The ‘beginnings’ of YALLOURN HOCKEY CLUB by Veronica Lacey – 1.3.2017
The following article is a brief account of Yallourn Hockey Club which includes available information up to approximately 1984.
The Yallourn Hockey Club was formed in 1956 as a result of the Morwell “Golds” Hockey team (a High School team led by teacher, Mr. Nicholls) resolving to form an independent team and affiliate with the Traralgon Women’s Hockey Association (later becoming the Latrobe Valley Women’s Hockey Association (LVWHA).
Note: The minutes of the Inaugural meeting and following meetings are supplied.
• Life Members of the Club:
Mr. Ted Polkinghorne (1965), Veronica Lacey and Janice Houston (1978)
• Winners of many L.V. Premierships:
“A” Grade Premierships: 1957, 1972,1975, 1977,1978,1979,1980,1981 &1983
“B” Grade Premierships: 1976, 1978,1979
“C” Grade Premierships: 1976, 1979
The Yallourn Town Advisory Council held a Civic Reception for the Club in 1979 in honour of winning all three Premierships, presenting all players with an individual pennant.
• Yallourn players featured in LVWHA Best & Fairest Awards:
The first “A” Grade winner was star winger Pat Middlemiss in 1969, Val Harrigan, Judy Mitchell, Veronica Lacey, Bev Malpass, Jill Williams (Dolphin), Leonie Baxter, Julie Smith (Lacey)
• LVWHA Lightning Premierships:
“A” Grade: 1963,1964,1969,1978 1979,1981,1982 &1983
“B” Grade: 1962,1964,1978,1980 &1982
“C” Grade: 1982
Yallourn regularly entered a team in the Victorian Country Week, winning “C” Grade in 1959, until LVWHA teams were entered.
Many Yallourn players were selected for LVWH Association teams to compete in Country Week, Country Carnival, Inter-Zone Championships and Junior and Senior State & Country teams.
Apart from long term coach, Ted Polkinghorne, Veronica Lacey and Janice Houston held coaching and selectors positions for LV teams.
The Yallourn team were Runners-up to Geelong in the prestigious 1983 Victory Cup losing 1-0.
• Yallourn members have been regulars on the Latrobe Valley Association’s list of Office-Bearers.
Association Presidents include Mr. Ted Polkinghorne (‘65/66), Janice McHenry (‘61), Lesley Grebe (72/73), Anne Stewart (78/79) and Di Kennedy (?).
Association Secretary: Veronica Lacey (72-74 & 80-83), Julie Lacey (?)
Association Treasurer: Veronica Lacey (72-79), Julie Lacey (?)
Match Secretary: Ted Polkinghorne (66-75), Gordon & Anne Stewart (76-80), Dianne Kennedy
Umpires’ Convenor: Gordon Stewart (81-83)
Victorian Country Week Secretary: Veronica Lacey (’82 &83)
• LVWHA Life Members: Mr. Ted Polkinghorne (1967), Veronica Lacey (1976), Gordon Stewart, Janice Houston (1984) and Julie Smith (Lacey)
More details of teams, players and dates will be posted when these can be confirmed by minutes or photos, however at the moment I can only confirm up to 1984.
YALLOURN HOCKEY CLUB
Minutes of the Inaugural Meeting of Morwell Golds Hockey Team.
Held 9th November 1955 in Room 16, Yallourn High School.
Mr. Nicholls as Convenor in the chair.
PRESENT:
Mr. Nicholls, Misses B. Gust, L. Gust, L. Gunn, M. Harry, R. Phillpot, A. Van der horst,
C. King, J. Rust, C. Stitson, O. Maconichie, J. Wallace, E. McConnell, S. McConnell, E. McLaren
After declaring the meeting open, Mr. Nicholls explained that the meeting was called to discuss the future of the Morwell “Golds” Hockey Team in respect to the 1956 season.
It was then moved by B. Gust and seconded by E. McLaren, that….”This meeting of members of the Morwell “Golds” Hockey Team of 1955 resolve to form an independent hockey club and to apply for affiliation with the Traralgon Women’s Hockey Association for 1956 season.”
The motion was carried.
It was moved by J. Rust and seconded by C. King that the membership shall at present, be open only to those who were regular playing members of the Morwell “Golds” Hockey team of the 1955 season and that the question of the admission of additional members be considered at the next General Meeting.
This motion was carried.
Moved by B. Gust and seconded E. McLaren, that “A President and Secretary be elected pro-tem” Officers for 1956 to be elected at an “Annual General Meeting.”
Election of President:
Nominations were then called for, for a President. They were as follows:
B. Gust - nominated by L. Gust, seconded by E. McLaren
E. McLaren - nominated by B. Gust, seconded by S. McConnell
S. McConnell - nominated by E. McLaren, seconded by L. Gunn
As a result of the subsequent ballot, B. Gust was declared elected and took the chair and called for nominations for Secretary.
Election of Secretary:
Nominations were as follows-
A. Van der Horst - nominated by R. Phillpot, seconded by C. King
E. McLaren - nominated by J. Wallace, seconded by J. Rust
S. McConnell - nominated by E. McLaren, seconded by O. Maconichie
As a result of the election which followed, E. McLaren was declared elected.
GENERAL BUSINESS:
It was moved by L. Gust, seconded by J. Wallace, that the Annual General Meeting be held not later than March 1956.
This was carried.
It was moved by R. Phillpot, seconded by J. Wallace, that the President and Secretary prepare a draft Constitution for consideration at the next General Meeting.
This was carried.
It was also left to the President and Secretary to make inquiries for a ground on which to play.
The meeting was closed at 12:45pm.
Signed: E. McLaren (tem.sec)
B. Gust (President)
To read the Minutes of the General Meeting of the Yallourn Blues Hockey Club - March 1956 - please click on the title above and then click the pdf link below.