Winds of change again swept through the club over the summer.
The publican of the Avoca Hotel, Keith McDonald became President.
McDonald a former handy player, was determined to lift the club.
Backed by an energetic committee, McDonald went out to recruit Max Martin as Coach. (Pictured)
Martin, a Physical Education Teacher at Maryborough, had an unenviable job.
His mission was to boost morale and restore the club’s respect. On reflection, Max martin’s influence was remarkable. With a calm, sincere manner, he moulded the players together as a tightly-knot team and taught them how to believe in themselves.
His lessons in positive thinking were a unique experience for most of the older players and left a life time impression on the club’s youth.
Avoca also benefited by the demise of Amphitheatre.
Players picked up from the disbanded club included, Cecil Tardrew, who had developed a reputation as one of the leagues best full back’s and Jack Jacobs who was a clever and gutsy forward.
The Team list included: Brian & Ken Beavis, Noel Barnes, Bob Crooks, Kelvin Charlesworth, Ian Drummond, Col Evans, Bob Eastman, K Edwards, Bruce Field, John Field, Ron Field, Bill Gollop, Alf Hunter, Norm Harrison, Neil Hamer, Terry Harris, Jon Howell, Geoff Jolly, Maurice Jolly, John Jolly, Doug & Ray Joseph, Jack Jacobs, Barry Morris, Max Martin, Graeme Pora, Max Robertson, Peter Raynor, Cecil Tardrew, Nev Tardrew, Harold Trainor, Les Ward, Len Williams and Bill Wardlaw.
The Reserves Competition was also formed in 1960 and Bill Gollop was Avoca’s first coach.
The players included:
Graeme and Ray Astbury, T Barker, Brian Beavis, Ken Beavis, Charlie Brown, Jack Brereton, Ricky Carter, Phil Cocking, Michael Church, Graeme Field, Damian Field, John Field, Paul Gothard, Ian Harvey, Norm Harrison, Neil Hamer, Jon Howell, Laurie Impey, Graeme Joseph, William Johnson, Keith Morris, Michael Wilson and Frank Youren.
Although the seniors just missed a berth in the finals, the reserves stormed into calculations.
Match details are not available, but Avoca defeated Lexton in the Fist semi final and then lost to Navarre by three points in a thrilling Preliminary final.
Graeme “Tiger” Pora came third in the Lexton League Reserves Best & Fairest.
John Field, the reserves captain, won the club best player award from Doug Joseph. Both players won a trip to the VFL Grand Final, donated by MCC President and local resident, Hans Ebeling.
Max Martin was voted the Senior Best & Fairest.
Other award winners were:
Barry Morris (Most Consistent), Ron Field (Best Under 20), Tony Jolly (Most Determined), Terry Harris and Max Robertson (Coach’s Trophies), and Brian Beavis (Best Clubman).
go to 1961
