Australian Rules football had been played in the Bacchus Marsh area from at least the 1870s. The first meeting to form a club was held in Bacchus Marsh in 1874 but it was not until the 1880s that regular matches were played in the district. In 1912 it was decided by representatives from a number of football clubs in the district to form a football association to better organize and promote the development of the game in the district. Hence by 25 May 1912 the Bacchus Marsh District Football Association was formed comprising the following clubs: Bacchus Marsh, Deer Park, Melton, Parwan, and Maddingley. This image shows the delegates from the various clubs to the newly formed association. The individual people in the image have been specifically identified but the clubs they represented have not. The unnamed umpires in the image have been identified by the honorary historian and statistician of the Australian Football League Umpires Association, David Flegg. Left, Fred Lucas (Goal Umpire), centre, Evan James (Field Umpire), and right, James Smith (Goal Umpire). The date of this image is 9th August 1913. Newspaper reports in the Bacchus Marsh Express on 9th August confirm the participation of these umpires in a Bacchus Marsh versus Melton match on this date. The match took place at Maddingley Park, which appears to be the location where the picture was taken.This item has historic and social significance as an image of one of the early sporting administrators of Bacchus Marsh and District. It is a typical example of group photographs of this era. It is evidence of the transition of football from a social informal setting to an organised activity and signals the growth of importance of sport, in this case Australian Rules football, as a cultural and social activity central to the Australian ethos. It reflects the pride local districts invested in their local sporting clubs. A sepia photograph mounted on a cardboard mat, showing a group of sixteen men arranged in three rows in a park setting. Twelve men are dressed in suits, collars and ties, a thirteenth man is wearing a uniform coat with epaulettes. Several of the men are wearing ribbons which may indicate their membership of the Association, and/or their status as delegates. In the front row, three men are crouched, two wearing white coats over their suits, and holding white flags, denoting their role as goal umpires. The middle man, the field umpire, is wearing long-sleeved top, shorts, socks and laced-up athletic shoes. On the front, under the photo, hand-written, the words: Delegates 1913. Bacchus Marsh District Football Association. Beneath the title: Top Frank Winderlich. H Connors (s deleted). G.Coburn. P. McDonald. McKenzie? Grant Morton. Edgar Smith. Mid: Roy Edwards. J.J.Barry Snr. Ross. Robert Dugdale. Cunningham. J.B. Doherty. Bottom Row. Not inscribed but have been identified as VFL accredited umpires. Left, Goal Umpire Fred Lucas, centre Field Umpire Evan James, right Goal Umpire James Smith. On the back: Hand-written: Executive members of the First Football League (formed 1912). Given by E.Kight. E. Kight Grant Street Bacchus Marsh. On a white label: Miss Gwynne Moore. australian rules football, bacchus marsh district football association

A football trophy sponsored by a Mr W. H. Moore of the Border Inn Hotel Bacchus Marsh presented to the champion player for the Bacchus Marsh Club, R. (Ron) Durham. Presented in 1939.Silver plated football trophy.W. H. Moore Cup Bacchus Marsh FC won by R. Durhamaustralian rules football, bacchus marsh football club, ron durham australian rules football player

This photo is a very early example of an action image from an Australian Rules football match in a rural area in Victoria. The identity of the two teams is not confirmed. The team with the dark colored uniform is probably the Bacchus Marsh football team. The other team is possibly Parwan. The style of uniforms suggest the date of the photo is from around 1910 or possibly a few years earlier. This item has particular historic and social significance as an action image of two of the early sporting teams of Bacchus Marsh and district. These type of images are very rare for teams outside of the major metropolitan competitions such as the Victorian Football League of Victorian Football Association. It therefore provides a rare and fascinating depiction of an early football game as it was played and the ground conditions in which footballers played in the early 1900s.A black and white photograph produced from a digitized glass negative held by the State Library of Victoria titled, ‘Men and boys playing football on an oval set among trees and fields’ ca. 1910, Pictures Collection, State Library Victoria, H92.433/20. The description for the image held by the State Library of Victoria does not identify the location where the image was taken. By close comparison with other images of Maddingley Park held by the Bacchus Marsh and District Historical Society the location has been identified as Maddingley Park, Bacchus Marsh. A significant identifier for this image is the presence of the Evans Pavilion in the background which was built in 1896. Trees and statues in the background on the left side of the image also match other images of Maddingley Park from this time.australian rules football, bacchus marsh football club, australian rules football action images

