Not for the on-field success, although witnessing his beloved green and golds win a couple of more Group 10 premierships would have been nice.

No, old Bernie, who was arguably the backbone of the club through a tough period during the 1990s, would have sat back with a grin and watched on as the tireless CYMS committee helped restore the club’s place at the top of Western Rugby League.

The off-field stuff was what Bernie knew best.

Bernie Thornhill died in 2008, a year before Mick Sullivan linked with the club as captain-coach.

But fittingly, the pair was inducted together as CYMS life members at a presentation at the Orange City Bowling Club on Sunday.

The Thornhill family - Bernie’s wife Leonie, sons Tim and Michael, daughter Kylie and great mate Steve Brakenridge – were all on deck to receive the life membership in his honour.

“We’re quite stoked that he has the honour and joins such a select group,” Michael said, the club now boasting 25 life members after the induction of Thornhill and Sullivan.

“Particularity with Mick being awarded as well. We’re as proud as punch. The CYMS club was like a our second family growing up, and still is today.”

Michael recalled a time during his Dad’s presidency at CYMS in 1992-93, when players who signed a contract were also required to complete two days of wood-carting.

“That was one of Dad’s biggest fundraisers. You’d get an axe or a chainsaw, head out the back of Cumnock and help out,” he added.

“Back in those times, the club was in dire straits. I only found out later, but guys like Dad and Brako and like-minded CYMS people saved the club, it was on verge of folding.

“But they said ‘no, we’re going to work through this’. Dad was fortunate to have a great bunch around him.

“It was awesome (on Sunday). All his grandkids were there and Mum was really chuffed.”

Having linked with Wingham for 2019, Sullivan returned to Orange for the presentation and became both the youngest CYMS life member in the club’s history and the first current player, given he led out the club’s premier league side in 2018, to be honoured. 

“It was a pretty special time,” Sullivan said.

“You hear some of the other stories about the other guys and it’s pretty humbling. It’s the first time I’ve been speechless. It’s such a history-rich club and although it’s a bit of a changing of the guard with the move to the Ophir, that history won’t be lost.”

CYMS president Dave Penny said the club voted unanimously at the annual general meeting to install both as life members.

“Bernie had been a CYMS stalwart since he was born, I guess. A few years back he and Steve Brakenridge kept the club afloat financially with things like chopping firewood and juggling things here and there,” Penny said.

“That got the club to where it is today - people with the club at heart helping out. Congratulations to both Mick and Bernie.”