The Goulburn Valley Football League Chairman Ian McDONALD brings an incredible amount of sports administration to our League and other sporting bodies in our area. Ian was born in the Mallee region of Victoria and has been involved in sports administration since he was a raw 17 year old when he was appointed Secretary of the Red Cliffs Basketball Association. Some 40 years later Macca still has a say in basketball as a member of the Basketball Shepparton Tribunal panel. Since his debut as a 17 year old Ian has been constantly involved with footy, basketball, Little Athletics, Greyhounds and Harness Racing. In fact Macca has realised that he has been involved in the administration of these sports non-stop without a break since he got his first taste. Ian is now the current C.E.O. of the Shepparton Harness Racing Club and formerly held the position as C.E.O. of Country Greyhounds Victoria. Macca admits that Harness Racing is his passion but loves all sports. Most footy people will well remember Ian when he was President of the Shepparton Football Club in bringing the Maroons up to be Premiers in 1993 and 1994 after the club was virtually on its knees a year or two earlier. With Macca and some other great Shepparton stalwarts the Shepparton Football Club is now once again a very proud member of the GVFL.
Ian actually places the flags of '93 & '94 to be very high in his sporting achievements and right up their with his greatest sporting satisfaction. Ian lists Michael VOSS as his best A.F.L. player and within the GVFL he lists Steven ASh, Robbie MILLER and Brad CAMPBELL as he best he has seen. Macca states he grew up barracking for the old South Melbourne for no particular reason so now calls the Sydney Swans his A.F.L. club. Macca lists Tiger WOODS is his most admired Sports Person. For relaxation Ian enjoys a parmy with chips, Country Music, Billy CONNOLLY and the tv show "Two and a Half Men."
Ian lists his ambition to ensure the long term viability of all clubs in the G.V.F.L.
If we can keep Macca involved in our League, we can be confident that our twelve clubs will be viable and that our League will continue to be right up at the top in Country Footy. Well Done Macca, keep up the good work!
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Fair Dinkum, go and get a drink before you commence reading Fitzy's C.V. O.K, you ready? Fitzy is a Big Man with a Big Heart and has a Big Profile. Ian FITZ is very much like our Chairman Ian MAC in that Fitzy too has been involved in the adminstration side of sports since a very young age. With Fitzy, age 9 in fact. 9 years of age when appointed Assistant Secretary of the Shepparton Youth Club Cricket Club way back in the year of the Melbourne Olympics of 1956. 53 years ago. And did you know that Fitzy played junior footy with the City United club with his trade teacher Greg REINERTS and with Maxie OSBORN who just happens to be the father of our official GVFL photographer Gary OSBORN? Fitzy played with the Demon juniors then swang over to the Shepparton footy club where he has given the Maroons a life time of service.
OK, here we go :- Volunteer experience :- continual since 1956. Shepparton Cricket Association :- Life Member, Grade Secretary, Selector, Vice President Senior & Junior, Association Duties, Tribunal, Assistant Manager to Melbourne and Bendigo Country Week * Goulburn Murray Under 21 games for Victoria Country, Selector for Goulburn Murray Cricket, Assistant Manager with Victorian Country Cricket Association Under 21 team to Tasmania in 1978. Scorer for games against England, West Indies, Pakistan and Queensland. Resigned from active cricket duties when bought the recycling business in 1981. Shepparton Youth Club - 1956 to 1981 - Life Member, general Committee and Cricket Club president, Vice President, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Scorer & Sponsor. Shepparton Ten Pin Bowling Association - approx 10 years from 1965 to 1975 when Secretary for 3 years, won the Championships in Morwell in 1968. Shepparton Golf Bowling Club - commenced in 1995 and still going, was president for 2 years, Chairman of Selectors and a Selector for the last 5 years, won the GVBA Pairs in Div 2 in 2004 - Team Manager and Club Champion Donor. Shepparton Football Club - 1970 - 1992 / 1995-1999 - Life Member, Trainer (488 consecutive games for Seniors & Reserves), Vice President, Secretary & Assistant Secretary, Statistician, Delegate to the GVFL, Donor of the "Battle of Deakin" trophy, returned in the late 90's to help the club. Shepparton United Football Club - 1993 & 1994 with Roland CROSBY as the Statistician. G.V.F.L. - Life Member, been part of the Interleague footy since 1972 as a Trainer, Statistician and Team Manager. Elected to the Board of Management in 1999, Deputy Chairman in 2000 and again this year 2009. Chairman of the GVFL 2002-2007. Offcial GVFL previewer with the Week-Ender since 1989. League Sponsor, co-ordinator of the GVFL Champion Team over the last 60 years. V.C.F.L. - Statistician for the VCFL sides at the Australian Country Championships at Geraldton, Cairns and Bendigo. Part of the GVFL Interleague Champions sides of 1978, 1984, 1994 and Team Manager in 2008. Football Awards - TXU Victorian Football League Community Member Award in 2001 - ABC Football, GVFL Achievement Award, 2008 VCFL Volunteer Award.
