At the CRL annual general meeting, the Merriwa resident was appointed one of the four new regional directors to the board.

She joins Fred Hartup (Central Coast – Newcastle), Terry Brady (Bidgee) and Wayne Bridge (East Coast), along with Graham Andrews (Greater Southern) and Peter McDonald (Western), in that role, with Bob Walsh (vice-chairman), Doug Harrison (vice-chairman) and John Anderson (chairman) retaining their current positions.

Anderson welcomed the newcomers while thanking departing members Barry Pratten (Greater Northern), John Crooks (Central Coast – Newcastle), Tom Ebsworth (Bidgee) and Brian Rix (East Coast Dolphins).

“Jane, Fred, Terry and Wayne bring a wealth of rugby league knowledge to the board and we are pleased to welcome them as directors,” he said.

“I’d also like to acknowledge Barry, John, Tom and Brian for their long-standing service to the game in regional NSW.”

Earlier in proceedings, Walmsley and fellow Group 21 stalwart Geoff Reichel received 2017 CRL Service Pins for their outstanding contributions to the code.

Anderson, Ben Byrne (Group 7), McDonald, Wayne Boyd (Group 10), Thomas Hickey (Newcastle and Hunter), Christine O'Keeffe (Maitland District), Peter Blom (Group 4) and Dennis Hartley (Central Coast Division Rugby League) were also recognised for many years of involvement, too.

“The CRL is forever grateful for their exceptional efforts,” Anderson said.

“With a combined total of more than 250 years of service to the game, the recipients are a fine example of the wonderful service that volunteers provide to the game.

“They should be extremely proud of their efforts and the positive effect they have on their local communities through rugby league.

“Jane has a long association [with rugby league] in Group 21 and initially served as the secretary/treasurer for the Merriwa Magpies for more than a decade.

“Over the past nine years, she’s served as Group 21 secretary and combined this position with her role as treasurer.

“In this time, Jane has overseen a Group 21 grand final being played at each club’s home-ground in the competition.

“She’s heavily involved in the organising and running of the Lake Liddell Rugby League Development Camp held each year and initiated the introduction of women’s league tag into Group 21, which has grown with each passing season.

“Jane continues to introduce new initiatives in Group 21, including the CRL Women’s 9s over the past 12 months.

“Geoff [Reichel] has been involved with rugby league for five decades.

“He was introduced to the game as a six-year-old while playing for the Scone Thoroughbreds.

“And, he continued his playing days for the local side right through until first grade.

“During his long-standing association with the game, Geoff has coached schoolboys and junior representative football sides, been a member of Scone’s junior and senior committees, refereed at all levels and served several terms as Scone senior league vice-president.”