These are the words of long-time friend Kevin Forde who is among the many mourning the loss of rugby league stalwart, Tony Young.

Tony lost his battle with prostate cancer on Monday, January 25 after it became progressive in August last year, prompting his family to remind all men to have regular checkups.

The loss of Tony, described as “a gentleman of the game and life”, has left a hole in the hearts of not only those in the Young and Murringo areas, but all of the south west NSW sporting community who he has been heavily involved with for the past 70 years.

Born in Scone NSW on September 24, 1930 Tony was placed in St Anthony’s Orphanage in Waitara, Sydney at only two days old. He remained here for seven years before being transferred to an orphanage at Orange.

At age 11, Tony moved to “Glenton Villa” farm at Murringo, owned by James “JJ” Maloney. 

After attending school in the village for three years Tony began working full-time on the farm. He also had many part-time jobs such as delivering ice around Young before the days of refrigeration, gardening, caretaking at the Murringo cemetery and a grave digger with Lenny Bruce. He was also a well digger and cleaned out dams. 

Tony’s sporting career mainly involved playing and refereeing rugby league. He played for Murringo, Young Electric Lights, Bendick Murrell and Boorowa. 

Another close friend of Tony’s, Peter Parker, laughed as he recalled a story once told to him by the “little man with a big heart”.

“Tony was involved in what was believed to be one of the biggest scandals in Young’s rugby league history - much bigger than today’s’ drug taking, salary caps or off-field behaviour,” Peter said.

“Tony was about to be appointed captain of the Under 18s when the bloke he was replacing, Garry McLachlan, told the coach Tony shouldn’t have been playing in the Under 18s, in fact his real age at the time was 25! 

“I can’t understand after Tony playing eight years of Under 18s, that no-one thought it a little strange to check his age. Obviously he was too valuable a player to lose.”

Tony’s refereeing career began in 1957 when working at school carnivals, as well as occasionally running the line for Group Nine.

He has refereed on the Sydney Cricket Ground, Canberra, Broken Hill and all points local, and performed every executive position for the Country Rugby League Referees Association over his time. This has resulted in more life memberships to various bodies than you can count on two hands.

These include NSW Group Nine Referees, NSW Group Nine Rugby League, NSW Country Rugby League Refereeing Association (CRLRA), Riverina Referees, Riverina Schoolboys' Football Carnival, Boorowa Junior Rugby League Club, NSW Group Nine Junior Rugby League, Young & District Junior Rugby League, NSW Woodbridge Cup Rugby League, Young Junior Rugby League Club, NSW Group 12 Referees, NSW Woodbridge Cup Referees and the Australian Rugby League Referees’ Association.

As a member, patron and friend of the CRLRA Tony has coached and mentored thousands of young referees.

In a statement on the association’s Facebook page, former leading CRL representative referee, Bill Foran referred to him as “a gentleman of the game and life”. 

“No one as a referee deserved to be called “sir” by everyone associated with rugby league more than Tony,” the statement reads.

“The CRL and the game of rugby league will be poorer from the loss of our beloved friend and we pass on our sincerest condolences to Tony’s lovely wife Mitzie and his devoted family.”

Tony had rugby league running through his veins, continuing to play until the age of 84.

In October 2015, donning his red and green jersey and footy boots, Tony took the title of the oldest registered participant of the Young Cherryatrics Masters Rugby League Carnival.

Masters manager Geoff Hill said he will miss seeing Tony propped up in the referees box ready to take on the day.

“When we first started eight years ago Tony looked after referees for us, and he even played the last couple of years for the Murringo side,” Geoff said. 

“It’s a huge loss, for everyone, really a lot for the referees as he was always around encouraging everyone, telling them where they went wrong, organising them. 

“We’re going to miss not having him around - you’d go over to the referee box and there he would be waiting, ready to go.

“It’s a big loss for all the Masters, and we will be sure to have a minute’s silence at this year’s carnival.”

Tony’s commitment to the community didn’t stop at sport. 

He also played a major role in establishing the first Police Boys Club in Young, as well as being a member of the air ambulance, the progress association, the Murringo Hall group, and the Murringo P&C.

But his dedication also extended to the  NSW Rural Fire Service where Tony tallied up over 70 years of service. 

He captained the Murringo Brigade, was the village captain, permit officer and senior deputy captain. He also held the role of Murringo brigade president, and was the ‘go-to man’ when issues needed to be discussed. 

“In earlier years he was a member of the South West Slopes Zone Community Education Committee and was heavily involved in district brigade training exercises and meetings,” Peter said.

“He never missed a zone captains and delegates meeting in his entire time in office.”

Peter said Tony’s contribution to the Murringo Brigade is exemplified by the great resources that its members now enjoy.

Tony is survived by his wife of 50 years, Mitze, his five children Kathy, Tanya, Robert, James and Scott and his grandchildren.

He will be remembered as a selfless man, the life of the party, a bit of a larakin, and someone who took pride in his work.

The funeral service of Tony Young will be held at St Mary’s Catholic Church, Ripon Street, Young at 11am today.

Tony will be laid to rest at the Murringo Cemetery.