Best Present Day Player :- Jonathon BROWN
Best GVFL players :- Ron PAEZ, Bill SYKES, Des CAMPBELL
Football Ambition :- There's always a challenge in country football and while I am able I hope to help out.
Football's Greatest Satisfaction :- Being part of Daryl TWITT's committee to save the Shepparton Football Club.
A.F.L. team :- Richmond.
Well Done Fitzy, you've got a sporting history to be very proud of.
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Alana hails from the small country town of
Alana then went onto study a Diploma of Sports Development at GO Tafe in 2006 and worked for Kelly Sports as a Sports coach in schools and also worked two days a week for the GVFL
In 2007 Alana continued working for Kelly Sports and worked at Sportsman’s Warehouse as the Footwear Manager.
In 2008 Alana took on the full time position as the Administration Officer of the Goulburn Valley Football League.
Alana is extremely passionate about sport and first started to compete in athletics at the age of 5 years for Nathalia Little Athletes, before competing for
Making her international debute in 2005 at the Arafura Games in Darwin Alana won 2 Bronze medals for Shot put & Discus & was crowned the 2005 Arafura games open women’s Hammer throw champion taking out the Gold Medal in a personal best performance.
Alana was presented with a once in a life time opportunity when in 2006 prior to the Melbourne Commonwealth Games she was invited to compete at the Athletics Australia Invitational Meet on the MCG were she competed in Hammer Throw and finished 13th in the event which was also contested by Brooke Cruger who then went onto win the Commonwealth Games Gold medal for Hammer Throw.
Alana’s latest and most notable achievements were representing Victoria this year at this year’s Queensland Championships’ were she won a Bronze for the Open Women’s hammer throw & Silver for the U23 hammer throw. Her performances there saw her selected for the Victorian Team to compete at the Australian u20 & u23 Championships in Adelaide were she won the Bronze medal in the U23 Hammer Event, which now see’s Alana ranked as the 3rd best u23 Hammer thrower in Australia
Alana has been a very active member of her community by coaching a number of athletes in Athletics at both the Shepparton Little Athletics and Barooga Little Athletics Clubs, as well as being a Junior and Senior Show Ambassador and serving on the Numurkah Agricultural Show Society Committee, officiating at primary school sports carnivals, helping out at the Numurkah Senior Citzs and conducting Kelly Sports clinics in a number of local primary schools. Alana has also been involved in the Waaia Football/Netball Club & Waaia Tennis Clubs as an active member.
