Gold Coast mum Mele Rhind leaves lasting legacy in sport after cancer fight

Having touched the lives of thousands in the Gold Coast sporting community and beyond, powerhouse volunteer Mele Rhind died on April 9 after a brief battle with bowel cancer.

Mele Rhind (C) with daughters Madison Rhind and Roxanne Rhind. Picture: Supplied

Junior Titans netball coach Deanne Hamilton said it would take a dozen volunteers to match the contribution of the late Mele Rhind on the Gold Coast sporting scene.

Having touched the lives of thousands in the tight-knit netball community and beyond, the powerhouse volunteer died on April 9 after a brief battle with bowel cancer.

Rhind, 40, volunteered in administrative support roles with Gold Coast Touch, indoor netball, South Coast School Sport, the Titans, Queensland Tonga netball, Kings Siva dance group and the Gold Coast Run Crew, leaving an indelible mark on each organisation.

She is survived by husband Tawana and four children between the ages of four and 19 – William, Roxanne, Madison and Paisley.

A friend of six years, Hamilton worked side-by-side with Rhind in the Titans program.

Mele Rhind (C) with daughters Madison Rhind and Roxanne Rhind. Picture: Supplied

She said she hoped Rhind’s legacy could be preserved forever with a perpetual honour to carry her name and to be bestowed upon a volunteer or player who embodied the same traits of unceasing selflessness and commitment always shown by Rhind.

“She was just an all-round amazing volunteer,” Hamilton said. “She would just do anything for you, and once you were part of her friendship circle she basically brought you in as family

“There have been a lot of girls that Mele’s been able to help and support over the last few years so it’s hit the netball community pretty hard.

“She treated everyone just beautifully. She was such a generous soul with her time and her energy. I can’t believe how much she was able to fit into her life, with having the kids and then how much work that she did in the community as well.”

Rhind had bowel cancer diagnosed six months ago and died on April 9, weeks after her 40th birthday.

Hundreds of wellwishers attended her funeral in Southport on April 14.

Maddy Rhind (L) with mother Mele (R)

Rhind was known as a fierce competitor on the indoor and outdoor courts during her playing career but dedicated her life to supporting her children’s participation in the sport when the family moved to the Gold Coast a decade ago.

“She was a mum, and everything was about making sure the community organisations her kids were part of were supported,” Hamilton said.

“She was like the driving force behind everything that went on.

“To find someone like that, who’s not just passionate for the sport, not just because of her own children, but because she saw everybody as her friends and as her own ­children.

“If you take that out of any community, it will take a dozen people to make up for the energy that Mele had. She was just such a doer – if it needed to be done, she’d do it.”

Hamilton said the next six to 12 months would be especially hard for the Gold Coast netball family without Rhind’s familiar presence.

“Because of who she was, with South Coast Schools and the Titans and everything else, it’s going to be weird to have those events come up without her there,” Hamilton said.

“It wasn’t just the behind the scenes. On gamedays, she was there. She lived and breathed being courtside. If you ever needed a hand she was the one who put her hand up.

“It’s hard to find volunteers like that these days, who don’t expect anything in return, and that was Mele. She just did everything for the people.”

The family has invited those wishing to support them through this trying period to donate.

Details for donations can be found on the Instagram account of Rhind’s husband Tawana – ­@tawanarhind.

Originally published as Gold Coast mum Mele Rhind leaves lasting legacy in sport after cancer fight