Long-time Rand Football-Netball Club volunteer Mick Kuhne dies, aged 91

The Rand, Rand-Walbundrie and later Rand-Walbundrie-Walla stalwart died last week, aged 91, having spent most his life working tirelessly behind the scenes of his beloved club.

Mick played a handful of games for Rand in his younger days and would fill in if the side was short, but moved straight into his long-time role as a trainer in the 1970s.

Rand-Walbundrie-Walla committee member James Kreutzberger said it was an incredible effort from Mick to give his all year after year.

"He was one of those guys, he didn't play much footy, but he kept hanging around. He decided if couldn't play, he'd join as a volunteer," Kreutzberger said.

"He started doing the training and helping out with the football side of things.

"He pretty much stopped playing and took up the training role in the 1970s and 80s. He only filled in when we were short, otherwise he was the trainer.

"He was still floating around in 2019 when he was 90. He was one of those constants.

"I don't know how many water bottles he would have filled up in his lifetime, it would have to be millions.

"He'd always be there to clean up and turn up to working bees and do his bit."

Kreutzberger said the bulk of Mick's life was been spent with the Rand Football and Netball Club, but he also experienced the two mergers.

The Pigeons joined with Walbundrie in 2006 to become Rand-Walbundrie and then combined with Walla in 2016 to form Rand-Walbundrie-Walla Giants.

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"He's seen a lot of players come and go," Kreutzberger said.

"He would have had more than 30 years on the committee at Rand and was on the first committee when we became Rand-Walbundrie. He's definitely seen plenty."

Mick was awarded life membership at Rand in the mid-1980s, but the volunteer aspect has flowed right throughout his family.

"The whole family have been devoted volunteers, it's pretty much how they've lived their lives. They've always been willing to help out," Kreutzberger said.

"His son, Kelvin, is captain of the fire brigade and has been on the committee of the football and netball club and he's doing the Auskick now.

"It's just ingrained in the family."

Mick is survived by his wife, Norma, and children Narelle, Allison and Kelvin and their families.

His funeral will be held at Corowa Presbyterian Church, followed by Corowa Lawn Cemetery at 11am on Friday.

Past and present players and supporters of Rand, Rand-Walbundrie and Rand-Walbundrie-Walla football-netball clubs will form a guard of honour at the cemetery.

The Giants also observed a minute's silence to honour Mick during the club's clash with CDHBU at Rand on the weekend.

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