Dedicated to ‘Digger’: Brendan Nicholson with Margaret Wickham, presenting the Centenary Book that is dedicated to her late husband Alf ‘Digger’ Wickham.
Arguably Girgarre Football Netball Club’s most loved figure, Graeme ‘Bluey’ Halls was named the inaugural legend at Saturday’s long-awaited centenary celebration.
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Girgarre also announced its Team of the Century and launched a book celebrating 100 years of the club.
Halls arrived at Girgarre in 1961 and has been a player, coach, president for nine years, trainer and supporter.
Club president Matt Graetz said Bluey’s contribution to the club was unmatched as he had stuck by the club through the great times, as well as the tough times.
Mr Halls’ reaction to winning the honour was typical of his demeanour, complete shock that he had been chosen for the award.
His two sons, Greg and Shaun, both played at the club.
Greg won two club best and fairest awards as a junior in 1976 and 1977, as well as an Under 17 league medal. He left for Melbourne before returning to the club in 1994 where he was the secretary for six years.
The club’s centenary book, They’re Champions You’ll Agree, was revealed and launched on the night. The book is dedicated to Alf ‘Digger’ Wickham, the late husband of life member Margaret Wickham.
Mrs Wickham was in attendance to present the book to the gathering.
David Marshall was selected, from a field of four premiership coaches, to be coach of the Team of the Century.
“It was a shock and a surprise absolutely to be named coach,” he said.
“Because I didn’t know what the criteria was and all the players that were picked in the team were multi best and fairest winners.”
The nod was given to Marshall, as his 1983 premiership side consisted of entirely home-grown talent. The team almost missed the final four and went into the finals series as underdogs.
The 1983 premiership win was described as one of “character and courage”, as Mr Marshall was able to get the best out of his players for the ultimate prize.
“We had a pretty good year, but it wasn’t outstanding. We played Tallygaroopna, who was premiership favourite, about three times in that season and the closest we got was six goals,” Mr Marshall said.
In the last home game, Girgarre won by a point. Had the team lost that game it would have missed out on finals.
That win took the Roos from third to second the ladder. They won both finals games by the skin of their teeth to book their spot in the grand final where they won the flag by a goal.
Mr Marshall discussed how having a completely local team helped with the camaraderie and availability of players throughout the season.
“That year (1983) was my second stint of coaching,” he said.
“Being a rural community, and with a team made up of a lot of dairy farmers, they used to dry off the cows and go on holidays.”
Marshall said he didn’t remember a game that season where a player wasn’t available to be picked.
“Everything went right that season, it seemed destined to be our time,” he said.
Sheree Starling was selected as a player and the coach of the club’s netball Team of the Century.
She was the club’s best and fairest in 1997 and 2017, and was also A grade coach in 1997. She played as a mid-court player, was the captain in 2017 and has played in 57 A grade games.
As a coach she has also mentored 11 junior teams between 2015 and 2019, with nine of her teams making the finals.
Under Starling’s leadership the Under 15 team played finals in 2015 (elimination final), 2017 (grand final), won the premiership in 2018 and made it to the semi-final in 2019.
Ms Starling is currently co-ordinator of all Girgarre’s junior teams.
Strict criteria was adhered in the selection process, with footballers required to have played a minimum of two seasons and be picked in the position they played.
In netball, they had to have had won at least two A grade best and fairest awards.
Brendan Nicholson, who is a club committee member, said he backed the tough decisions made by the selection panels for both teams of the century.
“Many of the names in the team came and went a long, long time before I came to the club. I trust the group of people who was put in charge of selections,” Mr Nicholson said.
“Everyone would’ve had their team named a little different if they had to do it. I am sure there are some people that missed out, but I am not one to second guess it.”
Mr Graetz said he was happy, and relieved, to have finally hosted the event after having had to reschedule it multiple times due to the pandemic.
“In 2020, we were six weeks out from having it then we were locked out due to COVID,” he said.
“We were going to hold it last year and were under four weeks from the event when the lockdown happened again. This year we said we just have to do it no matter what.”
Girgarre’s Football Team of the Century: Players and family representatives of those who weren’t able to be in attendance.
Girgarre’s Netball Team of the Century: Vicki Casey, Chelsea Nicholson, Stacey McCarron, Katrina Buchannan, Mirelle Backway, Kari Myers and Sheree Starling.
Girgarre Football Club’s coach of the century: David Marshall.
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