Awards
· 2008 Victorian Agricultural Society Rural Ambassador State Finalist
· 2008 City of Greater Shepparton Individual Sports Person of the Year
· 2008 Barooga Sports Club/ Cobram Courier Senior Sports Star of the Year
· 2008
· 2007 Numurkah Agricultural Show Society- Rural Ambassador
· 2007 Victorian Agricultural Show Society -Junior Show Ambassador Finalist
· 2007
· 2007 Numurkah and District
· 2006 Numurkah and District
· 2006 Moira Shire
· 2006 Cobram Agricultural Show Society- Junior Show Ambassador
· 2006 Goulburn Valley Riverina Shows Association –Junior Show Ambassador Runner up
· 2006 City of Greater Shepparton Sports Awards- Certificate of Excellence
· 2006 Cobram Courier & Barooga Sports Club- Senior Sports Star of the Month- January
· 2006 Cobram Courier & Barooga Sports Club- Senior Sports Star of the Month-February
· 2005 Numurkah Agricultural Show Society- Junior Show Ambassador
· 2005 Cobram Courier & Barooga Sports Club- Senior Sports Star of the Year
· 2005 Cobram Courier & Barooga Sports Club- Senior Sports Star of the Month- May
· 2005 Goulburn Valley Riverina Shows Association –Junior Show Ambassador Runner up
· 2004 Numurkah Agricultural Show Society- Junior Show Ambassador
Best Present Day AFL Player: Colin Sylvia, Ben Cousins & Jimmy Bartel
Best GV Player: Paul Scanlon
Football Ambition: To work in the AFL as a players Manager or Club Administrator or Sports Scientist
Greatest Football Satisfaction: Being Part of the GVFL when we won the 2008 WorkSafe VCFL Country Championships,
Greatest Football Disappointment: When
AFL Team:
Favourite Food & Drink: Italian Food & Milk
Favourite holiday Destination:
MOST ADMIRED SPORTSMAN: Jana Rawlinson -has won a gold medal in every major world class event except Olympics, she overcomes obstacles and Jason McCartney for surviving the
Trevor POLLARD was appointed as a Board Member of the Goulburn Valley Football League in 1999 and will cap off a decade of excellent service for the G.V.F.L. at the end of the 2009 season. Trevor was born down in Warragul and attended the Drouin West Primary School and completed his education at the Warragul Technical School where he began to take to footy with a real passion. Trevor played Under 17's with the Buln Buln Football Club in the Ellinbank League and then graduated into the senior team where he notched up a total of 90 games. Trevor with his family then moved from Gippsland to the Milawa district in the North East of Victoria but he was'nt there for very long before Trev. and a brother moved up to Lockington in 1973 which began his long association with the Lockington Football Club who were then in the Echuca and District Football League. Locky. are now known as the Lockington Bamawm United Football Club and play in the Heahtcote and District Football League. During this time with Lochy., Trevor was a part of a golden era and involved in 9 premierships with the Seniors and Reserves. Trevor played a total of 230 senior games with Lockington and he not only had great success on the field, it is obvious he did pretty well off the field as well as it was in Locky. where Trevor met and married his wife Geraldine. Trevor and Geraldine have 4 children of whom they are very proud. Eldest Jarrod is now a very good and experienced player with Tatura, son Reece also had a run with the Bulldogs. Daughter Ellen is playing netball with Tatura and the youngest bloke Matt is a vital part of the Tatura Thirds Brigade. Trevor and wife Geraldine enjoy great pleasure watching the children play footy and netball.
Trevor played up to the end of the 1985 season and then swapped the footy shorts for long white strides to become a trainer with Lochy and then became President of the Club in 1987 and 1988. For his work, dedication and committment to the Lockington Football Club Trevor was awarded Life Membership of which he is very proud. Late in 1988, Trevor, Geraldine and the kids moved to Tatura to commence a Freight Delivery Service which Trevor continues with to this day. Upon arrival at Tatura, Trevor got involved with the Bulldogs pretty well straight away and joined the Committee in 1990 and held that position as well as being Team Manager for the Tatura teams right up to joining the G.V.F.L. as a Board Member. As can be seen, Trevor brings a wealth of experience as a player and administrator of our great game to be a valuable member of the G.V.F.L. where his expertise with our Under 18 Representative teams gained him the position of Team Manager and Property Steward of the V.C.F.L. Under 18 teams in the East v West concept over the last 10 years and as Team Manager of the the V.C.F.L. Under 19 teams when we play the Amateurs. Trevor also rolls up the sleeves when it comes to our finals and is excellent with his enthusism and attention to detail during all grades of footy right throughout our League when the finals and the pressure is really on. Trevor has always been a keen sportsman and along with his love of Australian Rules football he has enjoyed tennis and badminton. Trevor has played tennis with the Tatura Tennis Club over the last 10 years and has been Club Captain and was President of the Club for 2 years. Trevor is still enjoying his role with the G.V.F.L. Board and hopes to continue his role in the future. Trev. reports that for all the great times he had when he was playing footy it has been very rewarding to be part of the "off the field team" and being able to put something back into this great game.
