TWO popular figures at Tyntynder were awarded life membership earlier this month.
Robert Rust and Brad Carroll were surprised to be inducted into the exclusive category at a special club function which saw fellow life member Ross Cleeland announced the awards.
Rust started out at the club as a junior parent when sons Leigh and Sean played for the Bulldogs.
His family has a long association with the club, with dad Tom and uncle Jim both life members and remembered via the Rust Shield, awarded annually to the Best Club Person.
Rust is a reliable figure in the time-keepers’ box, where he has turned up week in and week out for over 22 years.
After playing reserves for Carlton in 2000, Carroll has remained loyal to Tyntynder.
Carroll’s storied career reached another milestone earlier this year when he played his 300th game.
He said he expected to play on next season and would help the Bulldogs with recruiting for 2015.
He is the fifth life member from his family, with his grandfather Hec Cameron, his parents Rod and Dawn, and his uncle Russell Cameron all life members.
Carroll said it was an honour to join them.
“I was very surprised and proud at the same time,” Carroll said.
Rust said he was so taken aback that he couldn’t recall what he said.
“I was shocked. It’s a way of life; you followed a club, and you followed it right through,” he said.
