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

Large coloured photograph mounted on cream cardboard. Photograph appears to have been enhanced.Title in black and gold Names of players written below photograph Photographer's nameballarat teachers' college, football, premiers, 1963, g mills, j scanlon, r junor, b casey, g powell, t leighton, n broad, g tobin, goal umpire, b hillman, m tanian, t benson, m jones, g ronan, g hannan, t martino, f boermans, boundary umpire, r braszell, g adams, j mccubbery, captain, p fryar, coach, w dickeson, vice captain, g goldsmith

This photograph shows Sam Lynn with his team of Clydesdales. Samuel James Lynn was born in 1865 in Coleraine, Northern Ireland. His father was James Lynn and his mother was Mary Jane Keith. Sam, as he was known, was the second of three brothers, his older brother being William and his younger brother was John Wilson Lynn. (info. Margaret Hollands) Samuel Lynn was a well-known Orbost pioneer. He owned much property throughout the district , bred Clydesdale horses and fattened about 600 cattle. He was in great demand as a judge of both cattle and horses at agricultural shows in Victoria and interstate. He was a shire councillor for 30 years and president several times. He took a great interest in the sporting clubs of the town and played cricket until late in life. He was goal umpire for the local football team for many years, judged for the Orbost Racing Club and was the first president of the Orbost Bowls Club. He was also a member of the first municipal band. Sam Lynn was a well-known Orbost pioneer. The Lynn family has a long historic connection with the Orbost agricultural history.A small black / white photograph of four men, two standing and two sitting, in a horse draw buggy. Four large horses are harnessed to it.lynn-sam transport-horse-drawn clydesdale-horses

This is a photograph of Dave Hawkless crossing the Snowy River at Bete Bolong with a wagon load of maize from the farm of Sam Lynn. David Hawkless was married to Mary Downey in 1906. They had five children. Samuel James Lynn was born in 1865 in Coleraine, Northern Ireland. His father was James Lynn and his mother was Mary Jane Keith. Sam, as he was known, was the second of three brothers, his older brother being William and his younger brother was John Wilson Lynn. (info. Margaret Hollands) Samuel Lynn was a well-known Orbost pioneer. He owned much property throughout the district , bred Clydesdale horses and fattened about 600 cattle. He was in great demand as a judge of both cattle and horses at agricultural shows in Victoria and interstate. He was a shire councillor for 30 years and president several times. He took a great interest in the sporting clubs of the town and played cricket until late in life. He was goal umpire for the local football team for many years, judged for the Orbost Racing Club and was the first president of the Orbost Bowls Club. He was also a member of the first municipal band.This is a pictorial record of the transporting of maize in the Orbost district in th late 19th century. It is associated with Sam Lynn, a prominent citizen of early Orbost.A small black / white photograph of wagons crossing a river. There is a man on a horse beside what appears to be a team of bullocks pulling a loaded wagon.hawkless-david agriculture-maize transport

A team photograph of the 1958 Australian Rules Football team from the Greensborough Football Club. Includes players and support staff.This photograph is a record of those people involved in the Greensborough Football Club in 1958.Black and White photograph of the Greensborough Football Team 1958. Includes name of players and support team. Mounted on brown card.Greensborough Football Club. Diamond Valley Football League. 1958. Team members: Back row D.Hall R.Skals D.Rogers B.McMaster-Smith R.Hall 4th Row: R.Willis C.Watson B.Coombs R.Dickson R.Danaher J.Richards 3rd Row J.Kill, goal umpire E.Bishop, trainer T.Partington H.Fraser D.Wickes R.Towler D.mcDowell G.Coventry R.Ward K.Gillespie, trainer J.Maurer, trainer 2nd row F.LeGassick D Williams F. Londrigan, capt and coach F.Anderson, vice capt P.Abbott I.Williams Front Row J.Ely, trainer T.Tobin, trainer B. Tooth, mascot J.Waites, boundary umpire, I.Smith, trainer. greensborough football club, 1958

