HISTORY OF FOOTBALL IN MOUNT GAMBIER AND DISTRICTS
WEST GAMBIER FOOTBALL CLUB.
Notes of Barry Ward
1867-1925
Australian Rules Football began in Melbourne in 1858 and reached Mount Gambier nine years later when the first game was played on 17 August 1867. Games were played over the whole afternoon with only goals being scored, no behinds.The behind posts were added in the 1870’s, although points scored did not count.Strange results were not unknown, e.g. in one game a Team with 1 goal 1 behind defeated the opposition with O goals 12 behinds! Behinds became part of the score in 1897.
Matches were not played on ovals but on various paddocks around the town.A mid-afternoon break was taken where the players had rest and refreshments.
Football was played in all South Eastern Towns, each with their own Association, with the intertown game played in 1870 between Mount Gambier and Penola.
The first MT. GAMBIER ASSOCIATION was formed in 1894 with football now being played at Frew Park, Vansittart Park and the Showgrounds which were then in Margaret Street. This association gradually fell away and in 1919 was reformed with the teams known as Rovers: Wanderers: Alberts: and Warriors.This association continued until 1925.
1926-1930
A combination of Naracoorte, Penola, North Gambier, South Gambier and Millicent (in 1927) saw the formation of the SOUTH EAST FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION. North and South Gambier together with Glencoe and Kalangadoo formed a B GRADE Association.
This was the era of the “Great Depression” and money was so short that one football had to be used in up to four games and many footballers played in bare feet.Admission was 1s2d. (one shilling and twopence), and a trip to Naracoorte could take up to three hours.
1931-1938
Two Minor Associations were formed to compete with the South East Football Association, to allow farmers time after the game to get home and milk their cows. The Associations were:
THE BLUE LAKE ASSOCATION:- This comprised of the Mount Gambier Teams Claraville, Rosaville and Gambier East, with country sides Yahl, Moorak and the Sea Rovers from Port MacDonnell.
THE NORTH GAMBIER ASSOCIATION:- This comprised of teams from Compton, Wandilo, Suttontown and Glenburnie.
The South East Football Association gradually declined with North and South Gambier losing their B Grade Teams, and Naracoorte withdrawing in 1934.
The South East Football Association and the Blue Lake Association disbanded in 1938 to form the Mid South East Football Association.This association was comprised of West, South and East Gambier, Centrals, Rovers, Glencoe, Tantanoola, Penola and Kalangadoo.
1938-39
West Gambier was formed in 1938 from the old Blue Lake Association Team ROSAVILLE, playing at Vansittart Park.Mount Gambier was zoned into the areas of South, East and West. West played for only two years in this Association as the League was disbanded in 1939 for the duration of World War II.
1940-1945
War time Association
Football was still played on a limited basis with combined local sides and Service Teams.
1946-1963
SOUTH EAST AND BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE
After World War II, West Gambier was again reformed.Club colours were Green, with a frontal Gold “W”. Teams from the pre war Associations formed the basis of the new League.
The first teams were North, South, East and West Gambier, Penola, Millicent, Winmoor, Dartmoor, Port MacDonnell and Kongorong.The league finally settled down with the six teams of North, South, East and West Gambier, Penola and Millicent.
West Gambier became known as the Kangaroos.The name was reputed to have been conceived by former President Jack Shepherdson.Club colours remained Green and Gold but the Gold “W” was replaced with a Gold sash. These colours remained until 1957 when the official colours were changed to Navy Blue Guernsey with Red Socks.
The Club gambled on spending what was considered a large sum of money, to import players into the team from Adelaide.This was the first of the paid players within the league. The gamble paid off with three consecutive A grade premierships in 1957, 1958 & 1959.
Clubrooms were under the grandstand at Vansittart Park, firstly at the Southern End and later at the Northern End when the City Band relocated to their purpose built hall in Pick Avenue.North Gambier also had their rooms under the grandstand and the oval was a shared facility. Because of the size of these clubrooms other premises had to be used for fundraising dances, annual windup etc.
During 1963 discussions were held with the view of an amalgamation between the S.E. & Border League and the Victorian Western District Football League. Both Leagues were stagnated with 6 teams each and a much stronger competition was envisaged.The amalgamation came to be in 1964.
