Tribute for Sunshine Coast Badminton, Nambour Cricket Club life member Fay Gibson

Tributes are flowing for “Mumma Fay”, a humble and generous volunteer who was known as the “Google” of some Sunshine Coast community sporting clubs.

The Sunshine Coast’s “Google” of badminton and cricket clubs is being remembered as a humble and generous woman after she lost her battle with breast cancer.

Fay Gibson, known as “Mrs Gibbo” or “Mumma Fay”, was heavily involved in volunteer roles as president, secretary, treasurer, canteen co-ordinator and lead fundraiser through many Sunshine Coast sporting clubs.

The wife of Lyle Gibson and mother to Jenny and Ian died on September 12, 2022, aged 83 after a battle with breast cancer.

Mrs Gibson was a Sunshine Coast resident for more than 73 years and a life member of Nambour Cricket and Sunshine Coast and Queensland badminton clubs.

After being introduced to badminton at 17, Mrs Gibson went on to win the Sunshine Coast open ladies singles 10 times, the mixed doubles 16 times and the ladies doubles 10 times until she was 32.

Jenny, Lyle, Fay and Ian Gibson.

Mrs Gibson represented Queensland at the Australia championships 15 times, competed at the world masters and was a coach for more than 30 years at local and state level.

Mrs Gibson received an Australia Day Commitment to Sports award as well as Quota Club ‘Award for Service to the Community’ plus Quota ‘Woman of the Year’ in addition to being nominated for the ‘Sunshine Coast Sportsperson of the Year’ awards for her badminton achievements.

Her good friend Marilyn Humphreys said Mrs Gibson’s biggest achievement was the fundraising effort to be able to construct and pay off the hall known as the Sunshine Coast Badminton Centre at the Nambour Showgrounds.

“Fay gave her all to family, friends, neighbours and the sporting clubs she was involved in,” Mrs Humphreys said.

“She was a very humble person and would have brushed off any question about why she gave herself so much to helping at sport, and in her words, I know she would have said ‘that’s what I just enjoyed doing’.

“In speaking with those still involved in the administration of badminton organisations, they felt that Fay was always their sounding board, their encyclopaedia and their Google.”

Mrs Humphreys said she loved a laugh, a catch up with friends and would be sorely missed.

“There’s a big loss to badminton without that advisor that they once had, and I know so many are saying they will miss her knowledge, friendship and support,” she said.

Originally published as Tribute for Sunshine Coast Badminton, Nambour Cricket Club life member Fay Gibson