| 1976 | Eddie Peter |
| 1977 | Dean Cardwell |
| 1978 | Bill Kelly Snr |
| 1981 | Pat Dwyer |
| 1981 | Tom Fitzgerald |
| 1985 | Ron (Sapper) Rosser |
| 1985 | Albert Sayers |
| 1986 | Joe Iffland |
| 1989 | Mick Eggleston |
| 1989 | Bob Hill |
| 1989 | Ted Kelly |
| 1992 | Mick Hiney |
| 1997 | Terence Kennedy |
| 1997 | John Powell |
| 2002 | Steve Brakenridge |
| 2005 | Mick Downey |
| 2008 | Bill Kelly |
| 2008 | Dave Ferguson |
| 2008 | Peter Ward |
| 2008 | Ray Trudgett |
| 2008 | John Tilston |
| 2011 | Tom Cummins |
| 2013 | Matt King |
| 2018 | Bernie Thornhill |
| 2018 | Mick Sullivan |
| 2023 | Fleur Vardanega |
| 2024 | Mark Jasprizza |
Dean Cardwell
Dean was a Popular figure at Kelly’s Hotel where he sold raffle tickets for CYMS RLFC, Every Friday night for many years. Dean was also a very important person at the CYMS’ Home games where he was the main gate person collecting fares for admissions from the 1960’s up until near his death in 1986. Dean also had a young helper in the early 1970’s in the name one of his Grandson Tony Cardwell. Dean was to be made a Life Member of CYMS for the countless hours he spent volunteering his help to the Club, Dean was the first Non-Catholic (Church of England) to be honored with the Life Membership. Although Dean did not play Football for CYMS, two of his sons played in the 50’s Peter and Dick. Two of his Grandchildren played, Michael and David. Three of his Great Grandchildren, Luke, Isaac and Marley. Tony volunteered as a strapper in the 1980’s. David and Tony were also members of the CYMS committee in the early 1980’s.
Bill Kelly Snr
Pat Dwyer
Tom Fitzgerald
CYMS legend Curly Fitzgerald one of a kind
Ron (Sapper) Rosser
Joe Iffland
Mick (Soldier) Eggleston
Bob Hill
Ted Kelly
Terry Kennedy
Terry Kennedy played Under 18’s for CYMS in 1965 and Reserve Grade 1967, before travelling overseas. When he returned to Orange, he was elected to the Committee in 1970 with the role of Publicity Officer. From 1972-1976 he changed roles and was Secretary before his work took him away from Orange. When he returned, he was a Committee member in 1993 and elected Secretary from 1994 – 2002. Terry was appointed a Life Member in 1997. Terry’s family also had a strong association with the club: Pat–Played Under 17’s in 1952. John–Played First Grade from 1961–1967 and was also on the committee. Peter–Played First Grade from 1961–1964 and was President 1961 – 1962. Michael–Played Reserve Grade during the 1960’s. Brian – Club Secretary 1970 – 1971
John Powell
Steve Brakenridge
Mick Downey
Mick joined the CYMS committee in 1991 while his eldest son, Justin, was playing Under 18’s. This team also won the Grand Final that year. When Bernie Thornhill suggested that wood would be a major money spinner for the Club, Mick went out every weekend through the winters of 1992 – 1996 cutting, splitting and delivering wood on behalf of the club. From 1994-1996, Mick was Vice-President of the club. He then became President in 1997-1998 when the club had a financial debt of $78000. Mick’s son, Scott, was involved in the premiership winning reserve grade side in 1997. Under 18’s also won the comp in 1997 under Mick’s leadership. Mick then became Treasurer from 1999-2000. Mick was a Committee Member 2001-2010. He was involved in coming up with the 40’s Club idea to get 40 people to put in $1000 each to raise $40000 to get Steve & Ann Brackenridge’s Home Mortgage out of the Orange Credit Union. Mick’s wife, Val Downey, & Pat Dwyer then ran 2 x 100 Clubs every year selling 100 tickets for $50 each with Prize money of 1st $2500 and 10 draws of $50. This allowed for 2 members to get their money back after each draw. Many CYMS stalwarts joined the 40’s Club to help the CYMS Club survive; Fr Greg Kennedy, Pat Dwyer, Bernie Thornhill, Gary Britt, Billy Firth and John Tillston, to name just a few. Many members left their money in the Club including Mick and Val. In 1998 when no one else would take on the strapping role, Mick tried his hand at it and has been doing it for all grades ever since. At the end of 2004 when the Club looked like folding, he rang around and got Kevin Duffy and Tony Ford involved as the President and Vice President and Jane McClymont as Treasurer and thus commenced the rebuilding of the Club. Fellow Life Member, Matt King, joined the Committee under this regime as well. From 1997 onwards, Mick encouraged and attempted behind the scenes to get the Junior Club to change their name from Saint Joseph’s Sheahan to CYMS Junior RLFC. This was eventually achieved in 2007. In 2014, his youngest son, Luke, was a member of the Reserve Grade Grand Final winning side. This means all three of Mick’s sons have won Grand Finals with CYMS.
