Scott Abra: Long-serving Old Boys treasurer is an Unsung Sports Hero

So instead of working on his family's 485-hectare sheep, cattle and cropping property just outside Bingara, the 50-year-old plotted a different course in life.

"I was never gonna stay on the farm; it never appealed to me," he said, adding: "We're all wired differently."

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His younger brother Hamish now runs the farm (Abra's father and mother, Trevor and Judy, who bought the farm in the '60s, are retired and live in town at Bingara.)

"Hamish is a sheerer as well and he loves the land," said Abra, who is the latest recipient of the Leader's Unsung Sports Hero accolade.

He continued: "There were a lot of tough times [on the farm], with droughts and whatever else."

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After getting his start in the accounting industry when he got a job in Barraba straight out of ahigh school, Abra has gone on to live a fulfilling life - where, as you'd expect from an accountant, stability has been key.

Sitting behind his desk at Forsyths, where he is a senior bookkeeper, he reflected on his fortunate life.

That includes turning a childhood love of numbers into a successful career.

It also includes his 25-year marriage to Teresa (they celebrated their silver anniversary in September) and the couple's two children, Kaitlin, 22, and Jonathon, 19.

Added to that soul-nourishing mix is Abra's longstanding commitment to Old Boys Cricket Club.

For almost two decades he has served as Old Boys treasurer (his current role) or secretary-treasurer, after following mates to the club.

He has managed Old Boys' finances during what has been a golden reign for them.

"Being an accountant, it was a role I thought I could do pretty well," Abra said.

When the Leader asked Old Boys president Ben Middlebrook to nominate someone for the Unsung Sports Hero honour, he chose Abra, who arrived in Tamworth in the early '90s.

Abra still plays cricket "every now and then - usually fourth grade".

And he fondly recalled his sole first-grade appearance at the club "many years ago".

He was 12th man for a clash against City United.

When Simon Norvill left the match early, Abra got his chance - although he did not get to bat.

Middlebrook, Old Boys' first-grade captain, said Abra "always takes a role on [Old Boys] committees" and was "always the first to stick his hand up and help in any way, shape or form".

"He's a great volunteer for the club, and we are very lucky to have him at Old Boys and TDCA [the Tamworth District Cricket Association]," Middlebrook said.