“Doddy” Referee Well Remembered

Garry Dodd of Gerringong aged 71 years.Garry Dodd who passed away in March following a long illness gave great service to the game as a referee officiating in group seven for twenty five years.

During that time he was part of twenty five grand finals nine as referee and sixteen as touch judge.

In 1975 he controlled the first grade grand final when Albion Park Oak Flats defeated Gerringong 19-8 at Kiama Showground and he was in charge of reserve grade 1977, third grade 1971, 1972, 1976 and under 18 years 1978, 1979, 1982 and 1983.

Garry was touch judge for ten first grade grand finals 1970, 1973, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1987, 1991 and 1992 and six in lower grades.

Familiarly known as “Doddy” he was controversial to say the least and often raised the ire of both players and spectators with his rulings (many considering he had his own rule book) and when the sin bin was introduced probably no local referee used it more often than Doddy.

It was often said that when the home official responsible for looking after the sin bin area knew Garry Dodd was officiating the number of seats in the sin bin area was increased.

He copped plenty of criticism but came back bigger and better the following game and after sending many players from the field and to the judiciary during his career, ironically he was appointed to the group judiciary committee for a number of years.
Garry was the first secretary of Gerringong Junior Club and served as President of the Referees Association for one season.

He was the local milkman in Gerringong and worked for many years with Australia Post in Gerringong and Warilla and was active in many organisations including the Gerringong Bowling Club and the Gerroa Fishermans Club.

A devout family man Garry and wife Sandra were known for their kindness in fostering many children in their Gerringong home.

He bravely battled serious illness and last year spent almost five months in St George private hospital receiving great support from wife Sandra and family Brett, Natalie and Rod and Tracey and his ten grand and great grand children.