Goroke celebration
Hundreds of former and current Goroke players, supporters and officials will help celebrate the town’s rich football history at a commemorative dinner on Saturday.
Border Districts’ home Kowree-naracoorte-tatiara Football League match against Lucindale will provide the backdrop for a ‘Back to Black and White’ celebration marking 20 years since Goroke merged with the Frances-based Eagles to form Border Districts.
Players will wear special commemorative jumpers, which will be auctioned after the game to raise money for the club.
Photos and memorabilia, including premiership medals and pennants from Goroke’s nine flags, will be on display at Goroke Town Hall following the game, and a commemorative dinner will be at 7pm.
Two historical Goroke ‘all star’ teams will be named on the night, one spanning the years 1947-70, and the other from ’71-98.
Organiser Grant Hausler said it was shaping up as a magnificent day and night.
“We’re looking at well over 200 people attending the dinner,” he said.
“It’s a great chance to celebrate what was a very successful club in its own right that won several premierships.
“Don Dixon coached the team and walked straight out of the Collingwood centre line
into the Goroke team, so there have been some good players over the years.”
Former player and coach Locksley Brook said Goroke’s merger had been a sad but necessary decision.
“The population deteriorated and we didn’t have enough players to put two teams on the ground,” he said.
“There was a bit of debate as to who to amalgamate with. We looked at Nhill, we looked at Natimuk and we looked at Edenhope, but no matter which way we went it was about a 40-minute drive.”
Former premiership player Allen Carter said plenty had changed since his playing days, but he still had fond memories of the club.
“I was 21 before I could get a game because there were that many people at the club,” he said.
“It was very social and friendly – every game I played I enjoyed.”
Tickets for Saturday’s dinner are $25 for adults and $10 for children.
People can call Darren Walter on 0429 961 236 or Grant Hausler on 0427 861 013 to RSVP or for more information.