Tom and Bev with youngest grandson.

TOM and Bev Fink are legends in Rugby League in the Penrith district, with both heavily involved with Cambridge Park JRLFC and Penrith Junior Rugby League.

The couple began their involvement with Cambridge Park JRLFC in 1985, when eldest son Jeff began playing in the junior ranks.

Tom coached various teams from 1985-1995 whilst also performing other various roles including setting up of the fields, working the BBQ and line marking.

Tom and Bev’s involvement continued every Saturday and Sunday for the next 10 years, with Bev undertaking numerous volunteer roles, including committee member, Registrar, Secretary and Timekeeper, amongst other roles, whilst Tom’s varied roles included coaching, committee member and groundsman (setting up the field).

They joined Penrith JRL in 1992 and Tom would serve in various roles over the ensuing years, starting out as junior vice president. He was the Chairman from 2010-2013. His other roles in the PDRL included District Registrar and spending 14 years on the judiciary panel.

In 2003 Tom was awarded a Penrith City Council Wall of Achievement Award in the sports category.

Bev was also heavily involved with PJRL and worked for many years on the Entry Gates, assisted with registrations and processing, and various roles in the junior league office.

Both have been awarded Life Memberships of the PJRL. Tom awarded in 2001 and Bev in 2006.

Raised in Rooty Hill and Panania respectively, Tom and Bev met at the Westmead Speedway and were married in 1967.

They moved to Cambridge Park in 1972 and have lived in the suburb continuously since that time.

They have three children (Jeff, Kelly, Tracey) and six grandchildren.

In addition to volunteering with rugby league, both have been constantly active in the Penrith district, including the Parents & Citizens Association in both Primary and High School and Bev working in the school canteen..

Bev was diagnosed with Cancer in 2007 and upon her remission, has been a volunteer at the Cancer Clinic at Nepean District Hospital for the past 14 years. In 2023, Bev was runner-up for Volunteer of the Year for NSW Cancer Council.

She volunteered for many years for Relay for Life, sells Daffodils on Daffodil Day (the Cancer Council’s annual fund-raising day in Australia) and crochets blankets for the Cancer Council (plenty of them in football team colours).

Tom was a truck driver and also worked as a Doorman at Panthers, where he was able to collect autographs from performing artists and rugby league legends.

A triple bypass culminated with his retirement from work but it did not deter either his or Bev’s determination to continue volunteering in the community.

Age and health have made an impact in the latter stages of their lives but their enthusiasm to volunteer has never waned.

Tom and Bev Fink was nominated as a Legend of the Nepean by Shawn Borger.
If you know a local legend, send us a nomination at nepeannews@aol.com