If you follow Narooma sport, chances are you’ve heard of Simon Mackie.
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Mackie is the man who kicked 105 goals in the Narooma Lions Football Club’s run to the grand final last year. He’s also the man who scored an explosive 43 runs in the Southern Eurobodalla Cricket Club’s upset, semi-final win over Merimbula earlier this year.
But you wouldn’t know it from talking to him. A quiet, unassuming man, Mackie is definitely one who lets his play on the field tell the story.
Simon, his wife Kirby, and their two kids Mia, 11, and Clive, 3, have become a big part of the Narooma sporting landscape since their recent move back to the area.
“I moved up here with my family when I was seven from Victoria, and recently moved back to town after spending five-or-six years away,” Simon said.
My family is back here, and Kirby and I always wanted to get back because it was home for us.
- Simon Mackie
“I think I took the place for granted. It’s such a great town to be in, so I wanted to get back.
“My family is back here, and Kirby and I always wanted to get back because it was home for us. The luxury of being by the water and bringing the kids up in a place like this is great.”
As well as the Lions and Pirates, the Mackie’s are also involved with the Eurobodalla Football Association, the Narooma Surf Life Saving Club, and the Narooma Swimming Club.
“My daughter is a good swimmer, so having the indoor pool and facility is really good,” Simon said. “They’ve got a great coach now, so she’s bloomed this year since coming back.”
Simon may be a dominant force on the field now, but he admits he’s slowing down.
“I feel a lot slower than I used to be,” he said. “You’ve just got to know your body, know your role, and do what you can.”
Being involved in about five-or-six different clubs in one hit is really good for us; good for the kids and good for the town.
- Kirby Mackie
Kirby is also from the area, as she moved to Narooma as a teenager.
“We moved away for teaching, but moved back to provide for the kids,” she said. “The family network has been really good, and the community spirit around here is really strong.
“Being involved in about five-or-six different clubs in one hit is really good for us; good for the kids and good for the town.
“It’s really important to be involved where you’re at, and to give that little bit back.”
Kirby is sporty now, but didn’t always consider herself an athlete.
“It wasn’t until Simon and I got together that I took on the sports role,” she said. “I got a lot of confidence and lost a lot of weight as a result of that.
“I’ve been really grateful marrying a really sporty bloke, and that’s seeped down through the family now, since then we’ve all really shined.”
Kirby also relished the chance to get back to her childhood home.
There’s a lot of respect, and a lot of involvement, and I think it’s a place to really grow as a family.
- Kirby Mackie
“Narooma is such a beautiful place to be,” she said. “Everyone knows everyone, but they also give you space when you need it as well.
“There’s a lot of respect, and a lot of involvement, and I think it’s a place to really grow as a family.”
And while the family is often busy, they do occasionally find themselves with some down time.
“It’s funny sometimes, we do get a day where there’s nothing on, and it goes real slow,” Simon said. “We don’t know what to do.”
“We almost kill each other if we don’t have something active to do,” Kirby said. “If we’ve got nothing to do, we’ll go to the gym for an hour and get the pump going.
“When you’re active, you get a confidence boost.”