A team photograph of the 1952 Australian Rules Football team from the Greensborough Football Club. Includes players and support staff. This photograph is a record of those involved with the club in a Premiership year 1952.Black and White photograph of the Greensborough Football Team 1952. Includes name of players and support team. Mounted on brown card. Greensborough Football Club. Premiers 1952. Team names: Standing at rear: H. Cockbill (Committee) J. Richards (Committee) E. Elliott (Vice President) J. Lawrence (Vice President) K. White (Committee) R. Tooth (Treasurer). Back row: L. Hall (Trainer) C. Cook (Trainer) R. Ormsby D. Wickes R. Sondemeyer D. Franklin G. Hughes A. Montfort W. Dodds H. Wasley(Goal umpire) Centre Row: W. Cecil (Secretary) R. Towler D. McDowell P. Adamson (Captain and Coach) Dr E. P. Cordner (President) F. LeGassick G. Coventry G. Driver Front Row: D. Hall E. White N. Brooks R. Sherriff E. McDowell J. Elygreensborough football club, premiers 1952

School Council, Members of Staff, Magazine Committee, List of Full Course Students 1938, Full Course Commercial Students, Editorial, Personal Column, Obituary - Roy S. Hall - F. J. Martell, S.M.B Old Boys' Association, The Literary Society, Centenary Jottings, Fumes from the Lab, Broken Hill, News from Papua, Sidelights on the B.H.P. Cadet Training Scheme, Arts & Crafts Gossip, Sport, Commercial Notes, The Junior Techs, Junior Technical SportingBlack soft covered magazine with yellow font, green and white images. 64 pages including advertisements. Artworks * Lino cut - By Maureen McRae * Lino Cut - By B. Delima * Lino Cut - By Bessie Martin * The dog you's like to kick - By Gordon Yorke * Harry - By Ernest Gribble * Digger - By Ernest Gribble * Lino cut - By Gordon Yorke * Our little girl - By Dorothy Woolcock * Miss W - By Ernest Gribble * Joan - By Ernest Gribble * Roma - By Gladys Bilney * Doing art for t'arts sake - By Gilda Gude * Una - By Dorothy Woolcock * My Bill - By Dorothy Woolcock * The Sec. - By Ernest Gribble * Hassell - By Dorothy Woolcock * Chief Engineer - By Dorothy Woolcock * Rusty - By Ernest Gribble * Lino Cut - By Jeff Wilkinson * Dick - By Dorothy Woolcock * Goosey - By Ernest Gribble * Pen Drawing - By Dorothy Woolcock * Parking 1 - By Max Coward * Miss King - By Dorothy Woolcock * Goal Umpire - By Ernest Gribble * To Prep Girls - Joe - By Ernest Gribble * Dreamy Dolan - By Ernest Gribble * Lino Cut - By Max Coward * Norma - By Dorothy Woolcock * Lino Cut - By A. Janetski * Dorothy - By Patsy Walsh * Jean - By Dorothy Woolcock * Lino Cut - By Joy Martin * Lino Cut - By Max Coward and A.2., * Ben - By Bob McHutchison * Polly - By Ernest Gribble * Dobber - By Ernest Gribble * Francies - By Ernest Gribble * Ad a line not a bite - By Dorothy Woolcock * Dulcie - By Dorothy Woolcock * Joan - By Ernest Gribble * Kitty - By Bob McHutchison * Stumpy - By Elva Brimacombe * Pegleg - By Dorothy Woolcock * Fat - By Gladys Bilney * Dawn - By Dorothy Woolcock * Joy - By Ernest Gribble * Nipper - By Ernest Gribble * Mac - By Ernest Gribble * Puss - By Bob McHutchison * Tinted Lino Cut - By W. Edward * Lino Cut by G.Day ballarat school of mines, magazine, maureen mcrae, b. delima, j. woolcock, herbert j. trevenan, n. palmer, olwyn williams, gordon yorke, bob mchutchinson, w. edward, keith heriot, sylvia wyres, jeff wilkinson, peter richards, d. gordon, f. morris, mr proctor, ernest gribble, dr. j. r. pound, muriel boyd, george downing, roy s. hall, f. j. martell, d. v. shore, ken wilkie, eoin macdonald, g. berriman, dorothy woolcock, russell h. s. ewins, v. e. greenhalgh, max coward, shelia moss, frank t. jelbart, neil crouch, graham white, mr cornell, francis hollioke, k. vaughan, david j. jelbart, arthur g. veale, bill walters, richard menhennett, james redford, w. monteith, mr hillman, john t. graham, james w. thomas, keith. walter, james m. martin, lyle s. dimsey, jean birch, margaret turner, lesley stapleton, marjorie day, una kersey, jean lonie, coral robertson, norma rowe, jean bridges, jean cox, a. janetski, d. ditchfield, j. harrison, gladys james, j. brimacombe, sheila moss, r. mathews, joy martin, joan ellsworth, e. salter, a. spence, m. may, f. coulson, i. clow, h. tonkin, l. taylor, s. harris, k. gingell, g. jones, william