July 21st, 22nd, 23rd 2023
Sharing memories of the Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust Football legendary players, games and histories has been emotional. Everyone had stories. Some elicited smiles in telling of the early days.
In 1901 players walked from the Trust to Cunninghame (Lakes Entrance) to catch a boat to Bairnsdale to play, coming home the same way.
In 1908 an invitation to play with VFL was turned down by managers.
Beginning of dreamtime games. In 1913 an invitation came from VFL Premiers, Carlton on their way to play a game against Sydney when they were stopped due to a small pox pandemic in Sydney. The team walked to and from the ground in Cunninghame. (carltonfc.com.au)
In 1950, Ronnie Edwards kicked 43 goals, the highest number of goals in any one game in Australian Rules football in a Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust Vs. Nowa Nowa game. Andrew Rule whose father was the 18 year old ruckman in the Lake Tyers team tells this story (Siren sounds for footy legend (PDF 2.4MB)
Then the invitation from the Swifts Creek Football/Netball Club to reconnect with players and families from this time by joining in the Stories events and host a legends game slowly led to smiles along with new Sea Eagles jumpers and on the day – a very mixed team. In the spirit of the day Uncle Michael Edwards donned a Swifts Creek jumper.
At Stories of Influence 2023, interviews with Andrew Rule and Barry Switzer speak with love and loss of these days.
The elite athletes and their love of the game captured by Andrew Rule whose father played with the Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust team. Of Ronnie Edwards kicking 43 goals in one game in 1950 – still the AFL senior’s record.
Barry Switzer spoke of the Orbost club’s pride when he played with them 1951-53.
Then stories of the 1996-97 games in the Omeo League where the Lake Tyers/Nowa Nowa club was banned. Football players still have the Sea Eagle jumpers and netball players their frocks. The last coach Les Wilkinson (dec 2021) spoke with Malcolm McKinnon (2005) of the impact on community life.
Stephen Richardson, past president of the Swifts Creek Football Club acknowledges the damage of the loss to community life of having no club.
Ray Gallagher, President of the Omeo League speaks of his love of a game well played and his regret that came with generation into violence.
The Swifts Creek Football/Netball Club hosted the Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust legends game (mixed black and white) and awarded Ronnie Edwards and Les Wilkinson medals to best on in all games for the day.
While Graham Sellings a player in the LTAT/Nowa Nowa team speaks of their journey from fumbling beginnings to fitness and pride – then despair.
The Legendary Ladies interview with Marion Solomon, Maggie Wilkinson, Joanne Morgan and Mel Farnham was a surprise story that connects with hopes for the future.
As photos, articles and jumpers emerged from people’s homes the surprise was the stories of the Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust and Bairnsdale Women’s Football teams. Games at Wyndam.. photos of the joy of travelling to games…. Uncle Michael has called to say – that was a good day – what next ?