Bill Kelly Jnr
Dave Ferguson
John Tilston
Ray Trudgett
Tom Commins
Matt King
Bernie Thornhill
Bernie Thornhill was President of CYMS RLFC in 1992 & 93. CYMS were in severe financial difficulty at this time. Steve Brackenridge was the Treasurer and mortgaged his home to keep the Club afloat. To service the debt Bernie created the famous woodcutters group. This group of strong, healthy, not so young males set about cutting, carting and delivering wood for the next 5 years. Some of the regular Woodcutters Bernie enlisted were Graham Hassan, Geoff Woodhouse, Billy Firth, Jack Benton, Ken Mathews, Percie Anelzark, Roger Laughton & Mick Downey. Trucks were donated for use by Graham Hassan, Dave Ferguson, Joe Iffland and Brian Turner. Bernie loved to drive the trucks and became affectionately known as the Squadron Leader.
Orange CYMS honour Bernie Thornhill and Michael Sullivan with life membership
Michael Sullivan
Mick Sullivan signed to coach Orange CYMS in 2009 and commenced coaching in 2010. Mick was the Head Coach of CYMS from 2010 – 2018 and during this tenure was heavily involved with the Senior and Junior Club. In Mick’s 9 year tenure at CYMS, he got the Club into 7 Grand Finals and won 5. The Grand Final wins were in 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015 & 2017. Mick Sullivan is the most successful coach in CYMS 75 year history. In April 2018, Mick announced (with CYMS blessing) he would leave Orange CYMS to join his junior club, the Wingham Tigers. Mick still returns to Orange on a regular basis. He is held in the highest esteem by all who have been involved with him.
Orange CYMS honour Bernie Thornhill and Michael Sullivan with life membership
Orange CYMS great Mick Sullivan looks back on remarkable record at the Group 10 club
Fleur Vardaneg
Fleur Vardanega’s love of rugby league started in black and white but it’s now very much awash with green and gold. Vardanega’s first memories of the sport date back to the old 3pm games on the ABC on a Saturday, which she watched on a black and white television screen. Now, decades later, that love has resulted in her being named a life member of the Orange CYMS Rugby League Club. At the CYMS season launch Vardanega was unveiled as the 26th life member of the rugby league club and joins and illustrious list, names like Mick Sullivan, John Powell, Tom Cummins and Bill Kelly, to name a few. However, Vardanega’s name stands alone as the only female to earn the honour in over 75 years of CYMS history. In many ways, it’s a fitting nod for a woman who has blazed a trail in Rugby League for women. Back in those days while watching her beloved Rabbitohs on a Saturday, she dreamed of playing the game. But “there was no way girls could play”. Now also part of the Vipers rugby league club, which caters for young girls and women looking for opportunities to play the sport, Vardanega continues to lend a hand where she can to help encourage participation and grow the game in Orange. But it’s certainly her association with CYMS, which dates back to the late 1990s, that Vardanega is most well known for. “I’ve loved the game since I was a kid.” Vardanega says she’s “almost embarrassed” to have been named a CYMS life member. Those in the know, though, will tell you no one is more deserving of the honour. A scroll through some of the posts on the club’s social media highlights the impact Vardanega has on the club she loves. “This honour could not go to a more deserving person,” former CYMS president Ray Agland posted. “Congrats Fleur. Always given above and beyond for CYMS,” five-time premiership-winning captain-coach Mick Sullivan added. Current Jillaroos coach and former CYMS mentor Brad Donald added his congratulations to the choir of praise while Col Barnes lauded Vardanega’s passion for the club: “Thanks Fleur for your unselfish efforts and time over the years.” “It’s an incredible honour,” Vardanega added, the first female life member.
Mark Jasprizza
When Mark Jasprizza arrived in Orange in 1988 little did he know attending CYMS’ meet the coaches day would be so fateful. He has remained involved with the club ever since, making friends, winning premierships and meeting his wife Jacki through teammate Wayne Rosser. Jasprizza was unveiled as the 27th life member of Orange CYMS and the first CYMS Old Boys life member at their presentation evening on September 21. He said he was still in shock to even have been considered. “Well to be honest, surprised and shocked, I was speechless and nearly in tears,” he said. “I didn’t expect that in my wildest dreams to be honest because there have only been 27 and it’s their 80th year next year. “You aren’t involved in clubs for these sorts of things so I’m completely shocked and honoured. “A special thanks has to go to my wife Jacki as well. We met in 1989 through footy because my brother-in-law is Wayne Rosser. “She’s been there through the whole lot.”
From CYMS to CYMS Jasprizza grew up in Dubbo where he played for St John’s College and then Dubbo CYMS and as such was always destined to don the green and gold when he moved south. After retiring in 1995, Jasprizza remained involved through coaching, volunteering, serving on the committee and eventually managing the first grade side which he has done for the past few years as they moved from Group 10 to the Peter McDonald Premiership. In addition to being part of the famous ’88 squad, Jasprizza named his enduring friendships as his favourite memory.