Weekly Times |AFTER more than a half a century doing almost every job imaginable at a country football club, Val and Adrian Pratt have called time at Ellinbank.
Val, 83, and Adrian, 86, have shared almost seven decades of their lives with the Ellinbank and District league club, and have decided, albeit reluctantly, they’ve earned a break.
Adrian, known as Adie, spent 27 years as an Ellinbank player from 1947 to 1974, and was part of their legendary flag three-peat in 1953-55.
He also doubled as a club administrator during and after his playing days, with four stints as treasurer and secretary spanning 17 years.
Val has been by her husband’s side through it all, filling spots on the canteen along with all the other odd jobs that come with being a selfless club stalwart.
The pair of Ellinbank life members received further recognition for their services to the club in 2002, with the AFL honouring each of them with 50-year volunteer service medallions.
The couple’s five children — Rhonda, Sheryl, Bruce, Alison and Linda — were all raised on a diet of football and netball. Their only son, Bruce, followed in his father’s footsteps to play 415 games for the Eagles.
“It’s been a family effort,” Adrian said.
“I’ve enjoyed the whole lot of it — I’d love to do it all again.”
