Spirit of the Seagulls

Sandy Bay pays tribute to the great women behind the club

THE Sandy Bay Football Club may no longer be with us, but that hasn’t stopped old Seagulls recognising the unsung heroes of the blue and white — women.

And there is no one who deserves the recognition more than Margot Scales.

Scales, the daughter of long-time Sandy Bay president Ken Austin, grew up around the club and went on to become a board member, doing just about every job for her beloved Seagulls.

Now, the Sandy Bay and South East Past Players, Officials and Supporters Association will pay tribute to the Seagull women and mark the 40th anniversary of the 1978 premiership — Sandy Bay’s last — with a cocktail party on August 3.

“There is that old saying behind every great man is a strong woman, and I think behind every club and every sport from way back up until now, there is a merry little band of women who run it,” Scales said.

“Now women are being recognised with female presidents and board members, which is great as for so long they were the toilers and workers.”

Any celebration revives wonderful memories, but is also tinged with sadness because of the club’s demise in 1997.

“It was a body blow, but we were lucky we had the past players, led by [former player] Kerry Doran,” she said.

“We had 600-plus members, and now we’ve got Nick Probert in charge who is a real mover and shaker.

“The fact the past players and officials became so active and had so many members was a reflection on the club.”

Richmond premiership player Paul Sproule coached that 1978 side to glory and having won flags with then VFL Tigers, Hobart and Sandy Bay, said there was a common link post-match.

“You go up to the other players and you’ve just got this funny smile,” Sproule said.

“I went over for a Richmond reunion and we all do the same still now.

“It is that special moment you suddenly light up.

“It is really something you can’t really talk about much because it is unique to the group. It is the same with this group, same when I see the Hobart group from my youn- ger days and when I go back to Richmond.

“I played in the ’68 Grand Final with Essendon and we don’t have that because we didn’t bloody win, even though we only lost by three points.

“It is something special about being successful in the best competition you can be.”

The cocktail party will be held on Friday, August 3 at the Derwent Sailing Squadron.

For bookings and more information, call Ken McNamara on 0434 471 647.