Toasting success at Hallora
Catching up with old mates, sharing fond memories, telling a few tall tales and toasting premiership success were part of a recent Hallora/Strzelecki Football and Netball Club reunion.
The reunion, the second of its kind, attracted a large crowd of close to 150 people.
Although disbanded in 1987, the spirit of the club lived on as past players, officials and supporters recalled the football premierships of 1950, 1958, 1968, 1969 and 1971 in the Ellinbank and District Football Club.
Mr Bibby said a highlight of the day was a surprise presentation which nearly brought men to tears.
“We created a plaque to recognise the people from the Hallora/Strzelecki Footy Club who served in Vietnam during the Vietnam War,” said Mr Bibby.
“I can’t talk for them, but I suppose they would be really pleased to be recognised. A few were nearly brought to tears.”
The eight men who served in Vietnam and are listed on the plaque are Peter Cuthbertson, Rod McNab, Les Pascoe, Noel Price, Tom Sheedy, Kevin Stephens, Ron Thomas and Brian Thorpe.
The special plaque will now take “pride of place” in the clubrooms.
In addition, Mr Bibby said four players from the 1950 premiership side attended as well as players from subsequent premierships.
“A number of fellas from the original Strzelecki side were there,” he added.
Mr Bibby said it was wonderful to see the huge crowd, some of whom had made big efforts to attend.
Amongst those was Phillip Webb who has multiple sclerosis and uses a motorised wheelchair. However, the treat of catching up with old footy mates inspired him to catch trains and taxis from Melbourne.
It wasn’t just the men who enjoyed the day, with the women toasting “lots” of premierships as they dominated the competition.
Amongst these premierships was an incredible run of nine consecutive A grade flags from 1968 to 1976.
Strzelecki Football Club was formed in the 1920s with Hallora Football Club formed in the 1930s. The two clubs merged in 1953 and played in the Ellinbank and District Football Club until the club was disbanded in 1987.