Colbinabbin 1975 footy flag its first for 25 years
Amid high excitement among supporters and former players, Colbinabbin defeated Rushworth at Toolleen to win the club’s first premiership since 1950, the cup accepted by captain-coach Jeff McCubbery and club president Mick Morgan. The score showed a comfortable win 17-15 to 10-13, after leading by 41 points at the final change. Wayne Egan with six goals for Colbo, Horne with five for the Tigers were familiar figures throughout the season.
Colbo had good players in McCubbery, Ken Wilson, Len Rodda, Paul Tuohey, Bill Johnson, Egan, John McEvoy and Brendan Tuohey. For Rushworth, Horne, Neville Clarke, Glen Heily, Maurice Clarke, John Bianco, Mark Mackinder, Bill Barlow and David Perry did best. Colbo defeated Rushworth three times during the season, the Tigers having a big win in the opening round.
Prior to the game, John Lambden received the Cheatley Medal for HDFL’s best and fairest player.
Colbo missed the Seconds premiership by kicking 1-6 in the final quarter, down 8-12 to Elmore’s 11-8. Glen Rathjen, Trevor Cheatley, John Brown, Gerard Stewart, G. Maddern and Bob McLean were mentioned.
Court
Magistrate Curtain sided with Wildlife Officer Crosier, who had found wild ducks in a local man’s freezer. The surprise prosecution was outside duck season, despite the ducks having been shot in season. The fine was $15, a dollar for each duck! Another man was fined for use of a gill net in a channel.
Shire of Waranga
The vacancy representing North East Riding was filled by Alex McGonnel of Stanhope, a former Scot and a herd tester.
A group of ratepayers were planning to meet outside the chamber during a Council meeting to show their concern at rising Shire rates.
Park management at Rushworth had lapsed, so Councillor Jacobson chaired a meeting which elected a new Board of E. Gleeson, M. Hitchcock, A. Raglus, W. Barlow, A. Geisler, J. O’Donnell, Miss J. Lambden and Miss P. Wootton. A new constitution was in preparation.
The Shire was the sponsor of a Stop Smoking Course in Stanhope, within Anti-Cancer Week.
Schools
Rushworth Primary school sports were a cause for high excitement, twelve students from grades 1 and 2 winning races. Sports champs were Wendy Hawking, Sue Robbins and Darren Clarke. Goulburn House won out from Murray and Campaspe.
Some Grade 5 and 6 pupils were to attend Woodburn camp, near Yea.
With holidays looming all classes had a clean-up, so that cleaners could polish the floors.
Community
Announced as a Queen’s Guide at Stanhope was Debra Lavery. New Guides were Marlene Harrison, Wendy Lucas and Sharon Ramadge. Badges were awarded to Sherrie Gemmill, Helen Linford and Shirley Brisbane. Brownies obtaining badges were Fiona Malins, Joan Young, Michelle Norman, Wendy Sutton, Kaye Linford, Susan Lucas, Judy Hepburn, Caroline Legge, Tracey Lloyd, Susan Marks and Darlene Grinter.
Rushworth Guide and Scout hall at the park received assistance from the Lions Club.
People
Ian Borger opened a farm supplies store in High Street building previously owned by Younghusband Ltd. The shop was shared with shoe retailer, Dick O’Donnell.
Marie Barlow of Phillips Street crossed the road to the Catholic church to marry Harry Dobson of Charlton, ahead of a reception in the Shire Hall.
The death of Stella Patterson was reported from Stanhope. From Murchison there was the passing of Laurence Moroney.
Football
Murchison closed the fixtured season beating Ardmona 14-15 to 13-14, then lost the semi-final in a surprise to Girgarre.
Preliminary final day had mixed fortunes for the Tigers. The long list of injured players extended when Chris Hageman suffered a badly cut head, and Thirds player Chris Geisler broke his collarbone. This news took the edge off the Tiger Seniors win over Mount Pleasant at Elmore. Injuries prompted the inclusion of retired veteran Mal McLeod as 19th man, and he took the ground in the last quarter in the thrilling 3-point win, 10-18 to 10-15. Mark Mackinder played his first match for several weeks after a foot injury. Alec Horne kicked three goals for Rushworth, Nick Nihill with three for Mounts.
Colbo Seconds had no trouble in their preliminary final against Rushworth, who finished with 16 players. 15-24 to Colbo with Trevor Johnson best, 4-5 to Rushworth with Denis Ogden kept busy and named best at full-back.
Rushworth counted club best and fairest votes before the finals, which made no sense to me. Best and fairest was Mark Mackinder, with John Lambden runner-up. Trevor Hawking was named Most Improved, Bill Barlow Most Consistent, Ian Williams Best Utility, and leading goal-kicker Mick O’Sullivan. Being paid to play, Alec Horne and Mick were ineligible for best and fairest votes, which was equally strange.
Barry Thompson finished ahead of Geoff Hawking to win the Seconds best and fairest. Wayne Hageman was Most Consistent, Rob Raglus was awarded for most umpires’ votes, Malcolm McLean was Most Improved and Rob Hageman Best First-Year player. Geoff Hawking was leading goal-kicker.
In the Thirds, Mal Cruz took the Best and Fairest ahead of Chris Geisler, Greg Cruz got most votes from umpires, and Craig Beck was named Most Consistent. Other trophies went to Anthony Fullarton (Best Utility), Darryl Roberts (Most Improved), Peter Schade (Most Courageous and leading goal-kicker), Tim Barlow (Best Team Man), Wayne Raglus (Most Vigorous) and Allan Hawking (Most Attentive at Training). (Biggest smile went to the trophy supplier!)
There were 50 people at a meeting of Stanhope Football Club to debate a suggestion to apply to join the Heathcote League. The meeting was adjourned without a decision.
Other sports
Mount Pleasant took the A-grade netball flag by just one goal from Rushworth. Doing well were Joanne Hawking and Maureen O’Sullivan, who had finished runner-up in the League best and fairest award. Mounts beat Colbo to win B-grade, and also won C-grade.
Reaching championship finals at Rushworth golf were Graham Spence, Graham Muir, David Heily and Peter Meagher (A-Grade), Aub Geisler, Norm Geisler, Ray Cheatley and Ross Coyle (B-Grade), Ralph Barlow, Max Richards and Gordon Raglus (C-grade) and Rob Borger, Bill Barlow and Noel Perry (D-grade).
Scoring a remarkable round of 79 was 79-year-old Sam Jessup of Rushworth.