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Mick was born on the 5th of August 1941 in Euroa and was christened Graeme Roy but has been known as Mick after his Dad and has been known as Mick ever since. Mick has lived in the township of Euroa all his life and probably always will. Mick's first involvement with footy was when he was at the Euroa Primary School and then began running the boundary for the Maggies Two's in the old Waranga and North League. Mick was paid the pricely sum of 5 bob for the two's and when he had the chance he'd earn 7/6 running the boundary for the Seniors. Mick prides himself of introducing whistles for boundary ump's because up to the mid 50's the boundaries would tie a hanky around a wrist and wave their arm in the air to indicate the footy was out of bounds. Mick had a relative late start to playing competively, 19 in fact when at the start of the 1961 season he was asked to make up numbers in a scratch match. Big Merv HUGHES Dad Ian was a school teacher in Euroa at the time and was the Senior Coach and encourgaged Mick to keep going on the ground rather than running around the outside. Mick played the 1961 season and half of the 1962 season in the Reserves but then was promoted to be 19th Man against Avenel at Avenel. On went Mick early in the last quarter and he got the bug. He went to full forward and slotted a few through the big sticks and nearly got the Magpies up despite being 6 goals down at 3/4 time. Mick then cemented his possie as the Centre Half Back for the Euroa senior team from 1963 to 1967. Remember this was in the Waranga and North East League. Big news at the time was in 1968 when Mick was appointed as playing Coach of Avenel and was at the Swans helm for 2 years. Back to Euroa for the final year in the W & NE FL in 1970 where Euroa won the flag but without Mick who smashed his collarbone just before the finals. As History shows, Euroa joined the G.V.F.L. in 1971 and were Premiers against Lemnos (Shepparton Swans) with G. WILLIAMS playing off a half back flank. Mick believes it is quite ironic that the Swans are the only club to have not won a GVFL flag since Euroa came into the competition. Mick remained with Euroa to the end of the 1973 season after racking up 198 senior games. Mick then went out to Longwood in the Benalla & District F.L. and played 4 years with the "Redlegs" culminating in the Senior flag in 1977 and then at the ripe young age of 36 Mick hung up the Jenkin Topliners. While playing footy and working for the Outdoor Staff with the Shire of Euroa Mick had time to marry Avenel girl Maureen MILLER in 1965 and be father to daughter Michelle and sons Gavin and Jeffery. Mick and Maureen now enjoy their 5 grandchildren, Kyle aged 12, Abby 10, Georgia 9, Zac 8 and the youngest in Madison who is 4.
When Mick was playing out at Longwood he began coaching the Euroa "midgets", the Under 12's, the Under 14's and the Under 16's as they were then and still are in the Seymour & District Junior Football League. In 1985 or thereabouts Mick joined the Euroa F.C. Committee and became Euroa's Delegate to the G.V.F.L. In 1993 Mick became President of Euroa and remained in that position for 3 years while wife Maureen headed up the Ladies Committee for 2 years. In 1989 Mick was appointed as the Junior Vice President of the G.V.F.L. under Barry CONNOLLY and Mick has remained an active member of the GVFL Executive all this time, the last 20 years. In 1996 when the GVFL changed to have a Board of Management as well as the Club Delegates, Mick then had to relinquish his position with Euroa to become "neutral". Mick then became Deputy Chairman under the Leadership of Ian FITZSIMMONS and still remains a very loyal and active member of the G.V.F.L. Board of Management with the Umpires being his main portfoio.
Just under 300 senior games of footy and a continual involvment in our game since he was a 14 year old, Mick relates that probably his biggest joy in footy was Euroa's Senior Premiership in 1990 when the team had 13 of Mick's kids he coached at Euroa Juniors. Other highlights of course were the Senior flags of 1963, '64 & 1965 - 1971 in Euroa's inaugral year with the GVFL and the 1977 flag with Longwood. Mick informs his biggest disappointments in footy were when he missed a number of games on two occasions with a broken shoulder and missing the 1970 Premiership in Euroa's last year in the Waranga North East League.
Ambitions / What do you want to see happen in the future ? Mick is very forthright in that he wants the GVFL to continue as a strength in football and netball. Mick is also a great believer that the future of footy in the Goulburn Murray region will involve an amalgamation of the Leagues to be controlled by a Central Administration hub.
Favourite Music :- Country & Western Favourite Drink :- white tea with 2 sugars Favourite Food :- Roasts Favourite Entertainment :- Hogan's Hero's Best Place visited / holiday destination :- Darwin and Caloundra.
