The Newtown Jets might have been forced out of action on the playing field for 2020, but a history-making event occurred for rugby league’s oldest club back in early March.
The 112 years-old club set a new benchmark when Newtown’s administration and operations executive officer Olga Lauricella became the first Life Member of the Newtown RLFC.
Olga has worked for the Jets since 2009 and is held in the highest regard and admiration by everyone in the Newtown club, and within the wider circles of the NSW Rugby League, for the long-term exemplary standards and professionalism of her work.
Newtown Jets CEO Stuart McCarthy said it is a source of great pride for everybody at the Newtown club that this glass ceiling has been broken, and that a woman of such outstanding qualities and demeanour has been made a Life Member of rugby league’s original foundation club.
The big crowd in attendance at the function gave Olga a prolonged standing ovation as she went to the stage to accept her award.
Making the event even more special for Olga was the fact that her father, 95-year-old Joseph Lauricella, was on hand to see his daughter receive her award.
Olga sets new standards
“A woman of outstanding qualities and achievement” …. Olga Lauricella is pictured after receiving her history-making Newtown Jets life membership award, along with (from left) club officials Glen Dwyer, Stuart McCarthy and Terry Rowney.
Photo: Mario Facchini, mafphotography