Everyone loves competing, winning medals and being involved in a sporting event, but without the amazing people behind the scenes these sporting events, tournaments and pennants would not be possible.

Table Tennis Victoria’s ‘Unsung Heroes’ are our volunteers, coaches, parents and anyone who goes above and beyond to help make table tennis a great sport and deserves a bit of extra recognition for their brilliant work.

We recently spoke to Nancy Pattinson, who last year received Table Tennis Australia’s 50 year award and at 81 years young, is still involved with the Wonthaggi Table Tennis Association after first moving to Wonthaggi with her family when she was 17 years old.

“I first became involved in table tennis because my father had played competitively in Warrnambool before I was born. His enthusiasm for the game was contagious. 

“Alan Cleaves, a well-known name in Victorian and Australian table tennis and his family attended our church in Warrnambool for a while and we had a table in the youth hall. He was always happy to have a hit and that began a real love of the game for me.” recalls Nancy.

(Nancy & her parents)

Following the move to Wonthaggi, Nancy’s father, Barney Oakley, immediately became involved in the newly formed and enthusiastic Wonthaggi Table Tennis Club and took on the job as Secretary as well as other roles.

“Dad also started coaching juniors in the garage at our home and commenced a junior competition, with my assistance. One of those juniors is the now 76-year-old, top Australian veteran player Mick Wright, who has travelled the world playing table tennis over the years. When my parents moved from Wonthaggi I stayed on with the juniors until I moved to Melbourne and then Wangaratta.” She said.

Nancy returned to Wonthaggi a couple of years later to marry Eddie Harmer and once again became involved with the table tennis club, this time taking on he father’s previous role as Secretary for a while and continued to playing and coaching the junior players.

“During this time, the club was able to set up the Wonthaggi Table Tennis Centre with the help of generous club members.

“When my two boys Peter and Bruce reached eight and nine years of age, they joined the junior coaching and played competitively until their late teens. Peter has since passed away, and Bruce took up clay target shooting for a few years, very successfully. He then came back to table tennis and has been a driving force in the club ever since. He is now 60 years of age and has been the junior’s coach and an A Grade player for around thirty-five years.” Said Nancy.

After a gap of a few years when she moved to Leongatha and remarried, Nancy eventually came back to Wonthaggi after her husband’s passing.

“Since moving back I have had a very busy time playing and helping Bruce with juniors coaching and various other roles.

“I joined the Veterans State Championships for some years in my seventies, encouraged by Bruce, who was also competing in his age group. I played in three National Championships in Queensland, NSW and Victoria, the last in 2017. That was a fantastic experience.

“I played in many Victorian Country Championships in Melbourne and later in Bendigo. Always my favourite three days of the year. Bruce played too and usually organised the teams, encouraging the more advanced junior players to compete.

“Wonthaggi TTA was always very successful at these Championships. Bruce also saw a number of the juniors he coached rise to Nationals standard, which made him very proud. I am still playing locally and still helping with juniors coaching, as well as other administrative and volunteer roles.” She said.

Over time Nancy has ended up volunteering for more than five decades within table tennis. At Wonthaggi, she has had a number of roles from administration, to grant applications, junior coaching, all abilities programs, after school programs and everything in between. She was also able to get social table tennis off the ground which she says now has several great volunteers taking over the role.

“My favourite volunteer role with my club for the past six years has been facilitating the Access for All Abilities Program. I love it, I love the players that turn up, and believe it is the most useful volunteer role I have ever had. My involvement with juniors does come a close second.” Said Nancy.

Nancy’s love for the sport is obvious to anyone who spends time talking to her.

“I love table tennis because it is fun, has kept me active for so many years and I have met dozens, probably hundreds of wonderful people during that time. I have been competitive at anything I attempt since my childhood so there has always been an opportunity to try harder and do better in table tennis. I also love the fact that my broader family has maintained an interest in table tennis too. It’s always fun to chat about their clubs and various club events.” She said.

Table Tennis truly is a family sport for Nancy, starting with her father passing down his passion to her, something she also did for her sons. The love and admiration she has for the other members and volunteers at Wonthaggi is also apparent when chatting to her.

“I could not mention anyone I admire more than my son, Bruce Harmer, for his work at the Wonthaggi Table Tennis Association, but I am probably a bit prejudiced. He was club President for more than 20 years too.

“However, there has also been the long-standing player and Secretary Treasurer, Patricia Denier, who has been there ‘forever’ competing locally and in many championships and national events. Most likely also the best sponge cake cook in Victoria too, I know many club members would agree. I have one in my fridge at the moment in fact.

“Trish's family are the legendary Donohue’s and I doubt if there has been any year since the club commenced more than sixty years ago when a Donohue has not been involved, five Donohue’s currently competing now and over the last few years. 

“This year a new strong committee has stepped up, with Steve Anstey as Secretary who is a valuable addition in this role to the club for his computer skills, as well as his enthusiasm. The rest of our new committee is very dedicated and enthusiastic, and I am happy to say there are equal numbers of men and women bringing various skills to this role.

“Our new President is Michael Ede, well known for being a part of winning team events and individual events in National championships and some International events.” Said Nancy.

(Nancy alongside Siobhan Paxton (left) and Charley Donohue (middle))

Obviously 2020 has not gone to plan for anyone but by the sounds of it, Wonthaggi is in great hands, something Nancy is thrilled about.

“We have attempted to run our regular comps and programs twice this year but have been shut down both times by COVID-19 regulations. While it is frustrating and disappointing, we have done our best to maintain contact with members during the year.

“We are hoping to get back in some way before the end of the year, but we will just have to wait and see. There may be a chance to run a few tournaments and some social table tennis if we cannot resume the competitions that were shut down halfway through the current season.

“The income of our club has been affected but we have diligently tried to access some grants and donations to keep our club viable and to cover future expenses.

“We were fortunate to be able to add urgently needed strong security screens to our table tennis centre a few months ago. Steve Anstey has also been busy setting up a website for the club.

“We have a strong membership of all ages for a small country town, with many up and coming juniors and I know they will be back in 2021. I am feeling optimistic and always a happy table tennis addict, even at 81 years young.” She said.

Her journey has been long and impressive, and Nancy clearly has an unbelievable passion for our great sport, something we cannot wait for her to pass on to the future generation of table tennis players at Wonthaggi and in Victoria.

If you know anyone like Nancy that you think should be featured in our Unsung Heroes series, please email Jason at mmo@tabletennisvic.org.au.