But after 18 years of commitment to Griffith rugby league, one referee’s whistle will go quiet.

Perhaps the most committed and respected referee in Group 20, Col Patterson is leaving Griffith, the town he has dedicated himself to since he moved here in 1991.

Patterson’s devotion to sport, and to fairness in the game, has seen him referee 12 consecutive Group 20 grand finals, as well as most of the NRL pre-season games played in Griffith.

Group 20 president Terry Brady said he would be sad to see Patterson go.

“He gave great service to the Group 20 referees over the past 20 years,” Brady said.

“He’s been involved right from the word go, and he’s been great to work with.”

But Patterson wasn’t new to refereeing when he moved to Griffith, having done it since he was a teenager.

“Realistically I’ve been refereeing since I’ve been about 14 or 15,” he said.

The number of grand finals refereed by Patterson was testament to how well respected he was, according to Brady.

“We’d like to wish Col all the best in moving away to Canberra,” he said.

“I’d like to thank him for his contribution to Group 20 and the referees’ association.”

Patterson’s commitment to sport in Griffith extended past rugby league, also being heavily involved in touch football. He will leave the St George Griffith branch to take up a role as manager of a branch in Canberra.