For more than four decades, Richard “Richie” Thomas has been a much-loved face around Nixon Park. Richie has been a loyal Temora Kangaroos supporter since the early 1980s, attending almost every home game – rain, hail or shine – and faithfully keeping score across the matches. In 2025, the Junior Committee set out to take Nixon Park to the next level with a new LED scoreboard. With support from the Senior Club, an AFL Telstra Grant, ECU Grant and generous donations from local families and businesses, the project became a wonderful community effort. MBC Ag led the construction of the frame and erection, while Chris McAuley Electrical completed the electrical work and training to get the scoreboard game-day ready. As a tribute to Richie’s many years of service, the scoreboard was named the Richard Thomas Scoreboard. It also means Richie can now help keep score from the comfort of the timekeepers’ box, rather than standing outside in the elements. Junior Club President Mick Oliver thanked everyone involved, particularly Brad & Toni Scott, Mark Crawford and Chris McAuley, saying, “Without their countless volunteer hours, it simply wouldn’t have been possible." For a man who has spent more than 40 years keeping an eye on the scores at Nixon Park, it seems only fitting that Richard Thomas now has a scoreboard bearing his name – a permanent reminder of one Kangaroos legend who has always been there when his club needed him.
