Frank Lawler likes to do his sport away from the glare of publicity.
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Whether it’s helping out kids in the boxing ring or offering soccer tips to Indigenous boys and girls, the Irish-born Queensland Police Service sergeant prefers to get on with it behind the scenes and leave others get the plaudits.
But on Friday for once the softly spoken Dubliner was deservedly the centre of attention.
Frank took out the Mount Isa Senior Sportsperson of the Year award at the Mount Isa City Council Australia Day celebrations at the Civic Centre to great applause from those who know what he does.
According to his citation which was read out by Cr Peta MacRae at the awards, Frank has embraced the region, especially Mount Isa’s Indigenous community, since landing in the north-west two years ago,
“He actively promotes community sports and activities for young people through the Mount Isa PCYC and the Mount Isa Soccer Association,” Cr MacRae said.
“Frank volunteers as coach, referee and fundraiser for the Sunfire Bulls, a junior Indigenous soccer team.
“He has also coached and fundraised for the Indigenous women’s team, the North West Queensland Dragons, taking them to the first Indigenous Soccer Championships in Nowra NSW in 2016. In 2017, two Mount Isa players coached by Frank were selected for the Indigenous Australian men’s and women’s soccer teams.”
Not that you would have much spare time after that but Frank also teaches boxing and provides support to young vulnerable Indigenous people.
In his short speech to accept the award Frank revealed the inspiration behind his philosophy of helping out came from his father.
“I came to Australia in 1989 from Ireland,” Frank said.
“The parting advice from my father was, ‘when you get to Australia, don’t look what you can get from the county, look for what you can give to the country. Give your time freely and help other people that need your help’.”
Don’t look what you can get from the county, look for what you can give to the country
- Frank Lawler
Frank said he didn’t expect to win the award.
“The person that nominated me, Sergeant Gina Scott from the PCYC, is one of the hardest working people I’ve seen in Australia,” he said.
“So to get this nominate from Gina is something I appreciate”.
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.