The Keio University Hawks were one of the first two Aussie rules teams in Japan, along with the Waseda University Bombers. Those teams were formed to play a warm-up game at Yokohama baseball stadium before an exhibition match between VFL teams Essendon and Hawthorn. The first visit by the Keio Hawks to Australia was in September 1988, About 20 students from Keio and two or three from other universities made the trip. Their visit included training sessions at the Hawthorn and North Melbourne clubs. They then played Japan's first international match against the Sunbury Football Club's under-19 team.The following year they returned to Australia and during this visit played a match in Bacchus Marsh in September 1989. The Keio Hawks returned to Australia over subsequent years in the 1990s included some visits to Bacchus Marsh. During one of these visit a Keio Hawks pennant was presented to the Shire of Bacchus Marsh.Football club banner. Three vertical felt stripes in red and blue with the team name KEIO written in white felt block letters across the width of the banner. Along the top of the banner, a narrow strip of white felt with two metal eyelets to allow for display. Gold coloured textile fringe along the V-shaped bottom of the banner. In a whimsical reference to the university origin of the club, there are two gold felt crossed pen-nibs on the central red section. KEIOkeio university australian rules football club, australian rules football teams japan, australian rules football bacchus marsh

This photo is probably the oldest known photographic record of the Balliang Football Club, an Australian Rules football team in the Bacchus Marsh area. Australian Rules football was played in this area as early as the 1870s. An organized competition to play regular matches was formed in the early years of the twentieth century. This item has historic and social significance as an image of one of the early sporting teams of Bacchus Marsh and district. It is a typical example of team photographs of this era. It is evidence of the transition of football from a social informal setting to an organised activity and signals the growth of importance of sport, in this case Australian Rules football, as a cultural and social activity central to the Australian ethos.A sepia photograph print mounted on mounting board, showing a group of 20 men arranged in two rows with two men reclining in front. Fifteen men are wearing horizontally striped football guernseys, one wearing a guernsey which is vertically striped. Two men wear white guernseys with a diagonal sash, one man in the back row is dressed formally in suit, collar and tie. One man, identified as the umpire, is in a white polo-necked sweater and is holding a football. The photo is taken in a clearing in an outdoor setting. It is possible to see the figures of three women in the background, two looking on from under a tree, one walking along a footpath.Above the photo in red ink:"Balliang Football Team 1912." Beneath the photo in red ink with one alteration in blue ink the names: "J.Davie, C. Bissell, F. Dodemaide (these two names showing a reversal of position), J.Turnbull, G.Dodemaide, A. Phalp, A. Bissell, A. Cashmore, J.Sharkey. R.McArthur, J.Cashmore., W. Loats, C. Smith. Elliott (ump), B.Phalp. W.Cashmore, L. Beggs. Because the number of names given does not tally with the number of men in the photo, it is not possible to accurately ascribe a name to any individual player. Underneath the hand-written names, there is a circular professional stamp of the photographer, reading: PHOTO ARTIST BACCHUS MARSH. A.BESELERballiang football team, australian rules football

Parwan Football Club was formed in May 1912. The specific date of this photo is not given, but it is likely that it was taken between 1912 and 1914, when the football competition was suspended. This photo is one of the oldest known photographic records of an Australian Rules football team in the Bacchus Marsh area. Australian Rules football was played in this area as early as the 1870s. An organized competition to play regular matches was formed in the early years of the twentieth century. This item has historic and social significance as an image of one of the early sporting teams of Bacchus Marsh and district. It is a typical example of team photographs of this era. It is evidence of the transition of football from a social informal setting to an organised activity and signals the growth of importance of sport, in this case Australian Rules football, as a cultural and social activity central to the Australian ethos. A sepia photograph print mounted on mounting board, showing a group of 20 men arranged in three rows. Two men, standing at either end of the group, are wearing street clothes. The remaining men are wearing a uniform of striped guernseys, white knickerbockers, knee high socks and lace up boots. Two of the men are wearing front-laced guernseys. Three are wearing striped caps, which could be part of the uniform, two a flat cap and two are wearing brimmed hats. There is a consistency in the uniform they are wearing, indicating that team sport is becoming more organised.On the front, a circular professional stamp reading: PHOTO ARTIST BACCHUS MARSH. A. BESELER. On the reverse: A white paper rectangle pasted onto the board, with hand-written notations: Back - with numbers 1-10. Against no.1 Doherty. Against no. 3 Dodemaide. Middle_ numbers 1-5. Front_ numbers 1-5. Under the paper, hand-written in blue ink: PARWAN FOOTBALL CLUBaustralian rules football, parwan football club

