VALE PAUL McKINNEL
Vale Paul McKinnel
I’m sad to inform you that club stalwart, coach, committee member, bar manager, life member, volunteer, and friend to all in Wanneroo Rugby club, Paul McKinnel, passed away in Auckland New Zealand on Saturday 14th May.
His loving family was with him to the end.
On behalf of everyone at Wanneroo Rugby Club and Paul’s many friends in Perth’s rugby community, our deepest sympathy and condolences go to his wife Sue, daughter Stacey and son Heath.
Paul’s warmth and generosity of spirit made him special to all at Wanneroo. He will be sadly missed.
Paul McKinnel:
Paul & Sue moved to Perth in 1976 and stayed until 1978 before returning to NZ. During his time in WA, Paul must have got lost because he played his rugby at Nedlands.
The McKinnel’s stayed in NZ for eight years, before deciding to give Australia another go and returned to Perth in 1986. Paul joined Wanneroo as a first-grade player, but because he found employment in the nor west he played many games in the lower grades too.
When he finally hung his boots up, Paul decided to try coaching and was appointed assistant to Wanneroo first grade coach, and ex Maori All Black, Jim Joseph. Jim’s son Jamie played first grade for Wanneroo when he was about 17 years old. Jamie went on to become a multi capped All Black, before moving to Japan, where he became a Japanese International and is the current coach of Japan. Paul said he learned a lot from Jim and was privileged to have been able to help Jamie in his formative years.
Paul took a sabbatical from the Roo Dogs (with the club’s blessing) and went to Western Suburbs as a coach. He enjoyed his time at Wests and, as with Nedlands, he made lifelong friends there too.
Paul returned to Wanneroo after a three-year stint at West’s. He and his mate Jake Reedy got together and decided the club needed a lady’s team. So, they approached Wanneroo committee and submitted their proposal, which was accepted unanimously. Paul & Jake were appointed joint coaches of the inaugural Wanneroo ladies’ team in 1990. They coached together for three years, until tragedy struck when Jake was killed in a car crash.
Paul stepped back from coaching after that and took his talents onto the committee where he poured his heart and soul into improving the club for the benefit of the members and players.
In 2010 we decided to improve and extend the club house facilities. It took us more than three years to organise and complete the build. Many wonderful people contributed time and energy to the project, but few did more than Paul.
He participated with me in negotiations with builder and sponsor, Danny White of Danmar Homes, and he was a constant source of advice and information throughout the prebuild. As soon as we got final approval, Paul volunteered to be project manager for the construction. As usual, he did a fantastic job.
Construction finished in 2013, but Paul continued straight on and organised and supervised major renovations to the old change rooms, kitchen and club house ceilings.
In 2014, Paul & I negotiated with Danmar Homes again, to build a new storage shed for the club. Danny came to the party once more, and when construction was completed, Paul designed and organised the layout of the shed. He also designed, built and installed metal framework in the shed for storing the post pads and tackle bags.
You could be excused for thinking he might have needed a bit of R & R by now. But Paul threw himself straight into more voluntary work on the club’s behalf, as Bar Manager alongside his good mate Alf Pemberton. Over the next few years, they reorganised and restructured the bar operations. They did such a good job, that what was previously a fairly loose, volunteer operation became a professional, efficient, accountable and profitable business.
When his stint as bar manager finished, Paul became the unofficial maintenance officer. He did much work around the club, while continuing to work behind the bar and being pickup and delivery man for the bar, etc etc etc.
I could go on for ages about Paul’s loyalty and commitment to Wanneroo Rugby, but I’m sure you’ve got the gist of things by now.
Then, in 2019, Paul, his wife Sue and son Heath made the momentous decision to return to NZ. They wanted to join their daughter Stacey so the whole family could be reunited and live in close proximity to each other. We’d have loved him to stay, and Paul and Sue were sad at leaving, but we all know that family always comes first.
So, the McKinnel family got to experience the joy of their family reunion. But their idyllic life was suddenly affected when Sue was diagnosed with cancer in 2020. Sue is an amazing woman who got through many months of treatment with the love and support of her family. She has since had a recurrence and is still having treatment, but is positive in her approach. We wish her every good thought and positive vibes we can send.
Then Paul was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2021. After a while, he had to go into care because it affected his body, but he refused to let his illness define him and his cheeky smile was always there. Sue said he was always able to operate the TV and watch the rugby. He cherished the time he had with his family and held out for a long time before he left us.
Paul was a wonderful man who contributed more than most to Wanneroo Rugby Club. After so many years of him being such an integral and well-loved member of our club, we’ll miss his cheery smile and warmth.
As a life member, you will always be part of the Roo Dog family Paul.
RIP
Bill Watt