SE & BORDER LEAGUE successes were:
PREMIERSHIPS:
A GRADE B GRADE
1957 1956
1958
1959
MAIL MEDAL WINNERS:
1949 F. Leahy (joint winner)
1952 Ern Stanke
SECONDS MEDALS WINNERS:
1956 David R. Thompson
1958 John Smith
1960 Ron Harrap
1963 Jack Tannian
COLTS
A Colts League was formed in 1951 from the schools in the area. The Competition varied in age groups over the years from U18: U14: to U15: and U13: Under pressure from the Colts League, Clubs formed their own colts teams in 1958.
1964-1966
WESTERN BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE.
The amalgamation of the SE & Border Football League and the Western District Football League in 1964 saw the formation of the Western Border Football League.
The new League had a Firsts and Seconds competition only, with the addition of a Thirds (Under 18) competition in 1974.Colts were still played in separate Leagues on both sides of the Border.
The foundation Clubs in the new League from South Australia – North, South, East and West Gambier, Millicent and Penola: and from Victoria – Casterton, Hamilton, Portland, Coleraine, Hamilton Imperials and Heywood.Both Leagues from which the Western Border Football League was formed were formally disbanded.The Western Border League has advanced to become one of the most powerful country football leagues.
The League was zoned for the VFL and SANFL in the mid 1970’s to Collingwood and South Adelaide.
It was anticipated that the South Australian Teams would struggle in the early days of the Western Border league, and in the main this was true with West having the poorest record of any SA Club, finishing bottom in 1964, 1965 & 1966.
In 1965 the Club adopted the Norwood Colours and a new style Guernsey of Navy Blue with Red Yoke and Red socks.
1967-1972
West gradually began its move up the ladder during these years with a stable experienced team which knew defeat, and were eager for success: together with some extremely capable imports.In 1970 the Club compete in the finals for the first time in the League but were defeated by South in the first final.
In 1971 West appointed the League’s first non-playing coach, in former Port Adelaide and State Ruckman Peter Marrett who coached the Club from fourth position to their first WBFL premiership, by defeating East Gambier by 19 points at Coleraine.
There was, even in those days a strong bond between players of the West Gambier Football Club and West Gambier Cricket Club, and together they became the first Club in Mount Gambier to win both football and Cricket pennants in the same season.
In 1972 West again made the finals, but was defeated by Heywood by a solitary point in the first final.
1973 - This was the last season West was to play at Vansittart Park as its home ground. The Tom Hall Trophy was made available for competition between the co-tenants of Vansittart Park West and North.It is still competed for today.
The West Club, with foresight began a Building Fund with 10% of all moneys raised within the Club going into this Fund.The aim was to build itw own Clubrooms on the North West Corner of Vansittart Park.
March 1973 - West went before the ratepayers of Mount Gambier seeking their permission to build on Vansittart park. The meeting was preceded by a large amount of publicity and public debate.After a controversial meeting the issue was defeated by 2 votes and permission was not granted.
July 1973:-
The Club pursued its vision and examined alternative sites.After several meetings, the Club gained approval to purchase 27 acres of land, adjacent to the Old Cattle Sale yards on White Avenue, from Mr. J.P.R. (Rupert) Malseed.
A debenture scheme for $80,000 was launched at $20 per debenture. The amount was successfully raised with good supports from supporters of the scheme.A further $40,000 was raised by way of a Bank loan.The total development cost of the Complex was $230,000.
The main oval was somewhat controversial with its raised centre like that used at Football Park, Waverley Victoria.
Work progressed steadily with many hours contributed voluntarily by the members, new committees raised for the project and many Working Bees.To the many members who contributed so much, the only reward was to see the successful completion of the project.
Development was to take place in two stages:
Stage 1 - Clubrooms, main and second oval. This stage was completed in August 1974.
Stage 3 - Development of other facilities such as Cricket, Tennis and Bowling Greens.
1974
August 31st: The first football was played on MALSEED PARK against old rivals NORTH.
September 1st.
The MALSEED PARK complex was officially opened by Deputy Premier the Honorable J.D. (Des) Corcoran. President of West Gambier was Mr. G.J. (Gerald) Sheehan, and the Western Border League President was Mr. R. (Bob) Templeton.
The Club appointed its first full time Secretary/Manager Mr. Kerry O’Donnell.