This photo is one of the oldest known photographic records of an Australian Rules football team in the Bacchus Marsh area. Australian Rules football was played in this area as early as the 1870s. An organized competition to play regular matches was formed in the early years of the twentieth century. This photo records the premiership winning team of 1912 in the match played against Melton. The match was reported in the Bacchus Marsh Express of 31 August 1912. The names of the players are not recorded on this photo, but the Express records the names of Marsh, Fairbank, Northcott, Palmer, Roy Simpson, Morris, Tom Grant, Jack Taylor, Bert Jones, Portingale (c.), Densley Bros., Wittick, Harry Grant, Leonard, Odgers, Bodycote.This item has historic and social significance as an image of one of the early sporting teams of Bacchus Marsh and district. It is a typical example of team photographs of this era. It is evidence of the transition of football from a social informal setting to an organised activity and signals the growth of importance of sport, in this case Australian Rules football, as a cultural and social activity central to the Australian ethos.A sepia photograph print mounted on mounting board, showing a group of 27 men arranged in three rows in front of a banner reading PREMIERS 1912 BMFC. Eighteen men are in football guernseys, nine in civilian clothes, three of whom are carrying towels over their shoulders. One player, very likely the captain, is holding a football. The photo is taken in an outdoor setting. On the reverse in pencil: 'Middle row - 5th from left JOHN WITTICK.'bacchus marsh football club, australian rules football

This is the earliest known photo of an Australian Rules football team in the Bacchus Marsh area. The photo is of 27 men and two boys standing in front of the Evans Pavilion at Maddingley Park Bacchus Marsh. The image shows players, officials and trainers, the players wearing early twentieth century playing guernseys featuring front fastenings. Some are wearing knickerbockers, some long trousers. Trainers have their towels slung over their shoulders. Men in civilian clothes, possibly club officials, are wearing suits and hats. The boys and two of the players are wearing caps, one player wearing a hat. The central figure, possibly the captain, is holding a football which has the initials B M I F C. These initials stand for "Bacchus Marsh Imperial Football Club". At this time, many football clubs used the word "imperial" in their title. This team may possibly have had the nick-name of "Imperials".This item has historic and social significance as the earliest image of one of the early sporting teams of Bacchus Marsh and district. It is evidence of the growth of importance of sport, in this case Australian Rules football, as a cultural and social activity central to the Australian ethos. It is also evidence of the dominance of the masculine ethos in the Australian culture of this time. The image has strong research value for the information it conveys about this particular club and its early participants.Photographic reproduction of earlier photographHand written below photograph "Bacchus Marsh Football Club 1901." The names Fred Pearce and Jack Bence with arrows indicating the players identified.bacchus marsh imperial football club, australian rules football

Traditionally the Ballarat School of Mines has fielded a strong Australian Rules Foootball team. This team includes Danny Frawley. Frawley went on to play and coach Australian Rules Football at the highest level. He was the longest serving captain of the St Kilda Football Club and enjoyed a career from 1984–1995. He was inducted into the Saints' hall of fame in 2007. (Wikipedia)The Ballarat School of Mines Football team with Colin McCurry as coach. The team wore yellow shorts and green jumper with yellow 'V'. Standing left to right: Craig Curran (Jex), Tony James, Craig Curran, ? Graham, Peter Carey, Danny Frawley (Spud), ['Specs' (nickname)]?, Michael Hickman (Bacchus Marsh), 9?, Sandy Blythe (Derrinallum), 11?, 12?, Fred Messamaker? Seated left to right: Mark Sculley, Kevin Searle (Carngham Linton), [Stewart Brogden?], Colin McCurry (Coach), Marcus Furlong (Buninyong), Col Baker (Rokewood- Corindhap). Front: ?ballarat school of mines, football, herald shield, mccurry, frawley, danny frawley., australian rules football, vfl, afl