t. paterson, f. harland, w. harrison, j. pike, a. mcmillan, m. lee, e. mccann, j. harris, a. clack, f. osborne, e. stephens, s. nicol, d. eltringham, j. hosie, v. burt, w. rowe, wm. c. edward, j. donald, m. cox, n. dalton, gladys bilney, gilda gude, patsy walsh, elva brimacombe, g. day, francis hollyoake, centenary, betty brown, alan nye, victor greenhalgh, alan gilpin, george edward, e.h. schache, john dulfer, max bayley, eric rumpff, henry kum yuen, fred j. martell, old boys' association, literary society, j.a. wilkie, cyril callister, g. yorke, broken hill, papua, e. macdonald, j. wilkinson, bhp cadet training scheme, g.r. crouch, salt lake city, utah, photography, photographic class, r.h.e. ewins, f. jelbart, n. crouch, g. white, f. hollioake, p. richards, d. jelbart, a. veale, w. walters, e. gribble, r. mchutchison, r. menhennett, i. redford, k. heriot, j. graham, j. thomas, r. ewins, k. waller, j. martin, j. king, bena lamb, j. birch, m. turner, l. stapleton, m. day, u. kersey, j. lonie, c. robertson, n. rowe, j. bridges, m. mcrae, o. williams, j. cox, g. james, s. moss, b. martin, junior technical school old boys' association, des marks, cornell's little liver pills, ballarat wattle tea rooms, the modern dairy

A team photograph of the 1955 Australian Rules Football team from the Greensborough Football Club. Includes players and support staff. This photograph shows all those involved with the Greensborough Football Club in the 1955 Premiership season.Black and white photograph of the Greensborough Football Club Australian Rules Football team, premiers in the Diamond Valley Football League in 1955. Includes players and support team. Mounted on brown card.Greensborough Football Club. Premiers Diamond Valley Football League. Season 1955. Team members: D. Wickes, J. Richards Senior Committee, K. Orr (Assistant Secretary), K. Gillespie (Trainer), F. Marr Committee, C. Cooke (Trainer), W. Connell, Committee, R. Harris, Committee, J. Glare, Committee, A. Mitchell, J. Dudgell, Committee, H.Cockbill (Vice President), T. Hope (Vice President), D. Hall, J. Richards, D. Williams, L. Weidlich, E. McDowell, J. R. Foard (Treasurer), J. Joules Committee, R. Tooth (Honorary Secretary), H. Richmond (Vice President), P. Abbott, Dr. A. J. Stubley, G. Brasier, R. Towler, D. Bell, R. Ormsby, T. Partington, D. McDowell, I. Foard, R. Skals, A. Montfort (Committee), R. Bell (Goal Umpire), F. Hill, F. LeGassick, P. Adamson, F. Anderson (Captain and Coach), Dr. E. P. Cordner (President), D. Rogers (Vice Captain), G. Coventry, F. Green, N. Brooks, H. Arrowsmith (Boundary Umpire).greensborough football club, premiers 1955, doug hall

Death notice and tributes - Ringwood Mail, January 30, 1941.The residents of Ringwood and district were shocked when the news came through of the tragic and sudden death of Fireman Jack Wilkins of Warrandyte Road Ringwood, while working on a fire at the Cooper Case Company's mill in White Horse road, Ringwood, during the early hours of Sunday morning. He was found by his comrades in a state of collapse after winding up the hose, and died almost immediately ... Fireman Wilkins joined up with the Ringwood Fire Brigade at its inception in March, 1926, as part time fireman, and has been with the brigade ever since ... A carpenter and builder by trade, he has built many homes in the Ringwood district. One of his hobbies was his garden. He was an expert grower of dahlias, and exhibited successfully in many shows. He was a member of the M.U.I.O.O.F., and was keenly interested in sport. He played cricket right up to last year with the Ringwood Cricket Club, and captained the C Grade team for years ... He was also keenly interested in football, and for a number of years officiated as goal umpire in the Ringwood District Football League. He is survived by a wife and six children. Tributes include Jay (Jack), dearly loved husband of Alice Marion, loving father of Walter (A.I.F.), Allan, Winnie, Ronald (deceased), Margaret, William and Edward ... Youngest son of John B. and the late Mrs. M. Wilkins ... Loved brother of Olive and Bess (Mrs. B. Anderson, Mildura) ... Loved brother of Henry, Arthur and Lil Wilkins ... Loved brother of Field and Florrie Wilkins ... Loved brother of Violet and Bob ... Loved brother of Myrtle and Jack.