Favourite AFL players from the past :- Ron BARASSI, Bluey SHELTON, John HENDERSON
Favourite current day AFL Players :- Matthew PAVLICH, Warren TREADREA, Ben COUSINS
Favourite A.F.L. team :- Nobody really, used to like Freeo when Chris CONNOLLY was the coach.
Favourite former G.V.F.L. Players :- Dick O'BREE, No.1 for sure; David CODE, Bill SYKES, Johnny GREENWOOD, Garry COOPER, Murray GALL, Robbie GALL, Ian McROBERT, Kevin STORER, Bluey SHELTON and apolgies to many others.
Favourite current day G.V.F.L. players :- Shane SCHOTTNER, Marc HARRAP, Paul KIRBY
Community Involvement :- Mick has been a Councillor continuous since 1997 when he retired from work and was Mayor of the Strathbogie Shire for the Year 2000.
Well Done Mick - Keep up the good work!
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Born in the middle of the Goulburn Valley at the old Mooroopna Hospital in 1951 but claimed as a Demon from birth as both Mum Eva and Dad Bluey worked at the SPC Cannery and were involved with City United. Norm began playing footy at the St George's Road school oval with the United Under 13 B's as a 9 year old and remembers those years as the United juniors hardly won a game. Things began to improve when some of the United kids got bigger and better. These lads were Des CAMPBELL and John HUESTON and some other outstanding boys who did'nt go on with footy. Things got even better when Norm and his mates moved up to United 3rds in 1966 and then in 1967 won the GVFL Third's flag over Kyabram. The GVFL Thirds commenced in 1965 and was Under 17's back then. This has been Norm's only Premiership as a player and has fond memories when the scrap book and older photo's come out. The Beatles Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band L.P. was the music of the day and is probably Norm's favourite along with the Double White album.
As a teenager Norm was impressed by former United Secretary and Policeman Les O'KEEFE and young gun from Kyabram Liam OGDEN's Grandfather Joe OGDEN who was a Detective at Shepparton at the time. Impressed and encouraged by these men and weighing all of 10 stone 8 pound Norm walked into the old Police Depot in South Melbourne on the 4th of August 1969 and to this day is still a serving member of the Victoria Police Force based at Shepparton. Norm's first Police station was at Footscray and he has happy memories of working in uniform at the Western Oval and Windy Hill and at the Flemington and Moonee Valley racetracks and at the Showgrounds when the trots were held there. Norm came back to Shepparton in 1974 a bit heavier and slower and had a run with United but then went out to Congupna where John HUESTON was coaching. This was where Norm had his first taste of football administration when he represented Peter GRAEME in an Appeal to be cleared from United to Congupna. Mr Neil HAYMES was President of United at the time - needless to say that Peter GRAEME remained at United for that year. It was a very good learning experience. Norm went back to Melbourne to join the C.I.B. in 1977 and worked at Russell Street and Reservoir C.I.B. Then in 1979 with wife Liz and sons Glendon and Anthony moved up to Wangaratta C.I.B. Liz and Norm and the boys enjoyed a couple of really good years with the Tarrawingee club out in the Ovens and King League and Norm also found time to join the Merriwa Wangaratta Apex Club. Son David was born in 1983 as the family were preparing to move back to Shepparton. In 1986 Norm was appointed as Treasurer of the Shepparton United club under the terrific leadership of Ian MARRETT and then became Secretary and commenced his involvement with the GVFL as United's Delegate. In 1990, '91 and '92 Liz was the Secretary and Vice President of the GV Netball League and Coached the A Grade team to success in their inaugral attempt at Country Week down in Melbourne. Norm has always been a passionate footy man and even when on the United committee he was involved with the St Mel's and Notre Dame clubs when the boys played before moving on to United. In 2000 and 2001 Norm was involved with the Murray Bushrangers when son David played in the Bushies and over the last few years has attended games in the K.D.F.L. and the Picola League where son Anthony has played and also attended games in the Yarra Valley Mountain District League and more recently in the Essendon and District League where son David is playing. With Norm's background as a Detective and experience acting as United's tribunal Advocate over many years, he has been accredited as an Investigations Officer with the VCFL and has conducted investigations within the Goulburn-Murray region over the last ten years. Norm reports that he has always enjoyed footy meetings, particularly those with the GVFL and that when Keith WELLMAN returned to the GVFL and when a a vacancy was created to take a position as a Board member for the League Norm jumped at the opportunity. Norm enjoys his role with the League in his portfolio as an editor for the GVFL website and as Secretary for the Tribunal.
