Donnie Sellin, a cherished figure across northern beaches sport for more than five decades, has passed away at age 81, leaving the Manly Warringah District Cricket Club at Manly Oval and Warringah Rats Rugby Club deeply saddened by the loss of one of their most dedicated volunteers.
Known affectionately as “Dollars,” Sellin dedicated his life to two of the region’s biggest sporting organizations while working for approximately 40 years at the Dee Why Post Office. His passion, loyalty and colourful personality made him an institution at Manly Oval on the corner of Sydney Road and Belgrave Street, the recreational showpiece of the northern beaches.
The cricket club hailed “Dollars” as an immense part of their community for more than five decades. A Life Member who touched the lives of countless players, he was a permanent fixture as net captain and a mainstay in the scorer’s box, not just for third and fifth grade, but across every level of the pathway over the years. His presence at Manly Oval, the recreational showpiece of the Northern Beaches, was as much a part of the landscape as the Norfolk Pines themselves.
From Manly Oval to Rat Park
Sellin’s sporting dedication extended beyond cricket to Warringah Rats Rugby Club, where he served as official timekeeper and scorer from the late 1960s through to 2002. Each year, as soon as cricket season wrapped up at Manly Oval, Sellin would appear at Pittwater Rugby Park in Warriewood the following weekend, ready to resume his timekeeping duties.
He attended every Rats game from fourth grade through first grade, both home ad away, becoming part of the fabric of the club despite never lacing up football boots. His commitment to rugby earned him recognition when the Australian Rugby Union invited him to be official timekeeper for a Wallabies match in the late 1980s
A Life Dedicated to Northern Beaches Sport
Sellin worked for approximately 40 years at the Dee Why Post Office while devoting his free time to supporting sport across the northern beaches. His passion, loyalty and colourful personality made him a popular figure among players, officials and supporters at both Manly Oval and Rat Park.
Colleagues and friends remember Sellin for his banter and willingness to share frank opinions about team performance. He particularly enjoyed recalling every minute of Warringah’s first grand final against Randwick, passionately arguing why the Rats should have won.
Community Farewell
Ill health in recent years prevented Sellin from joining his mates for beers at either club, forcing him to rely on phone calls to keep up with news from Manly Oval and Rat Park. Despite stepping back from active involvement, he remained connected to the sporting communities he had served for so long.
A celebration of Donnie Sellin’s life will be held at Manly Bowling Club, overlooking his beloved Manly Oval, on Friday, February 27, from 4pm. A formal RSVP is not required, with both sporting communities expected to gather in tribute to a man who exemplified volunteer spirit and dedication to northern beaches sport.
Published 16-February-2026.
