Tastefully decorated in the club’s green and gold colours, the Ailsa Fitzsimmons Clubhouse was packed for the end-of-season celebrations with more than 120 players, supporters, sponsors and guests.

The gala evening finalised a memorable year for the Cobar Camels whose 2009 season highlights included a finals appearance by the Second XV, the best Louth Race Meeting, Cobar Show bar and an improvement in crowd numbers at home matches.

Home games seemed to be on the improve this year, both financially and in attracting crowd numbers, according to club president Stuart Long.

“The crowd at Ailsa Fitzsimmons Oval during the Bourke match was on a par with the intercode Charity Shield match against the Cobar Roosters in the pre-season,” Mr Long said.

“Measuring our club’s success during 2009 shouldn’t be determined on the number of games we win but on getting out into the community.”

Saturday evening’s celebrations began with MC Will Brown’s welcome to guest speaker Tagi Sateki Tuipulotu whose three World Cup appearances for Tonga have been followed by coaching stints at Sydney clubs.

Although born in New Zealand, Sateki played international rugby for Tonga against Wales in 1994, then in three World Cup sides, 1995, 1999 and 2003 and eight years in England before retiring.

“Being happy in your life outside rugby - families and work - makes you a better rugby player,” Sateki told his Cobar rugby compatriots.

“The way I see it, rugby is life.

“Rugby has taken me to heights I never thought I could achieve, meeting people and coming here to Cobar for the Camels presentation evening.

“Something I would like to share - on a rugby pitch I like taking risks. So go out there and have a go, because if you don’t you will always wonder what could have been.”

Following a delicious roast dinner club stalwarts Cheryl and Greg Black were given life membership for their long commitment to the club.