The only football success was with the Colts which won all three Junior Flags in U 16’s, Under 14’s and Under 12’s.The seconds made the finals for the first time in the Western Border Football League and after drawing the Elimination Final they were unfortunately beaten in the replay.
1975
The West Cricket Club moved from Frew Park to Malseed Park, building practise pitches and laying a concrete pitch on the second oval. (Cricket was played on the main oval in 1976 using the controversial matting on turf wicket).
The Centrals Baseball Club joined the complex and night baseball was played on the main oval. (Night baseball was played until 1977 when the Blue Lake Sports Park became the home of Baseball).
The seconds football team again drew the elimination final and lost the replay.
1976
Club colours were changed to those of the Melbourne Football Club. ie Red and Royal Blue. The reason for the change was because of economics, in that by using the Victorian Club’s colours the cost of Guernseys would be reduced. The WBFL permitted coloured shorts and West adopted Crimson Red.
The Reserves unfortunately lost the Preliminary Final by 1 point, whilst the Thirds won their FIRST WBFL Premiership.
1977
The West Gambier Tennis Club was formed from football club members, with many members obtaining clearance from their “old” Town Clubs. Four hard courts were laid, with a further two opening in 1981-82
1978
All Senior Teams make the finals but none get through to the Grand Final.
1979
History is made by both the Seniors and Reserves contesting the Grand Final. The Seniors lost to North while the Reserves defeat Portland to win their first WBFL Premiership.
1980-81
The 1979 season financially drained the Club and with too many players lost to other Clubs West finish bottom in 1981.
Throughout the league a general tightening of spending occurs and emphasis is played on developing local players.
The Blue Lake Soccer Clubs joined the complex and developed a pitch in the North East corner.
A constitutional change is made in the Football Club to allow more flexible management of the complex. A board of Management is formed to replace the old General Committee, with John Fallas being elected as the first President of the Board.
2000 - 2010
After reaching the finals in season 1998 under the coaching of Robin White, the club's on field fortunes took a battering consistently finishing in the bottom half of the competition. This continued for a number of years with the club unable to attract local recruits to bolster playing stocks. The committee decided to recruit from outside the area in an effort to turn around the on-field performances.
The result of this recruiting brought the club into a more successful couple of seasons, culminating in a finals appearance in 2006, however were defeated in the elimination final finishing fifth. The recruiting of these players also drained the club financially and in season 2007 the player stocks was again decimated and a youth policy was adopted, with the promotion of the clubs more promising juniors.
Seasons 2007 to 2009 saw few victories to the young side however the junior players gained experience, young recruits were gained and a few of the club's outstanding juniors returned to the area after stints at SANFL clubs. The club finished 9th in 2009.
Season 2010 saw Keith 'Hooker' Ransom as coach and a number of recruits join the club and former juniors who had returned from stints in the SANFL. During the season the team remained in the top 3 spots before dropping to 5th late in the season, but managed to finish in 3rd spot entering the finals. From there the young side won their first 2 finals and earned a berth in the Grand Final, the first since 1979. Entering in to the GF the side had an average age of 21.5years, with 7 teenagers from 16-19yo and the oldest player at 28yo. The West Gambier side skipped out to a 6 goal lead at half time before hanging on for a 3 point victory, and the club's second WBFL Seniors premiership.
Back-to-Back premierships for West Gambier in Season 2011, only the 4th team to achieve this in the Western Border league. An even more consistent year than the previous, West remained firmly entrenched in the top 3 all season and finished as the minor premiers on top of the ladder. A win against Portland in the 2nd Semi saw West eventually pitted against arch-rival North Gambier in the Grand Final. West had much younger legs than an ageing North outfit and eventually cruised to emphatic victory, winning by 54 points to secure the trophy for a second consecutive year.
WESTERN BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE PREMIERSHIPS
Seniors Reserves Under 18 Under 17
1971 1979 1976 2017
2010
2011
WESTERN BORDER FOOTBALL LEAGUE MEDAL WINNERS
Seniors Reserves Under Age
1974 – Kevin Douglas 1979 – Barry Ward 1982 – Andrew Hunter (U18)
1981 – John Beaton 1983 – Dennis Mansell 1983 – Peter Duncan (U18)
1988 – Andrew Close 2004 – Paul Beckman 2016 - Jackson Lock (U17)
2013 - Brad Wilson 2018 - Thomas Nieuwerkerk (U17)
2018 - Ba Na Say (U15)