Darley football club was formed in 1919. Darley lies on the northern side of the township of Bacchus Marsh. It is part of the overall township of Bacchus Marsh but forms a distinct community within Bacchus Marsh especially in the early period of its history. The area is known as a football breeding ground and has produced many champion players at VFL and AFL level and the club has had sustained success over many decades in various competitions. For many years it played in the Bacchus Marsh District Football Association. From the mid 1990s it has competed in the Ballarat Football League.A black and white photograph print mounted on mounting board, showing a group of 19 players, 3 non playing officials and one child acting as the mascot arranged in three rows. A player in the centre holds a football with D.F.C. Premiers 1939 written upon it. Nineteen men are in football Guernseys, 3 are in civilian clothes. Two of these have towels over their shoulders and are probably trainers. In the centre is the third non-player who is presumably the coach. The photo is taken in an outdoor setting. The child is a young boy dressed in the clubs uniform and sits in the front row between the legs of another player. At the foot of the photo is, "Darley F. B. C. Premiers 1938-39". On the reverse are written some of the players names. Back row: 1. C. Lillburn, 2. ? Cook. 3 Skinner. 4 -----------. 5 Jimmy Younger. 6. Barry. 7. Albie Jones: Middle Row: 1. ----------. 2. McMahon. 3. Ray Closter. 4. Pop Closter. 5 ----------. 6. Mickey Dix. 7 ---------. 8. Densley. Front Row: 1. -----------. 2. Hartley Younger. 3. Whelan. Darley Football Club 1938-39. At to of reverse: 'Donated by the Wittick Family 12 - 1 - 2004. Marie Wittick'.darley football club, australian rules football

Darley Football club contested the 1954 Bacchus Marsh District Football Association Grand Final against Maddingley Football Club. This photograph is thought to have been taken in 1954. It is cited in some sources as the Premiership winning team of 1954. This is incorrect as Maddingley Football club were the premiers in this year. It is possibly a photo taken at the time of the Grand Final of 1954 and subsequently misidentified. Or, it may be a photo from another year in the 1950s.A black and white photograph print on a mounting board in a display folder, showing a group 30 men, 3 boys and one younger child seated on the knee of a man probably his father. The group is arranged in three rows, 10 in civilian clothes, the rest in vertically-striped guernseys and white shorts. In the front row, seated in the middle, are three boys, club mascots , dressed in uniform guernseys and shorts. Two of the men have towels slung over their shoulder, indicating that they were club trainers. The photo is taken in an outdoor setting, probably Maddingley Park. There are no names on the mounting board, but from information taken from "Bacchus Marsh. A Pictorial Chronicle", 1986, by Gwyn Moore and Jean Oomes. This source incorrectly identifies this team as Premiers 1954. Bacchus Marsh Express of Saturday 18 September 1954 reported "Decisive Win by Maddingley." The score was recorded as Maddingley 17.11 Darley 12.15. The names given in Moore and Oomes are: Back Row: l-r: M.Cook, B.Skinner, J.Cook, C.Reddrop, L.Holt, J.Cook, M.Carr, J.Carr, M. Younger, B.Carr, R.Stevens, W.Richardson, B.Giani. Middle Row: C.Casey, N.Thomson, N.Holt, G.Tudball, J.Ashby, L.Carr, L.Carr jnr., M.Younger, J.Moore, T.Densley, L.McKenzie Front Row: H.Cairns, P.Shea, L.Kight, M.Shea, R.Closter, A.Franklin, with mascots.darley football club, australian rules football

Toolern Vale and Coimadai are small communities near Bacchus Marsh and Melton. The two small communities combined to form an Australian Rules football club around the early 1920s. The club name appears in the Bacchus Marsh and Melton local newspapers during football seasons between 1924 and 1930. In 1928 the club were premiers in the Junior division of the local football association. The Junior division was not an under age competition but a lower level competition than the main or senior level local competition. Toolern Vale-Coimadai defeated Darley by nine points in the 1928 Grand Final. A very detailed report of the premiership game was published in Bacchus Marsh Express on 1st September 1928, page 4. This image appears to be a rare example of a photograph of a football team representing the Toolern Vale-Coimadai district. It is an import documentary record of football in a small community. A black and white photograph print mounted on mounting board, showing a group of 24 men arranged in three rows along side a grandstand. Eighteen men are in football guernseys, six in civilian clothes. Board and print are split top to bottom, and a small part of the image is missing due to a tear. At bottom of photo: 'Toolern Vale J.F.B Club' and written in dark ink and barely legible is '& Coimadai' On the reverse in pencil: 'Premiers; A. Cairns'australian rules football, toolern vale - coimadai football club, darley football club