THE City of Penrith RSL sub-Branch conducted an RSL Veterans service for the late Douglas (Doug) Buist Rennie OAM at Pinegrove Memorial Park on Friday 12th September. The service was led by Peter Ward, assisted by Vice President Len Halvorsen and Shannon Butler WSO (Welfare Support Officer).

Doug joined the sub-Branch in 1968, having served in the Royal Army Service Corp (RASC) in Malaya during the Second World War, and was honourably discharged at the rank of Sergeant.

Doug was born on 18th of January 1934 and grew up in Corstorphine, UK.

He attended James Gillespie’s HS in Edinburgh, along with actor Sean Connery, who was four years older. Their paths may not have crossed but Doug liked to tell the tale of his brush with fame.

Upon leaving school, Doug started an apprenticeship as a printer and met future wife Elsie at a dance when he was 17 years old. It was love at first sight, although their relationship was put on hold for a couple of years when Doug was conscripted into the Army and sent to Malaya for two years.

When he was discharged, he headed home and the couple were married in 1957, living with Elsie’s mother Agnes, who later lived with Doug and Elsie until she passed away.

In 1958, Doug and Elsie welcomed Douglas Junior into the family, and in 1961 they migrated to Australia, initially living in Dulwich Hill until their new family home in Cosgrove Crescent, Kingswood was completed. Doug and Elsie lived in Kingswood for almost 60 years.

Doug started working at Studio Press in Sussex Street, before moving to the Government Printing Office, and eventually retired from there when it closed down.

Douglas Rennie Junior said, “My father was the best father a son could ever have. He was loving, caring and always around to encourage me to do my best and support me in so many ways.

“Dad had a wonderful personality, great sense of humour, loved to banter and could communicate with people at all levels. He was a quiet achiever and a humble person. He was a people person and touched the hearts of so many people that he met.

“He certainly was the best role model I could have ever had and has made me into the person I am today. His influence is reflected down through my four sons, who I am very proud of, and to my grandchildren – Dads’ great grandchildren.

“I am very grateful to this day for my Father and Mother leaving their mothers and fathers, family and friends to come to Australia to improve Mum’s health, and to provide better opportunities for me and my brother Finlay.

“Dad was a Printer by trade and travelled from Kingswood to Sydney for work, which meant he was away from home for a lot of his time. But he still managed to spend time with his family and get involved with my school and was President of the P&C, attended church, played soccer, coached me at soccer, and was later a soccer referee.

“I will always remember Dad at my Primary School’s end of year prize-giving event and delivering his speech as President of the P&C. I sat mesmerised with awe hearing his Scottish accent through the microphone, just like Sean Connery. And after the rousing applause, I sat there so proud and saying to myself “I want to be just like you Dad”. He was indeed a great public speaker.

“I don’t need to tell you that his biggest love and passion was the world game – Football. Growing up in Edinburgh, Dad lived for some time alongside Hearts Football Club’s ground. He was invited to trial for Hearts Football team, but I was being delivered into the world, so it wasn’t to be.

“When Dad arrived in Australia he played for Pan Hellenic, Sydney Austral, Kingswood Tigers and Blue Mountains Soccer Clubs. He later joined the local Nepean District Soccer Referees and took up refereeing, progressing to State level, National League and international fixtures, and the rest is history.

“Dad loved all his family. He loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren and was always taking the time to be a part of their lives. He loved joining in to the backyard cricket match and playing soccer. Attending weddings, christenings and birthday parties, playing golf with his sons and grandchildren, which included the Leonay Community Golf Events and the Soccer Referees Annual golf day.

“Dad was good at all sports – snooker, billiards, table tennis, darts and bowls, just to name a few.

“We never know when it is our time of our passing and like Mum, we were losing Dad from Alzheimer’s Dementia. So the last five years of his life were not that great when he moved into a Nursing Home, which was the toughest decision the family had to make at this time. He was a strong, independent person and 100% dedicated to protecting and holding on to the love of his life, Elsie.

“Dad visited Mum every day at the nursing home and when his driver’s license was stopped, at times without transport, he would walk to the nursing home in Penrith and later back to his home in Kingswood. I know it was tough for Dad watching the love of his life being taken by Alzheimer’s vascular dementia.

“After many years of visiting Dad at the Nursing home, it now feels strange that he is no longer there and as his son, my duty and care for Dad is complete.

“He was much loved by all the doctors, nurses and care staff. He had a great life and made every post a winner – and family first!”

Football NSW wrote ‘Doug Rennie OAM was born in Scotland and emigrated to Australia in 1961. He played for Pan Hellenic and Sydney Austral, before joining Nepean Referees association in 1964.

Doug progressed through to the international level to control matches against Greece, Mexico, England, Czechoslovakia and touring club teams, as well as NSL grand finals.

Named ‘Australian Referee of the Year’ in 1984, Doug became Match Inspector and State Coach of referees in NSW. He was chairman of the Referees Committee at three World Cup qualifying tournaments, the Women’s World Cup and is a Life Member of both State and National bodies.

He was awarded the OAM in 1994 and all of Football NSW sends its condolences to the Rennie family and those closest to Doug, and everyone he impacted through football over the years.’

Penrith City Council had previously acknowledged Doug naming the Doug Rennie Field in Kingswood, which is the home of the Penrith Waratahs JRLC.