The Potosi was built in Scotland in 1873 by John Elder and Co.It was a cargo/passenger iron screw steamer and sailed from 1880-1887 under the Orient Line Australia service. Samuel James Lynn was born in 1865 in Coleraine, Northern Ireland. Sam left his home in Coleraine in 1883 at the age of 17. (More information in O.D.H.S. newsletter No. 91 September, 2012 by Margaret Hollands) Samuel Lynn was a well-known Orbost pioneer. Ho owned much property throughout the district , bred Clydesdale horses and fattened about 600 cattle. He was in great demand as a judge of both cattle and horses at agricultural shows in Victoria and interstate. He was a shire councillor for 30 years and president several times. He took a great interest in the sporting clubs of the town and played cricket until late in life. He was goal umpire for the local football team for many years, judged for the Orbost Racing Club and was the first president of the Orbost Bowls Club. He was also a member of the first municipal band. A paper passenger's contract ticket for Samuel Lynn on the Steam Ship Potosi from Royal Albert Dock, Liverpool, United Kingdom to Melbourne, Australia. It is white with black print and hand-written details.front - signed "Samuel Lynn"lynn-samuel potosi-steamship

Yarra Valley Hyundai presentation to Carlton B&F winner 1997A perpetual Trophy presented by a major sponsor Hyundai in the guise of "TOM ALVIN PERPETUAL TROPHY". In 1997 it was presented to Craig Bradley Carlton Best & Fairest winner 1997. Career : 1986 - 2002 Debut : Round 1, 1986 vs Hawthorn, aged 22 years, 159 days Carlton Player No. 931 Games : 375 Goals : 247 Last Game : Round 19, 2002 vs Port Adelaide, aged 38 years, 291 days Guernsey No. 21 Height : 182 cm (5 ft. 11 in.) Weight : 81 kg (12 stone, 11 lbs.) DOB : 23 October, 1963 Premiership Player 1987, 1995 Carlton Legend Carlton Hall of Fame (1995) Best and Fairest 1986, 1988, 1993 All Australian 1986, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997 Captain 1998-2002 Team of the Century: Wing International Rules Series vs Ireland : 2000, 2001 (captain), 2002 Off the field, Craig Bradley was a somewhat quiet, unassuming character who never hungered for the spotlight. But when the umpire’s whistle blew for a game of Australian football, he became a consummate professional whose outstanding ball-winning ability, accurate disposal, punishing non-stop running and longevity in the game made him one of the all-time greats. “Braddles” captained the Blues for three years, won two AFL Premierships, and picked up almost every possible honour in a stellar career that spanned 17 seasons and a record 375 games for the Carlton Football Club. He began his football journey at Pooraka in outer-suburban Adelaide, where his father was coach of the Under-19 team. Craig was a stand-out junior footballer, and in 1981 he was recruited by SANFL club Port Adelaide. At the same time, Essendon also made a big pitch for his signature. The Bombers were very intent on getting him to Windy Hill, but Bradley wasn’t then ready to make the big move interstate. Essendon redoubled their efforts after Bradley’s sensational debut year for Port Adelaide, which culminated in the Magpies’ 51-point demolition of Glenelg in the Grand Final. Playing on a wing, but roaming the length of the ground, 17 year-old Bradley was one of his team’s best. He followed up by winning Port’s Best and Fairest in 1982, before departing for England later that year, as a member of the Australian Under-19 cricket team. Cricket was Braddles’ other great sporting passion, and he would eventually play two Sheffield Shield games each for South Australia and Victoria, before giving the game away to further his football ambitions. Because of his cricketing commitments, Bradley missed most of the 1983 pre-season with Port, but it made little difference, because he had another dominant season for the Magpies and was named All Australian for the first time. Two more Port Adelaide Best and Fairests followed in 1984 and '85 – with the latter complemented by All Australian honours again. In that year of 1985, four South Australians were named as All Australians; Bradley, Stephen Kernahan, Peter Motley and John Platten – and to the chagrin and envy of every other VFL club (especially Essendon) the first three all signed to play with Carlton. In the following year that trio of stars took to VFL football like they were born to it, and a time of bubbling confidence began for the Old Dark Navy Blues. Braddles wasted little time in announcing his arrival into the upper echelons of our national game by playing in the 1986 Grand Final in his debut season