THE Torquay community turned out in force to farewell Peter \u201cDrafty\u201d McIvor, who passed away suddenly earlier this month.<\/p>\n
A crowd of at least 400 people gathered on the oval at Spring Creek Reserve to celebrate the life of \u201cDrafty\u201d, who was a much-loved figure around both Torquay\u2019s football and cricket clubs.<\/p>\n
Caroline Meck \u2013 McIvor\u2019s youngest female cousin \u2013 gave a race-themed speech that was split into six sections about his life: The Family Plate, The Working Derby, The Marriage Plates, The Sporting Sprint, The Friendship Mile and The Drafty Cup (a mock race call featuring a number of Torquay personalities).<\/p>\n
She said the crowd was \u201cgathered here today with tear-stained eyes\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cJill and Taylor (McIvor\u2019s daughter) really want to get the message out there to as many people as they can. This is a tragedy. Death is inevitable, yes, but to take your own life is unbearably sad for those left behind.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone here needs to be able to feel they can put up their hand for help.\u201d<\/p>\n
Donations at the service went towards One In 5, beyondblue and Lifeline.<\/p>\n
McIvor played 150 games of footy for the Tigers, with his accolades including a member of the seniors grand final side in 1976, winning the best and fairest in 1977, and being named in Torquay\u2019s Team of the Decade in 1970-80, as well as the club\u2019s Team of the Century.<\/p>\n
McIvor was also the senior chairman of selectors in 1989, and a selector of the reserves side in 1995 and 1996.<\/p>\n
As an A Grade cricketer for Torquay, in the 1973-74 season he made 104 runs and took 7-44 in the same game, and took 8\/15 in a game in 1974\/75.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE Torquay community turned out in force to farewell Peter \u201cDrafty\u201d McIvor, who passed away suddenly earlier this month. A crowd of at least 400 people gathered on the oval at Spring Creek Reserve to celebrate the life of \u201cDrafty\u201d, who was a much-loved figure around both Torquay\u2019s football and cricket clubs. Caroline Meck \u2013 […]<\/p>\n