Norm's footy wishes :- that all GVFL clubs remain vibrant and healthy and continue to care for and promote our youth - also that the GVFL remains strongly respected in football.
AFL Club :- Essendon Favourite former VFL/AFL players :- Terry DANIHER, Tim WATSON, Peter HUDSON, James HIRD Favourite current AFL players :- Jonathon BROWN, Simon BLACK, Paddy RYDER, Jobe WATSON Favourite former GVFL players :- Des CAMPBELL, Trevor EDDY, Bill SYKES Best Music :- The Beatles Best Movie :- Paint Your Wagon Best Food :- Roast Lamb / Silverside Best Drink :- black tea, Coke Zero Favourite Holiday spots :- Gough's Bay and Tassie Footy Satisfactions :- United's Premierships of '87, '88 & '89 & also seeing kids develop into top line players Footy Disappointments :- not playing enough & the year 2000 Grand Final
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Freddo's 56 year involvement in our great game began in 1953 when he became officially involved with the Tri Colours as Tatura were known then. Freddo began with the Tatura F.C. Juniors and had five years with the kids before he made his Senior debut in 1958. With the Juniors Freddo played off for two flags and were premiers in 1956 under Coach Fred VOLK who instilled in Freddo and his team-mates an appreciation for the footy clubs values, the people who looked after the club, the volunteers and the fooy club and general community. Freddo well remembers the key words for success as being Passion, Loyalty, Dedication and Respect. Freddo won the Shepparton and District Junior Football League Medal as Best & Fairest in season 1957 and was invited to have a run with Collingwood. The Bulldogs Senior Coach for season 1958 was the great former Carlton champion Keith WARBURTON who Freddo remembers with great affection declaring that his leadership inspired all who played with him and the fact he drew crowds from miles around to watch Warby. Freddo trialled with Collingwood again in the 1959 pre-season but his love for the Bulldogs saw him cement his spot and begin his marvellous run of 300 Senior games with Tatura to become the GVFL Games record holder for 13 years until Mick SOUTER from Tongala and then Anthony "Tank" McPHEE snook up on Freddo's record. For the pre-seasons of 1963 and 1964 Freddo tried out with the Melbourne Demons but stayed at home with Tat. During Freddo's 300 club games he also represented the GVFL on 11 occasions and in 1966 won the GVFL True Boot competition kicking the most goals for the year. Could kick a goal could Freddo - typical cheeky rover who had trouble with hand-ball and in fact won Tatura's Leading Goal Kicking award on 8 occasions. Another stand-out record is the fact that Freddo was Tat's Runner-Up for the Senior B & F on no less than 14 occasions but did in fact win it in 1966. Freddo was appointed a Qualified Life Member of the GVFL when he cracked the 200 Senior games and was the GVFL 200 Club Inaugral President and also formed the Tatura F.C. Past Players Association.
On retirement as a player Freddo became involved with Coaching juniors and was then appointed the Melbourne F.C. Country Recruiting Officer for the 1976 to 1981 period and during this time became involved with the VCFL Caltex and VCFL Under 16 State rep teams in the National Carnivals and a highlight was winning the titles with the Vic Country kids in 2000 and 2001. As well as all this involvement Freddo has been the Team Manager for the GVFL Senior teams for the last 15 years. Freddo was also appointed the Country Recruiting Officer for the Collingwood F.C. for the 1988,'89,90 and 1991 seasons. In 1992 Freddo was appointed as the the V.C.F.L. Deputy Director for the Goulburn Murray Region under Mr Bernie TOBIN and counts this period of time when he was involved with all leagues, clubs and people in the region as a very special and rewarding time. Upon Bernie's retirement Freddo became the VCFL Director and held that position until the VCFL closed down the Regional Board format. During this time Freddo was honoured and rewarded with the VCFL Recognition of Service to Football Medal and the National Australian Rules Football Council Merit Award for Service to Australian Football.
Freddo was elected to the Board of the G.V.F.L. for the 2006 season and is presently still with the Board and went through the few tough years but has come through with just as much vigor and passion as ever. Freddo sincerely thanks the efforts of immediate past Chairman John COGHLAN, current Chairman Ian McDONALD and the return of our General Manager Keith WELLMAN. Freddo is happy where he is and promotes the GVFL to be a good place to be.
