Launceston cricket legend Gavin Selby 'dedicated, honest'

Gavin Selby passed away in Launceston last Monday aged 72 following a sudden illness.

A loyal and dedicated family man, sportsman and volunteer, Selby's passing has prompted an outpouring of well-wishes and support online, with Launceston Cricket Club hailing him as a "legend" who continually gave to the club.

Born on October 4, 1948, Selby was the ninth of 11 children and grew up on farms in Hagley and Loira.

Like many of his seven brothers, Selby was a keen sportsman and played cricket and football for several decades in the West Tamar region.

He represented Exeter in both sports before branching out to Old Launcestonians Football Club, where he won two premierships under ex-Carlton player Chris Pavlou.

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He also spent more than two decades at Sidmouth Cricket Club, including 18 years as captain, and served as the club's coach, president and secretary en route to earning life membership.

He finished his cricket and football careers at Exeter, playing in the latter's sole reserves flag in 1974 and earning another life membership.

"He loved footy but cricket was his passion ... he was a really good cricketer and played country weeks for West Tamar," son Jade said.

"Cricket and footy at Exeter are my memories in the '80s, just going down and watching him play cricket and watching the footy club when he was helping coach or as an administrator.

"He did everything at that club [Sidmouth], but he always wanted to finish at Exeter where his brother was - he went back and ended up playing five years and captaining."

It was Selby's connection with Exeter Football Club, and then-playing coach Tim Coyle, that saw Jade sign up for Launceston Cricket Club as a nine-year-old.

Soon after, Selby was coaching an under-age Lions side - a role that kickstarted three decades of service to the club including 17 years as secretary and eight years as president.

He had recently taken up scoring for the first-grade side, and fulfilled the role when the club won its drought-breaking title earlier this year.

"He was a Launceston person because that's where I went, and for 30 years he dedicated his life to Launny Cricket Club, but he was a Northern person," Jade said.

"Wherever he went, he's so loyal and so willing to help - he wouldn't have got paid for anything he did.

"In 2007 he won the Tasmanian volunteer of the year and went over to the Allan Border Medal. He got to go to Cricket Australia as a volunteer of the year which I know he was pretty chuffed about because he didn't do it for any glory, he did it because he wanted to."

Equally as dedicated at work and with his family, Selby spent his career in the electrical and whitegoods industry, building up a loyal and trusting customer base across several businesses including Gunns and Begents, where he spent 15 years as general manager.

He is survived by Lois, his loving wife of 46 years, son Jade, daughter-in-law Alissa, and grandchildren Flynn and Evelyn.

"He was our family support, he was our family rock," Jade said.

"I was his best mate until my son Flynn came along - he was the greatest grandfather. He spoiled Flynn and Evelyn, as they [grandparents] do ... he'll be sorely missed because of that.

"I just think wherever he went he was extremely respected, extremely well-known and he was so honest - he'd give you an opinion and didn't care if it was popular or not.

"For me he just led by example of how to live life."

Gavin Selby's life will be celebrated at Punchbowl Christian Centre at 1pm on Monday.