Ian “Macca” MacKenzie on stage for Wynnum Manly Rugby League presentation night

This week we caught up with long time Wynnum Manly Rugby League supporter and Wynnum identity Ian ‘Macka’ MacKenzie, to discuss his involvement with the Wynnum Manly Rugby League Football Club.

Ian commenced teaching at Wynnum North State Primary school in 1975, most children in the Wynnum Manly district were taught by Ian at school from the 1970’s to the 1990’s, as he was a relief teacher and administrator throughout the Wynnum district.

Ian loved being involved in schoolboy rugby league, coaching the 43kg Wynnum Manly representative sides, these teams still compete against many country teams today.  The Under 12’s rugby league district teams were also coached by Ian.

In 1989, Ian started commercial net fishing with Seb Wilke and became a professional crabber in 1991, this was to be the year that he would stop teaching on a full-time basis.  He continued to teach part time as well as pro crabbing, however by most Friday’s was really feeling the effects of holding down two jobs.  This is when Macka decided that he would stick to pro crabbing.

Camera In My Mind launched by Ian MacKenzie in 1997

An opportunity presented itself in 1993 to be the Manager of the first grade Wynnum Manly Rugby League team, alongside their coach Gary Seaton.  “This is when I started writing poems for all the players who had played 10 plus years for the club, I also put together a Wynnum Manly Rugby League 50th Year anniversary poem in the year 2000,” Ian said.  

Macca always enjoyed Australian poetry and found it quite easy to rhyme the words about great times spent with mates.  He had always written poems during his spare time, as well as making many of them up on the spot.

“It was 1997 after constant badgering from long time friend Pamela Beverley that I decided to write and publish a book.”   “I was lucky enough to have Kym Jones create all the illustrations and have well known poet Rupert McCall’s acknowledgement in a foreword,” said Ian.

One of Ian’s greatest footballing memories was Luke Daziel Don holding the Queensland Cup aloft after winning the 2011 and 2012 Grand Finals.  “Luke played with my son Blair in the juniors and to see Luke progress to be captain of Wynnum and leading them on for two premierships wins, has a special meaning to all my family.”  “He’s a good man and a good mate.”

Ian and his wife Lynne are now enjoying life on the Sunshine Coast, doing quite a bit of reef and taylor fishing.  He still loves his trips to Fraser and Stradbroke Islands with Boo Boo (Gavin Clayphan) and a few of the Wynnum boys.  XXXX Gold is still Ian’s beer of choice on a daily basis.

Ian said, “I have met so many fine people through my time with the Wynnum Manly Juniors and Seniors, a very fortunate part of my life.”

The poem written by Ian MacKenzie to celebrate 50 years of Wynnum Manly Rugby League in the year 2000