By Luke Voogt
For 40 years Lyn Toll has been the “heart and soul” of the Geelong Rangers, driving refugee children to training and volunteering at the soccer club.
“I’ll almost probably die there,” the 72-year-old told the Indy.
“I love seeing them go out in their uniforms, I’m very proud of them. That’s what motivates me.”
Lyn is one of dozens of nominees for Viva Energy’s Club Legend competition, in which an unsung volunteer and their club can win $5000 each.
Nominations are flooding in with entries closing on 10 September.
The Bell Post Hill pensioner was surprised and thrilled to receive a nomination, but admitted calling her nominee Kylie Chapman a “cheeky bugger”.
She cleans the clubrooms, runs the kitchen and has served on the club’s committee for years “to see the look on the kids’ faces”.
“I go to as many of the games as a possibly can,” Lyn said.
“You learn all their different cultures and their different beliefs.”
Kylie Chapman described Lyn as the “most loyal kind-hearted and trustworthy person”.
“You would struggle to find someone as dedicated, caring and loving as our Lyn,” she said.
“She helps anyone in need, finding boots for kids when they haven’t got a pair to putting her own hand in her pocket to help when needed.
“This woman is the heart and soul of Geelong Rangers, always there to open up the club rooms, there till the end to turn off lights and lock up.”
Viva’s Geelong Refinery will also give away thousands of additional dollars to the clubs of 21 other finalists in its Club Legends competition.
The company will host a Club Legend Awards Dinner to honour all the finalists and winners at Simonds Stadium on 16 October.
Nominations are now open at clublegend.com.au.