at Princes Park; the same year he won his first Carlton Best and Fairest award in a tie with Wayne Johnston. The Blues lost heavily to Hawthorn on Grand Final day, but twelve months later bounced back to snatch the 1987 flag from the Hawks in Bradley’s 47th senior match. By then, he was already a budding champion whose amazing stamina was too much for almost every opponent. He simply ran his taggers into the ground, and he was as effective in the last minutes of a game as he was at the start. He won two more Carlton Best and Fairest awards in 1988 and 1993, and by the end of his superb career had been an All Australian six times. Aged 32, he picked up his second Premiership winner’s medallion in 1995 when the unstoppable Kernahan-led Blues demolished Geelong in a one-sided Grand Final, but those who thought he might retire after that triumph were right off the mark. He still had his zip, his footy smarts and his brilliant foot skills, and he had transformed himself from a purely attacking weapon into an equally-effective sweeper across half-back. And to cap off a memorable season, he became one of only a handful of players to be inducted into the Carlton Hall of Fame while still playing out their career. In 1997, at the age of 34, Bradley won the Sunday Age Footballer of the Year award. ”It’s not the end of the world when you reach 30,” he said in a blunt response to those who kept asking how long he intended going on – to his considerable annoyance. After being named All Australian yet again that year, he answered all those sorts of questions when he was appointed captain of his beloved Blues in 1998 – after the retirement of his great mate ‘Sticks’ Kernahan. Braddles led the Blues into another Grand Final in 1999, but the Wayne Carey-inspired Kangaroos proved just too good. Further indication of Craig Bradley’s enduring ability was his record in the often controversial and passionately-contested International Rules Series against Ireland. He first played for his country in 1984, and was recalled again in 2000. He was appointed captain of Australia in 2001, and played a fourth round of matches in 2002 at the age of 38 – a truly amazing achievement. In the millennium year of 2000, the honours kept rolling in for Braddles when he was included in both Carlton and Port Adelaide’s Team of the Century. In turn this raised the usual debate over why he had never won the game’s most prestigious individual award, the Brownlow Medal. The answer was apparently found when former field umpire Peter Cameron was interviewed, and he revealed that during most games, Bradley regularly back-chatted the men with the whistle. “He’s in the umpire’s ear all the time,’ said Cameron. By circumstance, Braddles wore his iconic number 21 guernsey for the last time against Port Adelaide at Princes Park in round 19, 2002. Carlton lost the match by 9 points, and Bradley suffered broken ribs and a punctured lung in a heavy collision. Even so, he was an almost unanimous choice as Best on Ground and was given three Brownlow Medal votes by the umpires. A few weeks later, Bradley’s farewell was typical of his nature. There was no big press conference, no stage-managed extravaganza. Instead, he issued a written statement through the AFL that caught everyone – including the Carlton Football Club by complete surprise. It read (in part); I have many people to thank and will do so in the coming weeks. I would however like to thank the Carlton Football Club and the Port Adelaide Football Club for many wonderful times and for their influence in helping to shape my life. To leave the game with a bit left in the tank and in good personal form makes me feel good. Since the foundation of the VFL in 1897, only three men (Michael Tuck, Kevin Bartlett and Simon Madden) have played more senior games than Craig Edwin Bradley of Carlton. A true Blue champion, he is one of only ten official Carlton Legends, and in 2006 was Carlton’s 17th inductee into the AFL Hall of Fame. In October 2006, it was announced that Bradley would return to the club for season 2007 as an assistant to senior coach Brett Ratten – a role he filled with the same intensity as he showed on the field. Bradley holds the club record for most career disposals, kicks, handballs, & Brownlow votes with totals of 8776, 5876, 2900 & 144 respectively.Pewter MugTOM ALVIN PERPETUAL TROPHY Presented Latrobe Valley Hyundai Best & Donated 1997 Craig Bradley

