Marian Waldron is an exceptional volunteer who has inspired three generations of Victorian netballers — including her own daughters and granddaughters.

Earlier this year Marian celebrated her third decade of volunteering with Ballarat’s Eureka Netball Club. Since joining the club as a player in the 1980s she has performed just about every role available, including coach, umpire and even club president. Marian has run fundraising events, helped organise merchandise and assisted dozens of juniors in growing and developing into impressive senior players.

Marian is now in her late sixties but doesn’t have any plans of retiring soon. She is a qualified C badged umpire and when she’s not running up and down the netball court she is encouraging future umpires.

Club members couldn’t imagine Eureka without Marian’s enthusiastic presence.

‘Marian has been around our club for longer than anyone can remember,’ said netballer Wilma Oomen. ‘Her unofficial role as friend and mentor make her a much loved member and club volunteer.’

Marian’s dedication is inspiring to everyone she encounters. Eureka Netball Club is thriving — as is community sport in Ballarat — thanks to her enduring passion for helping others enjoy sport.

Quick Questions

Why did you start volunteering?

I played netball as a girl and it became a natural progression to then start umpiring, coaching and then helping out in administration. I guess the culture of volunteering started for me within my family.  My daughter and now my granddaughters continue the volunteering tradition as they too are players, umpires, coaches and administrators.

Why do you continue?

I wouldn’t be involved unless I enjoyed it.   I love the sport and I have had and continue to have some great and rewarding times.

Most rewarding moment

I encourage the girls to be as good as they can be.  I was thrilled when former club player Jo Curran got into the Melbourne Phoenix.  I tell the girls they can all achieve their goals if they work at it.

What do you get out of it?

The best part of being involved with netball is the friendships.  I have met some fantastic people over the years and have some lifelong friends as a result of it.