Kevin Hillier
■ I love local footy because of the people involved, people like Ray O’Hara at Yarraville Seddon Eagles.
The history of the current Eagles goes back to the old Yarraville VFA club and includes Footscray District league clubs Kingsville, Seddon and Yarraville. Ray was a Kingsville junior player in the late 1950s and graduated to the reserves in the ’60s. After serving in Vietnam he came back to Kingsville and since then has been an amazing volunteer worker for the club through all its transitions. Ray has been honoured by the council, the league and the club for his enormous contribution. Last week the club ensured his contribution would be everlasting by naming the clubrooms after him. Ray is 70 but shows no signs of slowing down, judging by what I saw just a fortnight ago when we covered a Yarraville game on WYN FM. Congratulations Ray and to Yarraville Seddon Eagles for acknowledging a lifetime contribution.
■ Local footy returns to Whitten Oval this Saturday when West Footscray and Yarraville Seddon Eagles play for the inaugural Maribyrnong Cup. Maribyrnong council is backing the game as an annual event played between two WRFL teams. It’s good for local footy and it will be the 88.9 WYN FM broadcast match. It’s a financial sacrifice for West Footscray to transfer a home game but I’m sure they’ll get the support of their members and supporters who will head to Whitten Oval for a great matchday experience. Both clubs have had many great players grace Whitten Oval over the years, after beginning at local level. Rohan Smith’s 300 games (Kingsville) and Jack Collins’ 154 games and the 1954 Premiership (West Footscray) are the obvious standouts, but there are many more. The Roosters and the Eagles are genuine contenders for the Division 2 flag this year and this should be a great game to watch. What better excuse do you need to head to Whitten Oval?
■ Bob Donovan has put together a terrific book called A Rearing Stallion on the history of the Port Melbourne Colts Football Club. The Colts are having a trying year in the WRFL but their history is a rich and colourful one dating back to foundation in 1957. I’m familiar with their recent history but was fascinated to read about the club’s beginnings. Bob’s book is available from the club or through Bob at champndbob@hotmail.com. The more we can highlight the stories of local footy clubs and people, the better. Good on you, Bob.