Dinner to Mr H R Clover player Career : 1920-24, 1926-31 Debut : Round 2, 1920 vs. Richmond, aged 25 years, 46 days Carlton Player No. 346 Games : 147 Goals : 396 Guernsey No. 1 Last Game : Semi Final, 1931 vs. Collingwood, aged 36 years, 180 days Height : 185 cm (6 ft. 1 in.) Weight : 86.5 kg (13 stone, 9 lbs.) DOB : 20 March, 1895 League Leading Goalkicker: 1922 Leading Goalkicker: 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1926, 1928 Best and Fairest: 1929 Captain Coach: 1922-1924, 1927 Champion of the Colony: 1921 VFL AFL Hall of Fame Carlton Hall of Fame Team of the Century President: 1956-57 Vice President: 1932, 1935-54 Club Secretary: 1925-26 Horace “Horrie” Clover was Carlton’s star centre half-forward of the 1920’s; a high flying, long-kicking champion who enjoyed a stellar career with the Old Dark Navy Blues, then went on to be one of our longest-serving administrators. But even before he took the field for Carlton, Clover had to conquer the odds on the battlefields of France in World War 1. From Maryborough in central Victoria, Horrie enlisted in the 1st AIF in September 1915. After basic training, he embarked for France with reinforcements for the 7th Battalion in January of 1916. Soon pitched into the horrors of trench warfare, he fought and survived until September of that year, when he was transferred to a machine gun company and promoted to the rank of Corporal. On Christmas day, 1916, Horrie was struck down with acute appendicitis. He was evacuated to a field hospital for emergency surgery, where the doctors discovered that his appendix was gangrenous and that his life was in danger. He was immediately transferred to London for specialist treatment, and months of recuperation. Pronounced unfit for further front-line service, he was repatriated back to Australia in August 1917, and honourably discharged in May of the following year – six months before the Armistice. Having recovered, and keen to have a crack at senior football, Clover trained with Richmond and Melbourne before Carlton gave him an opportunity at VFL level. And how he delivered! In his first match in 1920 – ironically, against Richmond - he kicked four goals from centre half-forward, and hit the post three times! By the end of his first season at Princes Park, Clover was one of Carlton’s drawcards. Former Australian Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies was just one of the many Carlton fans who were captivated; “he was the most artistic of high marks, unforgettable at half-forward,” said Menzies. Horrie could kick a football, too. A balanced, deceptively quick mover, he was a glorious running drop-kick for goal. Playing against Richmond again at Princes Park in July, 1921, he let fly with a monster kick that was later measured at 86.26 metres – that’s 94 yards, 2 feet in imperial terms! And there are numerous other instances where he roosted the ball more than 70 metres. In round 12 of 1921, he slotted 13 goals in a game against St Kilda; a club record which still stands today. The Blues made the finals in third place in 1921 and battled through to meet Richmond for the Premiership. Then the heavens above the MCG opened up on the day before the decider, turning the ground into a quagmire. In what was to be Clover’s only Grand Final appearance, Richmond won a slogging, mauling contest by four points. While Premiership glory eluded him, Horrie was Carlton’s top goalkicker in three of his first four seasons, including 1922, where his total of 58 was the competition’s best. He was appointed captain of the Blues that same year, and in 1923 took on the dual role of captain-coach. Over 1924 / 1925, he suffered more debilitating illness that prevented him from playing all season. Unable to pull on his football boots, he took on the job of Club Secretary, and continued in that position even after returning to the field in 1926. When he did eventually resume, he formed a new, powerful Carlton forward set-up with a young Harry “Soapy” Vallence at full-forward. Twice more – in 1926 and 1928, Clover’s brilliance and accuracy in front of goal saw him at the top of Carlton’s goal-kicking, and in 1929 – aged 34, he was honoured with the captaincy of Victoria against WA in his ninth and final game in the Big Vee. show_image.php?id=205 Horrie Clover retired as a player in 1931 after 147 games. His total of 396 goals is still ranked fifth best in Carlton’s proud history (only displaced for fourth when Brendan Fevola broke through in 2007/2008) – and it should be remembered that all but a handful of his games were played at centre half-forward, not in the goal square. In 1932 he was elected Vice-President of the Carlton Football Club, but retired after one year. In February 1935 on learning of Terry Ogden's the serious illness, Clover and Newton Chandler offered their services for a blood transfusion for the club's wing