On Wednesday, Cumberland councillors unanimously backed a proposal by Mayor Steve Christou – which coincided with an approach from Wests Magpies chairman Rick Wayde – to honour “one of the real hard men of rugby league” by renaming the ground where he debuted for West Magpies in 1969.
However while supporting the move, State MP for Auburn, Lynda Voltz, said the grandstand itself needed work.
“This grandstand has been long neglected and putting Tommy Raudonikis’ name to it is the perfect opportunity for Cumberland Council to upgrade it and bring it up to standard,” she said.
A council spokesperson responded that an Expressions of Interest (EOI) process for the use of the velodrome and football field, will return consideration in the next four weeks. She said the EOI included asking applicants what capital contribution they could make to the ground.
Both the on and off field achievements of the 70-year-old Raudonikis, who died earlier this month, were also celebrated in an emotional public memorial service at the SGC last Monday attended by more than 1,000 fans, family members and former teammates including Ms Voltz who said it was a “lovely day”.
“[It was] fantastic to see members of the public and the rugby league community come out to bid farewell to a footy legend,” she said.
While admitting to not being a Wests supporter, State MP for Granville, Julia Finn, fondly recalled his “cattle dog” cry when he was Blues coach and said: “Tommy Raudonikis was one of my favourite players of all time.”
The proposal to rename the grandstand will be open for public comment for 28 days.
