A multiple best and fairest award winner in football, Mick was also a multi club champion in tennis and bowls, and with table tennis, was club champion a record 28 times.
Noel (Mick) Saunders passed away on Monday, December 23, aged 85 years. A funeral service was conducted last Friday, January 3 by civil celebrant Rhonda Livingstone with an overflowing of mourners at Yarrawonga Mulwala Funeral Services Chapel.
“Mick showed strength to the world, lived so much of life and was a source of inspiration,” she told attendees.
“He had an amazing network of friends, a kind heart and caring ways. This service is a true celebration in all its richness, for all his friends, community and all the clubs he belonged to.”
The eulogy was delivered by son Darren which included: “Dad. Born Noel Saunders to Bob and Ivy Saunders on the 30th August 1939 at Yarrawonga Hospital. Most know him as either ‘Mick’, ‘Pelluebla’ or even ‘Pelluebla Mick’.
“Mick started school at the Pelluebla South State School (opposite the farm) when he was five years old. The original farmhouse was one and half miles from the school. He either had to ride a bike or walk through a paddock.
“Once the Pelluebla school closed, he went by bus to the Tungamah State School. Mick left school at age 14 to work on the family farm.
“He would join the Tungamah Shire Council in 1969 and worked there until the mid-nineties (on road maintenance).
“On the 8th of October 1960, Mick married Doreen Clarke. He agreed to let the kids be raised as Catholic. Therefore, Mick got his Sunday mornings to himself. He was the proud father to Jenny, myself, Leah and Sally.
“Sport played a massive part in Mick’s life and although we won’t be able to do it justice, we will try to give you a summary…. he was also a good swimmer and diver, apparently ran like a hare and was a decent golfer which was the only sport he played left-handed.
“He first played tennis with Tungamah. He then went to Telford before going back to Tungamah. He had two stints as President of Tungamah Tennis Club over many years. He was member of six premiership teams and was made a life member in 1986.
“We cannot talk about Mick and not talk about Tungamah Football Club. He started by running the boundary for three years before he played his first senior game on the wing against Dookie aged 15.
“He would go on to play 301 games from 1955 to 1974 with the Tungamah Football Club, winning the best and fairest in 1962 and 1963. He was a member of the 200 club, a Tungamah Football Club Legend and has a Life Membership of the Tungamah Football League.
“He never won a premiership as a player but experienced winning a grand final in footy as the club president in 1986.
“Every June for 69 years straight, Dad would disappear to the country week table tennis. Dad had a backhand that was amazing to watch and annoying to be on the end of. That is probably why he was the champion of the table tennis association 28 times.
“He became an Honorary Life Member of the Yarrawonga Mulwala Table Tennis Association in 1969. He played twice in the Victorian Country State Veterans team tour of NSW.
“Mick’s Mum Ivy was a good bowler and there was never any doubt Mick would be a decent bowler. He was club champion three times. Mick and Col Campbell were runners-up in the state pairs in 2007.
“We have found numerous photos of premierships at the Tungamah Bowls Club. He was club president for three years. We want to thank the members of the Tungamah Bowls Club who used to pick Dad up and take him out to the social nights over the last few years.
Special mention – 1986
“Special mention of the year 1986. Not only was he the president of the footy club in a premiership year, but Mick was the club champion of the tennis club, the bowls club and the table tennis association. Not a bad year!
“But sport is not the only thing about Pelluebla. He was involved in the Tungamah CFA and the Lake Rowan Cemetery Trust.
“He loved people visiting the farm, and as his children, we used to grow up hearing many stories about the mischief that he was involved in (particularly with older brother Harold known as ‘Joe’).
“He loved fishing, jigsaws and taking photos. He could draw and enjoyed many trips with the Tungamah Elderly Citizens.
“Mick was good with numbers. His books for player payments for the footy are legendary. He did draws for the table tournament for years.
“Married to Doreen for 64 years, he loved his family and his 56 nieces and nephews. Mick also used to write poems.”
Daughter Leah read out a glorious, longish poem written by her dad concerning a meeting at Boosey Creek, about getting a football coach and recruits to climb up the ladder. The foundations were laid for club success.
Mick’s list of sports was indeed long and added to by his nephew Terry O’Callaghan who said on the house’s back verandah, Mick had darts, hooky and quoits as well as a table tennis table.
The 1971 John Denver big hit ‘Take Me Home, Country Roads’, a favourite of Mick’s, was the recessional song at the service. Mourners were asked by Ms Livingstone to think of Mick every time they hear the song.
