Jimmy Clendinning was a well known Cloncurryite who was taken far before his time when he died aged just 60 in June 2010.
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But now his memory will be forever enshrined in the town with the naming of the Jimmy Clendinning kiosk at the Eddie Lee Field at the Cloncurry Recreation Grounds in his honour.
The kiosk was officially opened and named for Jimmy at half time during the Police v Northern Outback exhibition game at the junior rugby league Arthur Beetson Shield festival on Saturday.
Deputy Mayor Dane Swalling and fellow councillor Brad Rix were on hand representing Cloncurry Shire Council.
They were joined by members of Jimmy’s family who came out from Townsville for the occasion, while the entire crowd turned their attention away from the field for a few minutes for the ribbon and cake cutting.
Jimmy never married but his sisters Sheila Delaney and Joy McArdle were there as was Sheila’s son Darrell Delaney who spent several years living with Jimmy in Cloncurry.
Mr Delaney spoke on behalf of the family and he said it was appropriate they were naming the kiosk at Eddie Lee Field after his uncle.
“Eddie Lee bought the IGA store and Jimmy came to town to work for him in 1967 and worked there for 40 years,” Mr Delaney said.
“Eddie and Jimmy were lifelong friends.
“The family is very proud to be here today to see the kiosk named after Jimmy.”
Mr Delaney said his uncle loved getting involved in local sport during his years in Cloncurry.
“His love of sport shone through,” Mr Delaney said.
“He was involved in coaching boxing, soccer and above all, rugby league.”
Mr Delaney said he came out to live with Jimmy for ten years in Cloncurry.
“During that time I saw all the effort Jimmy put in to the community.”
Mr Delaney said Jimmy drove buses and sometimes his own car to get kids to the ground to play their sport.
“Jimmy would be very proud of this day and very honoured,” he said.
Though he was away during the opening ceremony Cloncurry Mayor Greg Campbell later paid tribute to Jimmy.
“On Saturday Council officially opened the kiosk at the Eddie Lee field and dedicated it to the hard work of Jim Clendinning, an ardent supporter and tireless volunteer for football for many years,” Cr Campbell said.
The Eddie Lee Field was officially opened in mid 2016 with work on the kiosk completed by year end.
Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
