Arthur ‘Choofa’ CHARTERIS received his Olinda Ferny Creek Football Club life membership in 1958. Since that time has continued to perform a variety of volunteer duties around the club. He is still the timekeeper for the senior team fifty two years after receiving his Life Membership and sixty two years after first playing at the club.
Arthur began playing in 1948 at the age of nineteen.
During that era, football in the hills and around the country had been on hold during the Second World War. Prior to that, Olinda had struggled to consistently field a team. A number of remedies were sought including one season (1939) where they merged with arch rivals Monbulk and played in the Ringwood District competition.
In 1948, young Choofa was eager to burn off the years of built up worry and tension bought on by the war. Slotting in to the Olinda senior football team was an opportunity to begin making his own mark in life under the guidance of some fairly rugged role models.
Soon after commencing his playing career, Choofa recognized that input off the field was just as important as on the field. He took on the role of Treasurer in 1960 and held that position for 10 years.
In post war decades, the football club was a focal point for social activity, with many big functions being held each season. Choof diligently accounted for every penny (literally) flowing through the club. His accuracy with numbers exceeded his accuracy at goal ( explaining why he spent his entire career in the back pocket ).
Anyone who has assumed the role of player and administrator knows how taxing it can be. Choofa’s reward for combining these roles was a Life Membership award in 1958. Keep an eye out for a special appearance of Choofa’s Life Membership photo in the clubrooms soon. Take note of the dapper blazer he is sporting in the photo. It seems to transform our young hills lad into a Hollywood like figure.
Choof only sustained one serious injury whilst playing, a ruptured cartilage which required surgery.
Interestingly, back then, the surgery and loss of income were covered by club insurance. Choof was tended to by one of Melbourne’s finest surgeons, Mr Alfred Keon-Cohen. He was also housed in the salubrious Coonara Private Hospital (on St Kilda road near Toorak road).
When he stopped playing in 1962 ( the young blokes were getting away too easily) Choofa decided that he needed to stay well away from the club. This was not because he had lost the passion. Choofa was worried that itchy feet might again have him tormenting resting rovers rather than spending time with his young family.
After a solid stint at fatherhood and thousands of kilometres driving his bus, Choof returned to the club in the early eighties. He offered his services wherever required, but it was as timekeeper that he found his niche. Commencing as ‘second in charge’ to another club legend (Barry HEATON), Choof became timekeeper for the firsts in 1986. Apart from a short hiatus in the mid nineties ( Choof lost his wife Joan, the true love of his life), he has maintained this role ever since.
Choofa CHARTERIS epitomizes everything that is great about grass roots sporting clubs. He is selfless and loyal member who has worked tirelessly not just for years, but for decades. Though he does not ask for anything in return for his efforts, the friendship of those around him and the respect of his peers ensures that Choofa gets as much from the club as we get from him. If you see Choof around, let him know you know who he is and what he has done. That’s what matters!
Last Modified on 19/07/2010 12:00