Molly Dorne will remember Saturday for a long time

She has been involved with sport and particularly athletics for over 30 years and after the athletics meeting at the Ohau domain it was planned to have a re-union of past and present officials and members of the West Coast (ND Centre which stretches from Ohau to Taranaki.

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What Molly Dorne and her husband did not know was that the re-union was really a guise to pay tribute to her tremendous energies.

Men and women came from clubs from all over the province to pay their tribute including many famous names in athletics and it was a well kept secret for six months.

In fact, when Molly Dorne replied, she said:- "I feel slightly embarrassed because I have been encouraging people to come along tonight."

The dinner was held at Martino's and MC for the evening Mr Noel Warner, said the situation was much like the TV show, This Is My Life

TRIBUTES
"We are all here to honour you for the work you have done for over 30 years in this area and for New Zealand athletics."

The mayor and mayoress of Levin, Mr and Mrs L. B. Roberts, were guests and in his tribute M Roberts said:

"Very few administrators have shown your dedication, and your influence has rubbed off on to hundreds of young kids, to their benefit."

Detailing Mrs Dorne's "tremendous record in community affairs," he listed her involvement as a senior representative player for netball, hockey, indoor basketball and softball.

"She played hockey and netball on alternate days until they were played on the same day and she gave up hockey.

MANY GROUPS
"She has been selector, coach and umpire, was the first president of the netball umpire's association and is a life member of the many clubs and associations."

Mr Roberts said that "as well as all this, Molly played social tennis, was secretary of the Ohau tennis club and of the Levin Harriers Club and was a member of the Levin Athletic and Cycling Club at the age of 13.

"She revived the Ohau Athletic Club, is a member of the Levin Toastmistress s Club and was one of the stalwarts of the exhibition last year of the Horowhenua Historical Society."

Mr Roberts listed Mrs Dorne's very active con¬tribution to various jubilee celebrations including the Levin School, Ohau tennis club, netball, athletic club and her appointment as field events recorder at the Commonwealth Games.

"OUR MOLLY"
She has also been a long and active member of the Ohau branch of the WDFF and the Levin Townswomens Guild, said Mr Roberts who concluded, "She is, our Molly."

The immediate past president of the Centre, Mr Peter Richards, referred to Mrs Dorne's "overflowing personality, her positive influence and help to all clubs, especially those whose fortunes might be waning and the way in which she was able to mix so well with young and older people."

Mr Doug Harris, a Centre administrator, spoke of "Molly's astonishing record of attending centre administrative meetings at Wanganui, once a month, for 26 years.

ASTOUNDING
"She would accept no second best - was a damn nuisance at times - but she often put her finger on points that all of us had missed. Her experience is astounding.

"As a selector from 1963 to 1977 she argued and argued the merits of Levin and Ohau athletes and she was right - her proteges won races. She could see their potential and they responded to her enthusiasm. She flogged her brains at meetings for the benefit of athletes."

As a permanent record of the evening, a magnificent trophy was presented by members.

Known as the Molly Dorne trophy, "It will preserve the memory of this evening and will, forever, continue the association of Molly Dorne with athletics," said Mr Warner.

HONOURED
In reply Mrs Dorne said she had felt honoured that it had been decided to have a reunion after the Ohau sports earlier in the day, but had no idea as to its real purpose.

"It has come as a complete and absolute surprise. I have never been so highly honoured. It is a great privilege. I thank you all so much and especially Noel Warner and Leo Carter for so secretly organising the occasion and for this beautiful trophy with the wonderful words on it. It will always be in my memory."

Molly Dorne sat down to prolonged applause and musical honours.