When Vic Gooding first rolled into Moranbah in 1977, it was meant to be a job, a few houses and a fresh start away from the city life. What it did become was a lifetime.
“I first came to Moranbah with my building partner to build a few houses for Wilson Hart from Maryborough in 1977. We were living on the Gold Coast and decided to get out of the city life,” Vic said.
Nearly five decades later, Vic is still here, still involved, and still giving back to the community that became home.
“We really enjoyed the way of life here, work hard, play hard and have a good time with good people.”
Looking back, Vic says it is easy to forget just how quickly the town grew, and how much of that growth was powered by locals putting their hands up.
“At the time you take it for granted the way Moranbah developed into a great town.”
For Vic, community has always been tied closely to local sport, and he has spent decades helping keep it strong. If you have spent any time around rugby league in Moranbah, chances are you have heard his name connected to the Moranbah Sharks and the Miners Rugby League Club.
“The Miners Rugby League Club itself developed into a great community club, especially when the Leagues Club opened.”
His involvement became official in 1985, joining the committee under President Pat Hannay, but the commitment never stopped after that first step. Today, Vic is still there behind the scenes, doing the work that keeps local sport running.
“I just love being involved with the club, still the Secretary and Registrar of the football club.”
It is the kind of steady service that often goes unnoticed, but without it, clubs struggle. Vic has been one of the quiet contributors helping keep Moranbah’s sporting culture alive.
Ask around town and people will tell you the same thing, Vic is always there. Whether it is offering advice, lending a hand, or simply turning up when someone needs support, he has become a mentor to many, and a friend to even more.
Vic’s working life is also closely connected to Moranbah’s construction history, and to the families who backed the town’s growth early. He recalls getting involved with the Bourke family business BARAK, during a period where demand was rising and the town needed builders who could deliver.
“I first got involved with Darryl and Cynthia Bourke in about 1980 when I started working for their family business, BARAK.”
Vic became the supervisor of subcontractors during BARAK’s work building houses for UTAH, and in doing so, formed relationships that carried beyond the job site.
This year the town farewelled Darryl Bourke, known to many simply as “Bourkey”.
“Darryl Bourke was one of the founding members of the Moranbah Sharks. He was always involved doing things and that is why the field was named after him.”
The Moranbah Rugby League Club oval proudly carries his name, Darryl Bourke Oval, a reminder of the legacy he helped build.
Vic wanted to make sure his Community Champion story also made room to honour his late friend.
“I would like to take this opportunity to remember my friend Darryl Bourke who passed away recently, who was also a great contributor to Moranbah.
“We will all miss Bourkey for what he’s done for Moranbah and all that knew him.”
Vic’s story is not just about what he built with timber and tools, it is about what he has helped build socially, through sport, volunteering, and showing up year after year. He came for work, stayed for the people, and became one of them.
