Mavis Davis

SERVICE RECOGNISED: Mavis Davis.
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Mavis Davis is the family's matriarch and it is her involvement as well as that of her children, grand children and great grand children that has been recognised by the Orange hockey community.

Gail Kennewell, one of Mavis' eight children, said her mother was thrilled to hear the news about the new field which is being constructed on the western side of the existing field, named after hockey stalwart the late Sid Smith.
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Mavis was asked by Valmae's coach Mitzi Parks to help her coach and that was the start of four generations of the Davis family being involved in Orange Hockey.
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From then Mavis, now 74, has stayed involved but never played.

This year Mavis was recognised for being Orange Ex Services Hockey Club president for 20 years.

She is a life member of Orange Ex Services Hockey Club, Orange Hockey Incorporated, Orange Women's Hockey and Orange Junior Hockey.

She is the patron of Orange Junior Hockey and Orange Women's hockey.

She has been a delegate to NSW Hockey and has managed to find time to coach and umpire.

Seven of Mavis's eight children played hockey with Valmae, Lynette, Barbara, Alan, Gail, Sandra and Chris playing while Graham chose to play football instead.
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Mavis's three great grand children have all played.

Twenty years seems like yesterday for Mavis
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Davis, who had played hockey when she was at school, became involved with Ex-Services in 1972 when it was then RSL and her two eldest daughters started playing.

By 1976 she was coaching one of the B grade teams and in 1977 she joined the committee as junior vice-president.

Then in 1984 she took on the president's role and has held it for 20 years.

"I've just got in there and I think if your kids are doing something you've got to help with it," she said.

Her involvement in the club has gone well beyond being a committee member with Davis having been a coach and an umpire as well.

"I used to love coaching," she smiled.

"It's teaching kids to play and then as they get older they learn a bit more."

Her coaching has extended to Orange teams with both women's veterans and junior girls sides.

For her dedication to the sport Davis is a life member of Ex-Services Hockey Club as well as Orange Hockey Incorporated, Orange Women's Hockey and Orange Junior Hockey and is also the patron of junior and women's senior hockey.

She says her involvement is due to her family's participation with the club.

Davis says she only watches now but is a vocal supporter and her daughter Gail Kennewell said she keeps everyone organised as well.

"When people are on the field I like them to have their shirts tucked in and be nice and tidy," Davis said.

"I think if they look good then they feel good."

Davis said she would probably stay involved with the club next season but would wait and see.