Graeme ‘Dorby’ Berriman packs down as hooker for Wingham
Graeme ‘Dorby’ Berriman was a one club man described as Wingham Tigers’ version of Tom Raudonikis because of his larrikin nature, never-say-die attitude and loyalty.
‘Dorby’won a Group 3 under-18 premiership in 1971 and that same year made his First Grade debut. The following year he played for the Tigers in their 24-7 loss to Wauchope in the First Grade Grand Final. Wauchope were inspired by former Test prop John Wittenberg who had moved to the area after having played four seasons with St George Dragons.
By the time Berriman’s playing career had finished in 1983 he had played 89 top grade game games and many others in the reserves, including a stint as captain-coach.
When he retired he joined the club’s committee and went on to become president. Berriman was made a Life Member in 1988 when he was in his mid-30s.
He left the Manning District for a time and lived in Sydney where at one stage he was licensee of a pub at Mt Druitt.
‘Dorby’ was a visitor to the Wingham dressing rooms just a fortnight before his passing on June 30, 2026, aged 73. There was a huge turnout at his funeral in Wingham on July 16. A minute’s silence was observed before the club’s July 4 home game.
A tribute on the club’s website read: ‘Dorby was a true Tiger, a loyal clubman and one of the great characters of our football club. His passion for the orange and black, his commitment to the Tigers and the friendships he built throughout his lifetime will never be forgotten.”
Footnote: ‘Dorby’ was a mate who helped me settle into life in the Manning district when I moved from Murwillumbah to play for Wingham Tigers in 1975. He attended my engagement party in Lismore that year, and he and I had a ‘Bucks Night’ at Coolangatta later in the year. The last time I saw him was after I attended the Group 3 Hall of Fame dinner in Wingham in 2015 when my uncle, Harry Smith, was inducted. I stayed with Brian and Carole Atherton in Taree and ‘Dorby’ and another former Wingham (and Murwillumbah Brothers) player Greg Grainger called in for morning tea the day after the Group 3 function.
I attended Greg’s funeral in Maitland last year but couldn’t make it to Dorby’s Wingham farewell because of family commitments in Queensland. Wingham is a great club that respects history and its old boys. I know Dorby got a good send-off.
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Brian Atherton, my dad’s mate. Used to see his brother Billy all the time back in Widnes.