Geoff Noone: A kind, true gentleman and sports lover

On Friday, December 10, 2021, Geoffrey (Geoff) Miles Murray Noone, husband of Dorothy Bailey-Noone and Heather Noone (dec), father of Amanda and Rosemary and stepfather of Brent and Simeon, passed away at the age of 88 in Coffs Harbour, following a long illness.

Many in the Narrabri community will remember Geoff for his involvement in Apex, Rotary, St Xavier’s Parish Council and the Narrabri Blue Boars.

Geoff was born on April 3, 1933, to Edward (Ted) and Roseabelle (Rose) Noone at Delungra, a small town between Warialda and Inverell.

He grew up on the family farm ‘Fairfield’, with his siblings, brother Douglas born in 1940, and sister Pamela, born in 1938.

Geoff’s primary school years were spent at Inverell Primary School and a one-teacher school at Koloona, a small village twelve kilometres from Delungra, which no longer exists.

During his high school years, Geoff boarded at De La Salle College in Armidale.

It was here that he developed his love for rugby union.

Geoff worked at the Commonwealth Bank in Moree before meeting Inverell teacher Heather Furby, and after a courtship the couple celebrated their wedding at the Sacred Heart Church, Inverell in 1960.

Geoff and Heather moved to Walgett where Geoff worked with the City Mutual Life Assurance Company.

The newly married couple enjoyed their life in Walgett, and one year later their first daughter Amanda was born, in June 1961.

Geoff and Heather later relocated to Narrabri.

It was here that their second daughter Rosemary was born in 1962.

Geoff continued working with City Mutual for most of his working life, taking out many national awards.

Sadly, after battling cancer for several years, Heather passed away in April 1989.

Geoff had a big heart when it came to community involvement.

He was a member of Narrabri Apex Club until the designated Apex ‘retirement age’ of 40, and Geoff was awarded life membership of the club in August 1973.

During his time with Apex, Geoff was involved with many community events including the organisation of the famous Apex balls held at the Catholic Hall.

Geoff greatly enjoyed contributing to the writing of the ‘April Fool’s Day Apex Blunder’.

After leaving Apex, Geoff joined the Rotary Club of Narrabri.

During his time in Rotary, he served as secretary from 1977 to 1978 and became president of the club from 1982 to 1983.

Geoff was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship in 1995.

Geoff was also involved in mentoring Narrabri High School debating teams.

He assisted students with public speaking skills and adjudicated a variety of competitions.

Geoff became a Fellow of the Australia Life Underwriters Association in 1989.

His work with City Mutual involved a lot of time travelling around the district, often to Wee Waa, Walgett and further out west.

Geoff gained a huge amount of satisfaction from helping people to establish some financial security for later in life and made many lifelong friends along the way.

One of Geoff’s great loves was the Blue Boars Rugby Union Club.

He epitomised the Blue Boar spirit and poured a mountain of energy into developing and improving the club.

Geoff was club president from 1987 to 1991 and received the prestigious ‘Zingari Club Person of the Year Trophy’ in 1987.

He was honoured with life membership of the club in 1991.

The Narrabri Rugby Club ‘Geoff Noone Trophy’ shield for ‘Under 16 Most Improved Player’ has carried his name since 1999.

After a whirlwind relationship, Geoff married primary school teacher Dorothy Bailey at St Francis Xavier’s Church Narrabri in December 1990, and his family grew to include Dorothy’s two sons Brent and Simeon.

Geoff enjoyed Rotary immensely and is remembered for his work towards the relocation of the town clock and the establishment of the Narrabri Sheltered Workshop.

He participated in the Rotary Youth Exchange program and enjoyed hosting exchange students, particularly mentoring his protégées.

Over a period of time City Mutual Life Assurance Company became Colonial Mutual and finally merged to become the company MLC Limited.

Modernisation to office procedures and changes in the way life assurance agents and their long-term clients were managed contributed to a decision to retire from the insurance industry in late 1991.

Geoff and Dorothy purchased the Courier Shop in Maitland Street which they transformed into the successful DG’s book, stationery and giftware shop in 1993.

Geoff particularly loved working with books.

He enjoyed writing book reviews for The Courier and featured on a regular local radio sports segment on 2MaxFM.

After selling DG’s bookstore, Geoff and Dorothy moved to Coffs Harbour, where Geoff enjoyed his retirement and Dorothy continued to teach for 10 years.

Geoff was an active Rotarian and became a member of the Probus Club, holding many executive positions including president.

He was a regular and successful bowler enjoying both the game and the company at the Narrabri and Coffs Harbour clubs.
Geoff was a people person.

He was genuinely interested in and enjoyed getting to know people.

He valued his many friends and his family.

Geoff is greatly missed, especially by his wife Dorothy, daughters Amanda and Rosemary, stepsons Brent and Simeon and their families.