As part of our One On One Series we speak with recent recipient of the Order Of Australia Medal (OAM) Mr Kevin Kaeser OAM, discussing a number of topics from where he started life, his progression in life and a life of giving to others to today.
Most people know of Kevin in the local area first as a board member and is often seen at the Caboolture Sports Club which has served the Caboolture region as a venue for entertainment and locals to gather enjoy fine food and events that are often held. Kevin was also there when the club was kicked off as a entity in 1994 laying the foundations of its success today.
Kevin was also heavily involved in Rugby Union all the while Caboolture Sports Club has been in existence including 3 years concentrating only on Rugby Union by taking time off being a Board member of the Club.
He has also been heavily involved with Caboolture Rugby Union Club since its beginnings as well.
More on that shortly, however we should go way back to where Kevin was born at Julia Creek in Western Queensland back in 1949, growing in the bush as it is known, while in Julia Creek he got in to Rugby League because that is all they played and is where he grew up until he was 14 where the whole family moved to Sydney.
After the move to Sydney young Kevin attended Nudgee College, where he got a taste for Rugby Union, while at the college and has never looked back, although going on to play in Sub Districts Rugby, League Rugby at Nambour before coming to Caboolture.
It is in Caboolture he also became interested in Squash but Rugby was never far away in his keen interest so after talking to a few of his squash mates they decided why not start a Rugby Union Club and together they all agreed why not indeed back in 1982-82.
So they did, Kevins wife Julia put an ad in the local paper asking if any one was interested in joining and forming the Caboolture Rugby Union Club meeting at Camody’s Hotel one night and did just that create a new club.
So in 1982 the Club formed and Kevin has been involved ever since and with a smile kevin muses over the many awards and top of the tables that Caboolture Snakes taking out grand finals, certainly has been well worth starting it and keeping with it as its grown to one of the more successful clubs in the region.
Just to give you some idea just how much a part of Rugby Union kevin is have a look at these pointers.
Kevin was on the founding committee of the Caboolture Rugby Union Football Club established in 1982.
A Grade Coach 1982, 83, 84.
Sunshine Coast representative player 1983, 1984.
Held every executive position on the Committee from 1983 to 2010 (President 7 years, Junior President 4 years, Treasurer 4 years, Secretary 3 years, Committee member 6 years).
Member of the Brisbane Junior Rugby Union Executive Committee 2002, 2003.
Coach of Junior teams from 1987 to 2009.
Northern Region State under 12, 13 & 14 Coach in State Championship from 1996, 1997 & 1998.
Manager of Northern Region State under 16 side in State Championship in 2000.
Had the honour of the Rugby Union Fields named after me in 1988 (The Kevin Kaeser Fields).
Instigated Rugby Union skills sessions in local schools three years in a row using local teachers and available club coaches in 1994, 1995, 1996.
Awarded a regional volunteer certificate in the Moreton Bay Regional area by then Member Peter Slipper.
Since 2011 The A Grade team has been in the final series for every year with exception to 2019 only because of the loss of some legendary players with 9 retiring and so the team is in regrowth period now rebuilding stocks for the next generation of players.
The Womens Team is undefeated which he is immensely proud of.
Now let us reflect on the Caboolture Sports Club for Kevin was not resting on his laurels, after kick starting the Caboolture Rugby Union Club, he had many plans for the Caboolture Region after tired of doing it the hard way with raffles and cakes, talking with some mates once again discussing finances and how to get bigger dollars in while helping others.
So began the idea of creating a club that would not only help his club but other clubs in the region together with some “enlightened gentlemen” as Kevin describes them. Of the likes of Nick Klein, Neville Lyle, Nev Bell (Touch) and Kev Melton (Touch) they said lets forget “the Chook raffle” lets band together and create a club that will help fund us all.
The First order of business was to seek membership as you need members to launch such a venture and before you can apply for a licence.
in 1994 the big call out was made, the committee formed, however it was 1997 before the new building would be built and doors opened, but not without a lot of passion by a lot of people, of course Kevin like many others on the early committee put their own money on the table to kick the ambitious project off the ground.
The Foundation member clubs was Caboolture Rugby Union Club, Caboolture Touch Club, Caboolture Football Club, Caboolture Cricket Club, Caboolture Softball and Caboolture Dog Obedience. All of these clubs have done well and passionately all are members for the Caboolture Sports Club to this day.
Now to trace Kevins work history you will see the many skills he has learnt in his life has brought him to where he is today.
Kelvin commenced his employment in the hospitality industry at the age of eighteen (18) throughout a number of venues in his home town of Tweed Heads.
1968 to 2003 Department of Main Roads in Queensland employee serving as senior project officer in Workplace Reform from 1998 to 2003.
Up to 1998 Civil Construction supervisor and Project Manager.
In the year 2000 he ventured north to Queensland and was appointed Secretary Manager of the Blue Fin Fishing Club.
2003 to 2013 Senior Civil Inspector working foe the Aurecon Group inspecting numerous major projects throughout Queensland and Western Australia.
In 2004 he was employed as the Secretary Manager of the Caboolture Sports Club and later as the club’s Chief Executive Officer.
Kevin has been the Rugby Union representative on the CSC Board of Directors all but 4 years since its inception and was on the first board for CSC back in 1996.
Nominated as Life Member to the Caboolture Rugby Union Football Club in 1995 and nominated as Life Member to Caboolture Sports Club in 2005.
Kevin has been Chairman for Caboolture Sports Club Limited for the past three years.
2013 to present Retired
All through this Kevin says “giving back to communities is a pretty important thing” while he says the volunteering drive is dwindling off a bit these days he says that is due to work commitments for many of todays locals however he does say that todays pensioners may find a new lease of life by getting in to volunteering and who knows it may eve spur the younger ones to have a go.
When asked what was the proudest moment in his life of giving what would it be, Kevin took some time and smiled. As the rugby guy as he puts it there have been many cases where young up and coming rugby players couldn’t afford the fees to join up, it would be a quick decision by Kevin to say here!! , now go play rugby. Many of these players kept playing rugby as fine players and have given back to their clubs ten fold.
Today that same kind of giving to players to help them out is in the form of the Luke Howard Memorial Fund that Kevin set up, which is keenly supported by members and players to give new rugby players a helping hand should they need it.
Kevin also says coaching young kids has been wonderfully rewarding and continues to help mentor young players.
The Order of Australia Medal was sponsored by The Hon. Mark Ryan MP as member for Morayfield and gazetted by the Governor Of Queensland Paul De Jersey AC
Kevin says its a high honour and is proud to be a local lad.
It will in September when the official investiture will happen congratulations Kevin Kaeser OAM.
