Life membership is an honour bestowed on one person but can
be attributed to many, according to Bunbury and Districts Badminton Association
stalwart, Max Strachan. For Max, the life membership would not have come had it
not been for many members.
“It takes a lot of other people to keep someone interested
and involved heavily for so many years.”
Strachan began playing with the Association in 1964 and
became involved in almost every aspect of the Association since then, including
being President in 1972, 1974-1976, 1980, 1985 and 1990.
Max’s association with the Bunbury and Districts Badminton
Association in an official capacity began back in 1965 when he served as an
Association delegate.
Possibly his greatest contribution to the Association and
the game has been his involvement in the junior coaching programme since 1971.
The record of junior success within the Association says
much for the interest shown by the senior members.
The Association has coached many under-age State
representatives over the years due mainly to facilities and the high standard
of coaching available.
Strachan had been a junior coach and junior club committee
member since 1971 and was also Association coach in 1972, 1976 and 1977.
He completed a diploma in coaching in 1971 and held an
umpire’s jacket from the Australian Badminton Umpire’s Committee.
Max’s association with the club was not limited to official
roles as he had an outstanding competition record at both Association and State
levels.
His playing started in the novice ranks and, after only four
years during which he won many B and A-reserve titles in Perth, Busselton,
Bunbury, Fremantle Collie and Wagin, became a Bunbury A grade player.
Over the years he held many Bunbury singles and doubles
titles. He also achieved three State doubles crowns.
In 1972 he trained for the State side and was included in
the final eight from which the final five were chosen. He captained Bunbury’s
winning Country Week teams in 1974 and 1975 and was captain of the team
representing Bunbury at the South-West Shield in 1972, 1974, 1979 and 1980,
with the team winning on all occasions. He was also selected to play for the
Country combined side versus the State team from 1974-1977.
After eventually retiring from the sport in 2000 Max
continued to play a mentoring role to many players for many years, maintaining a
keen interest in the Association for the rest of his life. Along with his wife,
Anne, he was a regular supporter of the annual South-West Bunbury Open
tournaments. Max was also a legendary Master of Ceremonies on many very popular
fundraising quiz nights, combining his knowledge and his amazing memory with
his great sense of humour.
Max passed away on the 31st December 2021,
leaving behind a lifetime of achievements not only relating to badminton but to
many other areas of his life.
His funeral is to be held at the Bunbury Crematorium in
Carey Park on Friday the 21st of January 2022 at 1pm.
Vale Max Strachan.
With thanks
to The SouthWestern Times-Thursday 1st October 1981