The vast auditorium could not hold the hundreds of locals who gathered to remember Mr Wand, who passed away suddenly last week.

Mourners who could not squeeze into the auditorium, where there was standing room only, were ushered to other sections of the club to watch the service on television screens.

Mr Wand, who received an Order of Australia Medal in January, was remembered as an outstanding man and rugby league coach and administrator, and a longtime and dedicated worker for many causes including Soldiers Beach Surf Life Saving Club, Wyong’s Heritage Committee, and the Masonic Lodge Wyong-Tuggerah Lakes.