HISTORY OF THE CATS
Below are some excerpts from the beautifully compiled book -
'The Merger' by John T Rochford. I would like to thank John for his permission to display these paragraphs online and hope they interest you enough to purchase the hard copy of John's book.
Introduction
With the Golden Jubilee of the merger between the Neerim and Neerim South Football Clubs to be celebrated in 2004, I decided it was an appropriate time to write a short history on the life of the Club. Researching through the many old newspapers, scrapbooks and memorabilia, it quickly turned into an absorbing and rewarding experience as facts and details of the Club were slowly uncovered.
I believe that in a small country district, sport is of a great importance to the youth of today. Many new friends are created, as this is one of the places where they learn to interact and experience camaraderie with each other, and there is always much enjoyment when they reminisce about the past and discuss the present and the future.
While I have tried to give an accurate account of events, and the people who have played a part in developing the Club since it began, any errors or omissions that have occurred are entirely unintentional.
The First 50 Years
The first mention of the Neerim and Neerim South Football Clubs occurred in early newspapers of the district in 1905, where they were part of the Neerim South and District Football Association.
The Association comprised of the Jindivick, Neerim South, Neerim East and Neerim North teams. The Neerim Club was known as Neerim North in
those early days.
Neerim South and Neerim North appeared to be very keen rivals in the early days, with the folk around the District all turning up to create a picnic
atmosphere when these two sides were pitted against each other.
Would the kids be as keen these days to get to footy?
Over the years there has been many modes of transport to a football match. One such way was on the back of Percy Clarke’s cattle truck. After market on a Thursday, Percy would hose down the tray of his truck, put a tarp over the crate and pick up many players on a Saturday morning to take them to the game.
Two very dedicated mothers, one from Jindivick, the other from Neerim East with their EH Holdens were also called “people movers” in the latter part of the ‘60s. Together they would pile the majority of the U14 team in their cars to take them to matches. There were no seat belt laws in those days. There was great joy from the back seat drivers to see which EH Holden could get to the game first.
There was also a very dedicated father from Neerim East who owned an FJ ute and the author and others spent quite a few very cold Saturday mornings travelling to the game in the back of the ute. But we didn’t grumble, at least we got to the game in time to play.
Joining the EDFL
The 1954 season saw Darnum re-admitted to the League. An E.D.F.L. meeting, held in March of that year, was told that the Neerim Football Club and the partially revived Neerim South Football Club, had recently joined forces, and delegates sought formal admission as the ‘Neerim-Neerim South Football Club’.
Neerim delegate, Mr. Chas McGillivray, said it was hoped to field a stronger side and forecast that a coach would be engaged. Home ground for the two ‘Neerims’ would be Neerim South, and their colours would be blue and white hoops.
Setting the Standards
Neerim-Neerim South, the E.D.F.L.’s first triple premiers, celebrated their history-making season at the Neerim South Hall at the end of the season.
Striking tributes were paid to the Club, which owed much of its greatness, League Vice-President said, to the whole hearted support given by district residents.
The Neerim South Hall was packed for the celebration, which incorporated the E.D.F.L. awards as well. Neerim-Neerim South players and officials,
league representatives and members of other E.D.F.L. clubs, enjoyed an excellent dinner provided by South’s Ladies Committee. Proposing a toast to the premiers, Mr. Heenan said that Neerim-Neerim South could be proud of its achievement of three premierships in one season. Other teams in the future could repeat the feat, but Neerim-Neerim South alone, had the distinction of making history. Players could be proud of their performance, which would not have been possible without a great deal of efficient ‘behind the scenes’ activity by officials.
The Original Rigi Digi
‘THE CAT’ was introduced in 1977 as Neerim-Neerim South Football Club’s very own informative publication, produced each home game for the supporters, spectators and visitors. Some say it was conceived in a bottle of port and delivered with Caesar Salad by proud parents Harry Wood and Jan Algie in April of 1977. Originally the printing was moonlighted on a local school spirit duplicator, then progressed to an ink duplicator, but with time, better printing was needed. As the circulation grew and popularity increased, the printing was photocopied at the Community Education Centre in Warragul for some years. The Club in recent years purchased their own photocopier.
