This coming weekend will mark six weeks since the country rugby league world lost one of its most dedicated and influential figures in Peter “Parra” Montgomery.

In six decades as a journalist, player, volunteer and administrator, Parra contributed an immense amount to the game in Hay, Albury, the broader Riverina and the whole state through roles at local and representative level.

In his later years, Parra spent his time contributing to Battlers For Bush Footy, a country rugby league website in its infancy at the time, backing its then 18-year-old editor Tallon Smith by providing both content and support to grow the website.

After taking some time to reflect on a way in which to honour “Parra”, Battlers For Bush Footy would like to announce that its top award, the Battler of the Year, will be renamed the ‘Peter “Parra” Montgomery Battler of the Year” beginning with this year’s award.

As a part of the renaming process, Battlers has commissioned a perpetual shield, the ‘Peter “Parra” Montgomery Shield’, to be awarded to each year’s recipient, featuring a permanent visual tribute to Mr Montgomery.

Battlers For Bush Footy founder and editor Tallon Smith said that the award was the best way he could think of honouring his late friend, mentor, and frequent website contributor.

“This shield is the best idea I could come up with in creating a permanent memorial to a legendary figure in country rugby league,” he said.

“The naming of the ‘Peter “Parra” Montgomery Battler of the Year’ is a tribute which honours a man who dedicated so much of his life to country rugby league.

“As the award given to the person with the single greatest voluntary contribution to a club or league over a season as selected by myself as editor of the platform, it made so much sense to name this award after a man who volunteered his time for the betterment of the game, year in, year out.”

Speaking on behalf of the family, Mr Montgomery’s daughter Sharni, said it was an honour to have the award named after her late father.

“It’s blown our minds in the best way to know that the two most passionate, knowledgeable and talented minds in country rugby league found each other in recent years in Parra and Tallon, it was very special to witness,” she said.

“For Tallon to now have a shield created in Dad’s honour is so meaningful to us as his family. 

“Dad would’ve been blown away by Tallon’s thoughtfulness.

“We’re so proud watching Tallon move forward in his career, Dad believed in him so much. 

“His talent, his skill, his footy brain and now, like Dad, his kindness and thoughtfulness.

“Thank you, Tallon, we’re really looking forward to seeing the recipients of this award!”

The five finalists for the 2025 Peter “Parra” Montgomery Battler of the Year will be announced tomorrow at 4pm AEDT.