Gray has filled most posts in netball while following her three daughters play at Thurgoona, J.C. King Park and Albury.

She's also spent countless hours as a volunteer for the Tallangatta and District Football League while her husband, Rex, has been vice-president and president.

When not on the sporting scene, Gray is baby-sitting grand-children or working at her Albury business.

Although Gray prefers to adopt a low-profile, she gave an insight about her time in the game when interviewed by The Border Mail this week.

BRETT KOHLHAGEN: You received a nice little surprise last Friday night when awarded life membership of the Tallangatta and District Football League?

PAULINE GRAY: It was a huge surprise. We had been planning a small get together and few drinks for months and quite a few people came along which was nice but a bit strange. They ambushed me (laughs). Ben (Nixon) walked out and did the nomination and Ena (Williams) presented it to me. It was nice of them.

BK: Only two other women - Rhonda Maddock and Ena Williams - are life members of the football league so you're in very good company

PG: Yes, I'm very shocked and embarrassed. I don't blow my own trumpet or do it for the awards or anything like that. I just like doing the behind the scenes things and you do it because you do it.

BK: You've done a lot of behind the scenes work since your husband, Rex, became league vice president about 20 years ago. Don't be modest, what have been some of your main tasks?

PG: During the finals I do the banking and collating of all the data. I guess I coordinate the president lunches and get things ready with the help of a lot of people. It's not just me. I help out with Rex's minutes for meetings and things like that. Just those sort of things.

BK: Early starts during the finals I imagine?

PG: Yes, you often get up around 4am or 5am to start preparing the food to take out to Sandy Creek.

BK: Are you the calming influence in the relationship?

PG: No, Rex is very calm. He's not a stressful person. He will probably go quiet if anything as he processes it all. Sometimes I just need to give him a gentle prod to write up his minutes or notes. We work well together as a team. I guess that's why we have done it for a fair while.

BK: How long do you think you and Rex will stay involved with the TDFL?

PG: I will never tell Rex when he needs to resign as president. He will do it as long as he wants. I did the same with my netball. He will always be involved in some capacity though because I think he would miss it too much.

BK: You were involved in the Thurgoona Football Netball Club getting off the ground weren't you?

PG: We had just moved to Australia after being in New Zealand and it was the time Thurgoona were looking to form a club. Rex and I got on the steering committee. I was involved in the netball side and Rex the football. It's been sport for us since 1986-87.

BK: Tell us about the early days at Thurgoona?

PG: When the club started it had to have netball sides. It was a fairly big and long process. I played, umpired and coached and played with my girls (Deborah, Joanne and Caroline) which was great. We played on buckshot at the beginning before the courts were built. We started right from scratch.

BK: I'm guessing you held a fair few positions at the club?

PG: You do as you follow your children through. I think I've been president, secretary, coach, umpire and team manager over the years. Just like a lot of parents do.

BK: You must be proud of how far the club has come in the past 30 years?

PG: For sure. The netball has always been strong and there are always a lot of friendly faces when you come across people. I don't get to the games at Thurgoona anymore but I go and watch during the finals.

BK: You are a life member at J.C. King Park (Albury Netball Association) as well?

PG: I just followed the kids as they got older. I think I was at J. C. King Park from 1989 to about five years ago.

BK: You were involved at Albury for a reasonably long time as well with Deb coaching the club's A grade at one stage?

PG: Yes, we spent some time at Albury. The three girls were all good netballers and went on to play some rep netball.

BK: How do you think everything will go when the football hopefully returns from COVID-19 next year?

PG: It will be interesting next year to see how many footballers come back after a year off and being with their families. Lifestyles have changed a lot. I think there will be a big change.

BK: I'm sure you will have plenty on your plate anyway?

PG: Yes, I've got the grand kids a couple of days a week at home and then work so that keeps me busy.

BK: Thanks and congratulations on your life membership.

Does your club have an Unsung Hero with a story to tell The Border Mail?

Contact beau.greenway@austcommunitymedia.com.au