Congratulations are extended to the three Football Netball Clubs, Mansfield, Tatura and Rochester on their outstanding presentation of the GOTAFE GVFL Qualifying, Elimination Final 2 and Elimination Final 1 respectively. My personal thanks to Board Chairman Trevor POLLARD for his efficiency, as always in conducting the affairs at Mansfield and to Mansfield GVFL Delegate Mike MORRISON for his efficiency in keeping everybody up to date with progressive scoring on the GVFL Website.
I was fortunate to have the help of GVFL Deputy Chairman Freddo McMAHON at Tatura on the Saturday and again at Rochester on Sunday. Thank you to Cameron PRATT (Tatura) and Bruce WATSON (Rochester) for their assistance computer wise. Rochester Secretary Bruce WATSON opted to sit at the computer for the whole of the senior game, conducting live scoring and entering goal kickers as the game progressed, probably during the second quarter he may off had thoughts of giving it away when Tatura unleashed a powerful burst of nine goals resulting in the Rochester Tigers being in severe bother. I felt sorry for Bruce after the game considering he had to sit there at the computer and endure the Rochester loss.
Must mention the gate attendants, often overlooked, on duty from 8.00 am until half time in the senior game, while all gate attendants are efficient in my time as General Manager of the Goulburn Valley Football League without wishing to detract from their expected efficiency it would be remiss of me not to mention the excellent manner in which the gate takings were collected by Freddo McMAHON from the members of the Rochester Fire Brigade who did the job at Rochester. Well done, all notes and small change counted and bundled up to perfection.
A LEDGENT DEPARTS
Maybe the passing of a legend last week dosn’t mean much to current GVFL fans but to myself and my family it bought back many memories when former Undera Identity Ron OUGH passed away last week at the age of 88 years. The brother of Dick OUGH, whose son Barry the GVFL Morrison Medalist passed away just recently, Dick who was a giant of a man who passed away at a very young age in 1956. Together Ron and Dick formed an almost frightening combination to opposition teams in the late 40’s and early 50’s.
My families close association with the OUGH family came into being in rather unusual circumstances in early 1950 having relocated from Cobden in South Western Victoria in late 1949 to a farm at Undera. My father Lloyd instructed myself and my two brother’s Ray and Rex to be at the front gate of our farm to be picked up by this unknown gentleman, at the time to us who would convey us to the Undera Football Club Annual Meeting. Imagine our surprise when we were picked up in a horse and gig, the driver of course being Ron OUGH. I remember that annual meeting well, with the then President Mr Bernie NICHOLSON extending a warm welcome to the three WELLMAN boy’s and commenting that they were very young and may play a part in Undera’s future, little did he know on that night that the our father Lloyd not long retired from playing full back for Cobden in the very strong Hampden League would become a regular together with Ray and myself, playing in finals together at Deakin Reserve, beaten on two occasions in first semi finals by Tallygaroopna.
However more about Ron. He was a shearer, farmer, proprietor of the Undera Hotel and a keen Harness Racing fan, having success with a number of horses. For the past couple of Years he has been confined to his lodgings at Mooroopna.
My reason for this article is to recognize the profound affect Ron OUGH and his brother Dick had on our lives as youngsters. If you reckon football is tough these days, cast your minds back to the era when players played on grounds which received no watering and changed in archive buildings and were umpired by umpires who received little tuition.
Memories my come to mind of those that a still with us of the 1955 grand final between Undera and Lancaster.
VALE Margaret DAVY
Sincere condolences are conveyed to long standing GVFL Independent Tribunal Member and past Kyabram Football Netball Club Secretary John DAVY by all members of the Goulburn Valley Football on the sudden passing on of his wife Margaret. The support she gave to John and many others will remain in our hearts. We must all continue to support John.
Last Modified on 28/03/2015 19:36
