Clubs shed tears from Warrandyte to Singleton
Sporting clubs separated by more than 1000km were united in grief after the bus crash that left 10 dead and dozens injured.
From Warrandyte in outer eastern Melbourne to Singleton on the banks of the Hunter River in NSW, Mitchell Gaffney and Madeleine Edsell have always been the ultimate team players.
Growing up in the semi-rural haven where the upper reaches of the Yarra River flow, the couple were popular and respected members of both cricket, football and netball clubs.
And when they grew up and moved to NSW, their passion for community sport helped them quickly emerge as pillars of the Roosters AFL club in Singleton.
A few years ago, on the eve of Mr Gaffney’s 50th game, Roosters playing coach Jedd Cluff was moved to pay tribute to the ultimate club man.
“Gaff’s an extremely important part of our team, our vice-captain and he is there week in week out; you can always rely on what you’ll get out of him,” he said.
“He’s the ultimate club man and we are lucky to have him.”
Madeleine Edsell threw herself into the Singleton community, with the Roosters noting on their website that the town had become her ‘‘home away from home’’.
Given the young couple’s grassroots spirit it is not surprising that sporting clubs separated by more than 1000km were united in grief for them and their wedding guests on Monday.
Eight Warrandyte Cricket Club members and five partners of the players were on board the bus that crashed shortly before midnight on Sunday. Remarkably, it appears all of them have survived although some have broken bones.
Club president Royce Jaksic said the club believed all had cheated death. “To have 13 people we believe walk away is just nothing short of a miracle, and we’re feeling blessed,” he told The Australian.
“There are sketchy reports of different injuries to some but from what we understand nothing life-threatening.
“We are thankful for this, but of course, we turn our attention to those who have lost their lives and are still fighting for their lives and this is impacting families everywhere. And we are still unsure whether any of those people who have lost their lives are from Warrandyte, but maybe not involved in cricket. We don’t know.”
Mr Gaffney moved to NSW after completing a master’s degree in chemical engineering at the University of Melbourne in 2016. He also attended Warrandyte High School, graduating in 2011, the Herald Sun has reported.
‘‘Mitch and Maddie were members of our community, Maddie played netball, Mitch played both football and cricket,’’ Mr Jaksic said.
‘‘They were certainly much loved and respected, and that is shown by the amount of people who went up to NSW to celebrate their wedding.”
Mr Jaksic said the young couple maintained a lot of close personal friendships despite moving to NSW about five years ago.
“Everyone seemed to love them and they were very highly regarded,” he said.
Mr Jaksic said while Mr Gaffney had a reputation as a “handy” cricketer, his involvement in the club transcended sport.
“It really wasn’t about his cricket, it was about the type of bloke he was, which people gravitated towards,” he said.
“He’s one of those guys that everyone seems to love and cherish as a mate, so our thoughts now go to Mitch and Maddie who each year are going to have a tough wedding anniversary.”
Mr Gaffney was named in Warrandyte Football Club’s team of the decade in 2021, having played for the club for about five years.
Warrandyte netball club president Jimmy Harris said: ‘‘To have such a joyous occasion turn to tragedy is just unimaginably cruel and sad. Warrandyte is a close-knit community and although this accident has hit us hard we will all be there to support those in their time of need.’’
Warrandyte Cricket Club coach Ross Davies said the trauma of the players would likely be long-term. “I didn’t even know they were going. Thank god they’re all OK,” he said, of the eight players from the cricket club who had been on the bus.
Mr Davies has been at the club for one season and said Mr Gaffney had come down for a couple of games last season, although he didn’t know him personally.
“I spoke to one of their dads this morning. He was pretty upset. But he knew his son was OK,” Mr Davies said. “Now it will be about recuperation from injuries and my only worry is there will be lots of trauma. There will be ramifications for their mental health going forward. While the injuries are not life-threatening, mentally seeing that shit, it definitely stays with you.
“It’s all pretty horrific.”
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