In only a matter of three years ‘THE CAT’ became so popular that the 500th copy was circulated. Some say it was due to the fact that the then
gatekeeper, Jimmy Halvy, would not let anyone in unless they bought a copy.
Over the years the publishers have overcome many CATastrophies, including not being able to get one edition printed. This proved to be a most
sought after edition and profitable at that, as people queued for hundreds of metre’s to take a turn for the usual 20c. at reading the only copy. It was
then Dutch Auctioned for $9.60, but it is probably worth double that now, as it has become a collector’s item!
Since the beginning of ‘THE CAT’ there have been many helpers and contributors over the past twenty-seven years. Editors in this time have been: Harry Wood, Dave Liebelt, Glenn Flowers, Garry Edney and John Ladds (our current Editor). Publishers have been: Jan Algie, Chris Cumming and Gaye Marshall whilst contributors have been Phillip Edney, Chris Milne, Neil & Di Olsson, Leanne Fusinato, Darren McDonald, Betty McCoy, Andrew Reid, Debbie Mitchell, Mick Whitford and Scott Metcalf.
To this day it continues to be a fine publication, improving in quality, quantity and content as the years have rolled by.
Fire Sets Back Club
An early morning fire destroyed the Neerim-Neerim South Football Club’s two storey Clubrooms on Wednesday, 23rd April 1992. Damage to the ten year old Clubrooms was estimated at more than $250,000.
The Club change rooms, showers, a sauna and the upstairs social rooms used by both the football and cricket clubs were destroyed. Unable to be
replaced items including trophies, team photos, football and cricket records and premiership flags including the historic Warragul Shire 1982 Centenary Premiership flag, were all destroyed. A large range of football training accessories, footballs, honour boards and expensive first aid equipment were also destroyed.
The Building Committee was working very hard to ensure the new building met its budget, but they felt they would need extra funds to fully equip the building with the necessary fittings. To help fund this, the Neerim-Neerim South Football Club had a ‘sell a brick’ fundraiser, and with each brick sold, a small plaque bearing the donors name would be displayed on the internal brick feature wall.
Back From The Ashes
With the new function area and clubrooms to be officially opened on 17th April 1993, there was much talk and consultation as to a name for ‘The Rooms’. The name ‘Phoenix’ was mentioned and, as there were no other options put forward, this name was decided upon.
In Arabian mythology, the Phoenix was a magical bird. There was only one and it never laid eggs or hatched chicks. At the end of its life it gathered twigs from sweet smelling trees and built a fire. When the fire was ready, it settled on it, the way normal birds sit on their nests. It flapped its wings until the twigs caught fire, and then sat still, singing a funeral dirge, until it and its nest were no more than a heap of ashes. The ash heap lay smoldering in the sun and the smoke gradually formed feathers, wings, claws, a body, beak and tail. A new ‘Phoenix’ had arisen from its own ashes.
Reflections From John Rochford
The Neerim-Neerim South Football Club can boast a proud history of achievements. Since the merger in 1954, the Club has won twenty-four premierships in the Senior, Reserve and Third grade teams, with many more runner up successes. The junior grades have also won three premierships with many more runner up titles to their name.
Like most Clubs in the E.D.F.L., Neerim-Neerim South has its loyal band of supporters such as the committee, coaches, team managers, gate keepers, line markers, trainers, timekeepers, canteen helpers, caterers, umpires, barmen, goal umpires, social committee and many others, all of whom donate their time and effort to the improvement of the Club and facilities.
The Club relies heavily on, and is grateful for, the tremendous support and financial assistance given by the local business community, for without this generous support the Club would not be where it is today. As a Club, it has also been an active contributor to the community infrastructure of the Neerim District and the development of our youth.
The old timers still reminisce about the days they played matches in three inches of snow, got changed behind a tree and had to wash in a bucket of water after the game. Things have certainly changed at Neerim South since those days, but I am sure things will change again in the next fifty years.
