Donnie Sellin, a cherished figure at Pittwater Rugby Park, has died at age 81, leaving the Warringah Rats Rugby Club deeply saddened by the loss of a dedicated supporter and friend, someone who has become part Rat Park for more than three decades.
Known affectionately as “Dollars,” Sellin dedicated himself to Warringah Rugby Club from the late 1960s when the club competed in Sydney’s Second Division through to 2002. He attended every Rats game from fourth grade through first grade at Pittwater Rugby Park on Pittwater Road, near Narrabeen Lakes and approximately 500 metres from North Narrabeen beach, both home and away.
The club described Sellin as a true Rat at heart, despite never lacing up football boots. His commitment to rugby at Rat Park earned him recognition when the Australian Rugby Union invited him to be official timekeeper for a Wallabies match in the late 1980s, a testament to his reputation for ruthless timekeeping and having no qualms about scolding referees if games ran over time or ended early.
Annual Return to Warriewood
Each year, as soon as cricket season wrapped up at Manly Oval where he also volunteered, Sellin would appear at Rat Park in Warriewood the following weekend, ready to resume his timekeeping duties. This annual rhythm defined his sporting life for decades, with the rugby community at Pittwater Road knowing they could count on his presence as the seasons changed.
Colleagues and friends remember Sellin for his willingness to share opinions about team performance and his passion for discussing the last Rats game. He particularly enjoyed recalling every minute of Warringah’s first grand final against Randwick, passionately arguing why the Rats should have won and how they could have performed better.
A Volunteer Who Became Family
Sellin worked for approximately 40 years at the Dee Why Post Office while devoting his free time to supporting rugby at Rat Park in Warriewood. His colourful personality and loyal support made him a popular figure among players, officials and supporters who gathered at the Pittwater Road ground each weekend during rugby season.
Although he was always happy to chat about how the Rats had performed and how they could improve for the next game, his presence meant more than just scorekeeping. He became an integral part of the Warriewood rugby community, with generations of players and supporters knowing him as a constant at Rat Park.
Community Farewell
Ill health in recent years prevented Sellin from joining his mates for beers at the Rats, forcing him to rely on phone calls to keep up with news from Rat Park. Despite stepping back from active involvement at Pittwater Rugby Park, he remained connected to the rugby community 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.
The Warringah Rats said Sellin was a friend to many and a proud supporter of the club, and that his legacy at Rat Park in Warriewood will endure long after his decades of dedicated service to rugby on the Northern Beaches.
Published 16-February-2026.