Freddo's highlights in footy is his 56 year involvement in all areas of footy and relates that people in football have a special bond. There have been many changes in football over this time with the grounds nearly all being in good condition with excellent facilities plus the netball involvement and the Junior Development Programs. Freddo is a great one with the logo to let progress continue.
Freddo's Best former players :- Keith WARBURTON, Doug PALMER (Lemnos), Ron PAEZ (Shepparton), Gary COOPER, John GREENWOOD and many others. Freddo's Best Team he has been involved with was the 1984 Interleague Team which gets the nod by a smidgin' over the 1994 Interleague team.
Best Current day players :- Paul NEWMAN, great hands and kick. Best Coaches :- Roland CROSBY and Bill COADY.
Favourite things :- Family, Beverely, wife of 45 wonderful years, 2 adult children and 4 grand-kids. Freddo loves caravan trips, golf and being with family and friends having a cool water, a Zero Coke with a Roast or perhaps a Tortaline.
Freddo Credo :- "Support your Club, your Team and your League with a Passion."
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Robert BELL was born in Euroa and began his football life in his home town during what he and many others call Euroa's Golden Era of the 1960's and '70's. It is fact that Euroa joinined the G.V.F.L. 1971 and promptly won Senior Premiership in their first year. Robert joined the Royal Australian Navy at the tender age of 15 and a half years and for the next 6 years Rob was "Aye Aye Sir-ing" all over the place and aboard the HMAS Sydney resulting in several trips to South East Asia and Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Returning back home to Victoria and Euroa, Rob enrolled at Uni in Melbourne and began a Marketing course before joing the old Telstra (now Telecom) back in 1974. Robert is now in his 34th year with this telecommunications giant and has had varied roles commencing as a Telegraphist, then into Human Rescources and then eight years in Corporate Sales. More recently and with a move with wife Julie-Anne (a Tocumwal girl) and daughters Abby and Georgia, Rob and the family are in Shepparton with Rob being the Area General Manager, Northern Victoria, Telstra Country Wide. Robert's responsibilities are related to sales, customer service, technical support, commercial activities and public relations. Rob has seen the glory days of Euroa in the good old Waranga & North East days and their entrenchment into the GVFL. Rob states he played around 180 games with Euroa across the three grades but mainly in the Reserves and describes himself to have been a good ordinary player. Rob lists his footy highlights to be when he played his first Senior game with the Maggies and in a unique highlight well remembers playing for Euroa in the Reserves Grand Final v Echuca on the Saturday before the GVFL Senior Grand Final on the Sunday. While at Uni and down in Melbourne with the start of his Telecom career Rob played three seasons with Templestowe in the very strong Diamond Valley F.L. Rob finished playing footy in 1984 but then took up umpiring in the V.A.F.A. in an effort to keep fit and to put something back into the game. Umpiring then (as now) presented many challenges as well as a lot of enjoyment. After officiating in 250 games of which 150 were in the A Grade Division, Rob hung up the whilste in 1996. Highlights from umpiring were officiating in 3 B Grade Grand Finals and being presented with Life Membership with the Victorian Amatuer Football League Umpires Association in 1994. Robert's interests are now his family, golf, the Melbourne Football Club and the Goulburn Valley Football League as our newest Board member. Since being located in Shepparton Robert is an active member with the Shepparton South Rotary Club, the Shepparton Branch of the R.S.L. and the local Chamber of Commerce. Rob's vision and resolve is to ensure the GVFL is a viable and thriving competition maintaining the ethos that every person that wants to play the best game in the world should be given that chance.
Best Present Day AFL player :- Gary ABLETT
Best Present GVFL Player :- Elliott BOWEN Best Former GVFL Player :- Ian McROBERT
Football Desire/Ambition :- To see the Melbourne Football Club be A.F.L. Premiers
Greatest Football Satisfaction :- First GVFL Senior game & Umpiring VAFA Grand Finals
Greatest Football Disappointment :- 2000 Melbourne losing the AFL Premiership, Euroa losing the 2005 GVFL Premiership.
Favourite Food & Drink :- pasta and a good red wine
Favourite Holiday destination :- New Zealand.
Thanks for putting your hand up to help Rob; playing, umpiring and now being a GVFL Board Member, Rob is certainly putting back into the game.
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