GROWING up outside Parkes in regional NSW, medical professional Amber Barber is used to travelling long distances at all hours of the day to provide care and support for people in need.
Since linking with the Nelson Bay Rugby Club four years ago, the health care guru has proved an asset to the Gropers with her prompt medical intervention from the sidelines keeping both the men’s and women’s players in tip top health.
Amber’s sterling voluntary service was recognised recently when she was named Club Person of the Year for 2025 – the Gropers’ most prestigious honour.
It has been a fascinating journey for the hardworking country girl who started with the NSW Ambulance Paramedics in 2001 and travelled long distances throughout the state while also volunteering her time for St Johns in her local area.
Seeking a sea-change, Amber moved to Port Stephens in late 2020.
Wanting to continue her volunteer work, she literally walked into a Gropers home game at Bill Strong Oval with her medical kit – partway through the 2022 Hunter Suburban Rugby season – and asked if they required a First Aid officer.
Amber was pointed in the direction of Nelson Bay Rugby Club’s Vice President Brad McLeay who jumped at the chance. The club stalwart handed Amber a branded shirt from the merchandise table and directed her to the sideline midway through a Premier Two second grade fixture.
A dedicated professional, Amber forms a highly skilled sideline medical team partnership with physio Zac Manning and strapper Hugh Thompson, who support both the club’s men’s and women’s teams.
When Manning, the women’s team’s medical support, went overseas, the indefatigable Barber covered both squads by trekking long distances from Newcastle to the Upper Hunter in one day.
Not content with a support role, she has taken the lead in ensuring Nelson Bay Rugby’s medical supplies are enhanced, by adding an oxygen resuscitation kit and the “green whistle” for pain relief.
Amber has developed a great rapport with the players, committee members and support staff of Nelson Bay Rugby Club by constantly putting others first.
It is not uncommon for her to drop-in to check on injured players at their home throughout the season.
One example was an away fixture against premiers Scone Brumbies back in August when Nelson Bay captain and lock Adam Edwards required stitches for a cut above his eye.
Amber accompanied the forward warrior after the game to the Mater Hospital in Newcastle and waited with him until 2am to bring him home after he was stitched.
Another example was at the Crescent Head Women’s Sevens tournament earlier this year where Amber arrived at the ground early to set up.
Being a registered volunteer SAM responder she received a call to attend a cardiac arrest for an unconscious member of the public in the township.
Following the call out, Amber returned to the ground to continue supporting the Nelson Bay team, which won the carnival for a fourth successive year.
The respected medico is always happy to share her skills and equipment on game day with rival clubs in the Hunter Rugby competition to support their players and is a virtual “jill of all trades” – further assisting the Gropers as a photographer and having completed her Responsible Service Of Alcohol certificate (RSA) to help work the bar at home games and at club functions after her sideline commitments are done for the day.
The Club Person of the Year honour follows her Dean Como Award for dedication over and above during the 2024 season.
In her spare time, Amber is a green thumb growing a wide variety of vegetables from her garden then bagging them up and distributing them to her friends, players and fellow sideline support group.
By Chris KARAS
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