man. After a blood test Chandler's blood was accepted. However, Ogden passed away the next month. Clover stood again in 1935, was elected – and spent twenty unbroken years serving his beloved Blues. He even took on the Presidency in 1956, aged 60, and was as vigorous and determined as ever in his two years in the job. Carlton Football Club mourned deeply when Horrie Clover passed away on the first day of January, 1984. Three years later, he was among the first to be inducted into the Carlton Hall of Fame. Testament to his stature in the game as a whole, he was elected to the AFL Hall of Fame in 1996; and May 2000 saw him named as one of four emergencies in Carlton’s Team of the Century. A champion in every sense of the word, he spent 37 years of his remarkable life at Princes Park. Footnote The Argus published an article on Maryborough, April 12 1930, it said; "Clover has been the leading half-forward in League ranks for some time. It takes a specialist to fill the position capably, and the Carisbrook man does this admirably. Like good wine he has improved with age, and besides being one of the greatest half forwards that has ever appeared on a football field, he is about the best all round kicker that has ever played the game. He excells in punting, drop, and place kicking. He is a great marksman and a splendid exponent, one of the greatest the district has produced, besides being a fair cricketer also." When Clover returned to football in 1926, The Argus mentioned that they thought it was the first time a member of the Permit and Umpire Committee had played in a League game. 13 GOAL AWARD Round 12, 1921 At the Carlton AGM held on Monday 27 February 1922, Horrie Clover "was presented with ball used on the occasion, the St.Kilda club having generously donated it to the Carlton officials, who had it mounted for the purpose." (Age February 22 1922) 1922 The Art Of Forward Play Horrie wrote an article for the Sporting Globe August 30 p7 To read click here> http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article184798404 1928 Idol of Carlton Crowds - Australia's Best Centre Half Forward The Sporting Globe's football writer W. S. "Jumbo" Sharland writes about Horrie Clover To read click here> http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article183958222 Footballer Who Gambles With Death. Daily Pictorial (Sydney) article about Horrie. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article246129350 1932 Jack Worrall on Clover Writing for the Australasian September 03 p7; "Take Horrie Clover as an example, a real specialist, one of the best forwards the game has seen, and the best all-round kick that has ever come under my purview. For that reason he deserves a line to himself. He played the game like a sportsman, was a glorious high mark, and could cover a great distance by either drop, punt, or place kick - a remarkable accomplishment. Many players have been notable kicks in two aspects of the game, yet none have equalled Clover in the three branches. His nearest rival as an all-round kick, though not quite as certain in his efforts, was Frank Caine, of Carlton, who, like Clover, also hailed from the country." 1933 Coming Football Champion Melbourne, Saturday A special warning was issued to the Victorian Football League delegates last night by Mr. D. H. Crone, a Carlton delegate, not to angle for a certain "coming" champion that the Carlton Club had signed up that day. At first delegates were a little puzzled at the statement, but when it was explained that Horrie Clover, former champion half-forward, had that day become the father of of a son they burst into sustained laughter. It was only by persistent ringing of the bell by the chairman that order was restored. (News (Adelaide) May 20 1933 p3) 1933 - The Place Kick A letter to The Argus via the Huon Times about the lack of place kicking expertise in the VFL. The writer mentions that he got Horrie to play football in Maryborough after he saw the then 15 y.o. place kick a ball 63 yards, and later with Carlton, Clover place kicked 8 goals in one match. To read click here> http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137253000 Milestones 50 Games: Round 1, 1923 vs Fitzroy 100 Games: Round 18, 1927 vs St Kilda 100 Goals: Round 18, 1921 vs Collingwood 200 Goals: Round 3, 1924 vs St Kilda 300 Goals: Round 11, 1928 vs Geelong Links Articles: The Magical 'Three Goal Average' | A Letter From Horrie | Our Flagless Greats Blueseum: Stat Shot for Horrie Clover | Career Breakdown | Clover's big goals hauls | Clover's Blueseum Image Gallery A dinner to celebrate career Horrie Clover in 1957Four Page Program & Menu 1927