsmanship this weekend, Alf can honestly say he has been with the club for most of the way.
In the span of more-than 70 years, Alf has not only played for the club, but archived game scores and player statistics. To celebrate his invaluable contributions to the sport, he was awarded the Moree Rugby League Life Membership in 1973. The Boars also named a medal after him; the Alf Scott Medal recognises the hard work of the club’s unsung heroes.
Alf praised Moree for their sporting passion and rich history.
“In 1961, Moree held three grand finals on the one day. It’s the only time that has happened. There was the grand final between Moree and Ashford football teams, the match between Moree and Gunnedah union teams and the grand final between the Boars and Warialda league teams.”
Despite his great love for league, Alf considers his proudest achievement to be his work with the Moree Cancer Support Group.
After he sadly lost his wife to cancer 30 years ago, Alf joined the campaign to tackle cancer.
“I had cancer in the kidney: my kidney was taken out,” he said.
“You don’t realise just how many people are affected by cancer until it happens to you or someone you know.”
It’s the friends, memories and sporting passion that Alf will miss most when he leaves.
Alf announced that he made the difficult decision to leave Moree with the intention of spending more quality time with his family.
He plans to rotate between Sydney and Perth where he will spend time with his daughter Susan Stafa and son Richard.
When asked if he has sorted out a leaving date, Alf said he preferred not to say.
With so many years at Moree behind him, Alf took a moment to reflect on the ways the town had changed.
“I have seen the population diminish and go from 10,000 people to less than 8,000.
“I think that’s a result of the selling of the abattoirs, closure of the flour mill and original railway junction.”
Alf said he remembers the days when cotton farmers relied on manual labour to pick cotton.
“You would see backpackers and visitors of all sorts come to Moree. It would take at least six people to roll a bale. Today, it only takes a machine.”
Alf noted that he would still be around in Moree to celebrate his 94th birthday on July 22. Asked how he felt, he had only one thing to say.
“I feel bloody old.”
It’s that kind of Alf that Moree is going to miss.
