Weekly Times |
FOOTBALL club reunions are commonplace on the Queen’s Birthday long weekend, but for three clubs this week’s celebrations will hold extra significance.
While Tooborac, Tatong and Tempy-Gorya-Patchewollock no longer have an on-field presence, all three will hold reunions commemorating their clubs this weekend.
The latter will celebrate 40 years since the club recorded premierships in all three grades of senior football.
Event organiser Michael Robertson said the weekend’s festivities would be a great tribute to Tempy-Gorya-Patchewollock’s 25-year history, which ended in 1997 when the Tigers merged with Ouyen Rovers to form Ouyen United.
“We have had an unbelievable response to the event,” Robertson said.
“We have had somewhere near 200 people from as far away as Port Hedland (Western Australia) say they were coming back for the weekend, when we were only expecting 40.”
Tatong Football Club has labelled its festivities “End of an Era” after the club opted to sit out the season.
The Magpies rejected a three-way merger with Goorambat and Swanpool, proposed by local peak body AFL North East Border last year.
Tatong instead opted to join up solely with Swanpool to form the Samaria Suns Sports Club. While the new entity is expected to make an application to join the Picola and District league next season, the Tatong faithful will celebrate their 106-year history with a function at the Tatong Town Hall and a legends match.
Meanwhile, Tooborac will reminisce about its 11 Heathcote District premierships at a reunion at Tooborac on Saturday. A book detailing the club’s successful past will be launched at the event.
