'Just a burger please, Mrs Langer.'
You can hear it straight away at Norths Tigers on any weekend.
It might be a small voice or a big booming voice of a dad.
It’s doesn’t matter if you’re eight, 44 or if you played State of Origin or for Australia... it’s always 'Mrs Langer'.
Rita Langer may have raised her five children but she can also take credit for many Tigers cubs during the past 51 years of selfless service to her community as Ipswich's rugby league matriarch.
Langer was awarded the Ipswich Senior Citizen of the Year award for her 51 years’ service to Norths Tigers, Blair State School and Meals on Wheels in the City of Ipswich's Ipswich Australia Day Awards.
On humbly accepting her award, Langer spoke highly of the rugby league family which keeps her coming back.
“The award was a surprise. They didn’t tell me before the night, so I was shocked," Langer said.
"It was a high standard of Ipswich volunteers and I am proud to win.
“It keeps me alive, I love going to the football and they still like my burgers.”
A whole new generation of Blair State School students will learn all about a 'Mrs Langer burger' next week, when the 88-year-old gets stuck into duties at the school's tuckshop.
Kevin Langer, the 1988 winner of the Rothmans Medal, beamed at the news of his mum’s special community recognition.
“She’s a marvel... I don’t know how she does it to be honest,” he said.
“Mum won some money and wouldn’t you know it she is using it to go to Adelaide to see the Origin.
“She just loves footy.”
Rita's four sons all played for Norths Tigers and Ipswich Jets.
The youngest son Allan 'Alfie' Langer, FOG #50, made his rugby league fame on the back of his parents' sacrifices.
“Mum is exceptional to still be volunteering and cooking up burgers at 88,” the Brisbane Broncos, Queensland Origin and Kangaroos great said.
“None of the five of us would have achieved anything without her and there would be countless other children that would be pretty hungry if it wasn’t for mum.
“We are so proud of her and everything she’s done for Norths.
“She’s part of Ipswich Rugby League.”
If Rita Langer is the Queen of Ipswich rugby league, then the heir to her throne is Ali Brigginshaw.
The Broncos, Queensland and Australian captain was raised at Norths Tigers on a steady diet of Mrs Langer’s’ finest work.
“I always remember Mrs Langer at Norths... she’s the heartbeat of the place,” Brigginshaw said.
“A happy face to see you after your game and always up for a chat.
“What a great achievement to win an Australia Day award.”
If you stand at Norths and watch for a while you see Langer’s reward is in the tiny muddy-faced headgear with the hard-to-hear little voice saying 'Thanks Mrs Langer' as she hands over another 'Mrs Langer burger'.
It's proof of her true legacy when you hear parents say 'That’s Alf’s mum' and players reply: 'No that’s Mrs Langer... she makes the best burgers'.
