Visit to see Mountain Men – Tony Lewis and Kerry Kime

Welfare Officers Warren Thompson and Ken Vessey recently ventured to Springwood NSW to catch up with two outstanding gentlemen and friends Tony “Magpies” Lewis (Men of League Member Number 18,077) and Kerry “Rabbitohs” Kime (Men of League Member Number 15,809). Luckily it was on their joint birthdays! 

Firstly, Tony was born in Arncliffe, Sydney right in the mighty St.George District Rugby League Football Club heartland and in his junior rugby league days he was a competent winger and played with the Arncliffe Scots Rugby League Football Club with the likes of Bruce Starkey, Stephen Butler (members of the 1977 St.George Premiership team) and Colin Bramley , then he moved to the St.George Rowers Rugby League Football Club and prior to giving the game away he played in Balmain in the Postal Institute Competitions. As a youngster and attending school in Lewisham, he was attracted to the Western Suburbs “Magpies” Rugby League Football Club and attended all matches at Pratten Park, Lidcombe Oval and Campbelltown in which the Magpies were playing.


PHOTO – front Kerry Kime; back Tony Lewis.

Today his allegiance to the Magpies is as strong as ever as he continues to support his team in the Ron Massey Cup and is actively involved with the strong Pratten Park Magpies Group through his role as Webmaster of the “Noel Kelly Kids” (www.noelkellykids.info) and “Pratten Park Magpies” (www.prattenparkmagpies.info) along with Web Designer Steve Lothian, they have created two websites of the highest order in design and content. When pressed to name his three favourite players he stated Noel Kelly, Peter Dimond, Jim Cody and his all-time best player was Noel Kelly — well done Ned!!

Tony and his charming wife Lee, have lived at Springwood for 29 years and vow they will never move away from the area. In retirement his time is taken up with domestic/overseas holidays, charity work, maintaining his loved Magpies websites , watching the Magpies and NRL matches, attending Men of League and Chelsea Old Mates functions. At present he is recovering with a blood clot in his right leg and we presented him with a Men of League polo shirt and cap, wishing him a speedy return to good health. Tony expressed his sincere thanks for our visit, thoughts and wished the Men of League continued success. 

During our visit Kerry Kime joined us and we were able to share a birthday cake with Tony. Prior to joining us he had been to his 72yrs birthday with his wife Colleen, daughters Sue Eileen, Ann Marie, grandchildren Samantha and Nathan at the local Winmalee Tavern, where is well known and regarded by all. Kerry and Colleen have lived at Winmalee for 30 years, where he was the local Butcher for 23 years and Taxi Owner for 6 years and you will never find a more likeable man than Kerry. He was a good mate of the late great Laurie Nichols, Balmain Tigers greatest supporter. Warren and I have grown to know Kerry over the years through our friendship with Tony Lewis and his regular attendances and support for the Men of League excellent functions held by the Sydney Metro Men of League Committee and at Chelsea Old Mates functions. 

Kerry is a proud and unashamed South Sydney Rabbitohs supporter and it makes his day at the Men of League functions when he meets up with ex South Sydney players including Bob McCarthy, Gary and Wayne Stevens, Ray and Arthur Branighan to name a few. He has been through some very trying times health wise in recent years, including having his left leg amputated in 2013 and in recent times some issues with his prosthetic leg, which are now nearing resolution. 

Kerry has to be admired for his courage and determination in the manner he enjoys his life and states he is “happy to be alive”. We presented him with a Men of League polo shirt, wishing him continued good health and in return he most thankful for our visit, gifts and wished us well in our continued endeavours.

By Ken Vessey

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