A sea of fans donned in black and white gathered at Lidcombe Oval for the official unveiling of the Tommy Raudonikis OAM Plaque, in honour of the late Australian rugby league icon.
Council in conjunction with the Western Suburbs Magpies Rugby League Football Club unveiled the plaque which pays tribute to the life and sporting career of footballer and coach, Tommy Raudonikis.
Mayor Lisa Lake said the plaque serves as a lasting tribute to Tommy Raudonikis’ exceptional contributions to the sport as a player, coach and larger than life personality.
“Tommy was part of our community’s fabric. His debut season with the Western Suburbs Magpies was at none other than our very own Lidcombe Oval in 1969,” said Mayor Lake.
“Tommy will forever hold a special place in the hearts of our community, and will be remembered for his toughness, tenacity, leadership and unwavering commitment which continues to inspire many today. This plaque is a symbol of our deep appreciation and respect for his commitment to sport and to the community.”
The plaque complements the Tommy Raudonikis OAM Grandstand which opened in 2022, in memory of his dedication and commitment to football and contribution to the Lidcombe community.
Tommy Raudonikis, who passed away on 7 April 2021, left an incredible mark on the rugby league community. He began his debut season with the Western Suburbs Magpies in 1969, was club captain from 1971 and played over 200 games between 1969 and 1979. Lidcombe Oval will always be associated with the Western Suburbs Magpies. It became the Club’s home ground when the Magpies played in the NSWRL competition between 1967 and 1986.
When coaching the NSW Origin Team in 1997, Tommy instilled his ‘never say die spirit’ and implemented the ‘Cattle Dog’ call, which was a secret code word that instructed his team on the field to play with great intensity. Tommy Raudonikis is a member of the NRL Hall of Fame and the NSWRL Hall of Fame, and he received an Order of Australia Medal in 1982.
The unveiling ceremony included former teammates, friends, members from the Western Suburbs Magpies Rugby League Football Club, local MP’s, Councillors of Cumberland Council, and featured a special video message from Australian sports journalist and former rugby league football coach Roy Masters.
The Tommy Raudonikis plaque and grandstand is located at Lidcombe Oval, Church Street, Lidcombe. For more information visit: https://www.cumberland.nsw.gov.au/lidcombe-oval
