My memory of basketball in Yallourn. This was around mid 1940s when we first had the Youth Club basketball teams. The games were played on asphalt courts, which were where the Fire Station and Bus terminal were later built. Our next venue was on the ovals area, right up at the back of the tennis courts, over the road from the swimming pool. There were no facilities, like toilets, change rooms, shelters – oh so primitive in comparison with today’s facilities - still we all enjoyed our sport. We played teams from Brown Coal Mine – now Yallourn North, Moe, 2 teams from Yallourn –whites & blues. Mr Graham & Mr Lobley, provided some transport for us, or we road our push bikes – not many cars available then. These are some of the girls who played: Lexie & Cath Hayes, Barbara & Kath O’Brien, Joan & Bobbie O,Bern, Mavis & Vera Webb, June Mould, Wilma Irving, Peggy Simcoe, Norma Byron, Margaret McWilliams. There may be others that I have forgotten, others can add to this. Towards the end of our basketball, a Mrs Matthews from Newborough came along as our coach and umpire. There are some photos in the Yallourn Book.
One year there was a big basketball carnival held on the football ovals, teams from all around the district came to play, someone had marked out the courts on the oval, don’t remember who. I can remember that there was a downpour just as the finals were being played, can’t even remember who won, but, I know that Mum had a hire car ready to take her 2 drowned basketball playing daughters home. I think there maybe some past players who may be able to fill in my blank spaces, even correct my memory.
Soon after we finished the Latrobe Valley Basketball (Net-Ball) Association was formed, this was another era in sport, much larger than the small Yallourn group. Sonja Bates (Ostlund) went on to be the organiser and hard worker for this Association.
Another point of interest, Norma Oliver (Byron) left Yallourn & moved to Queensland. During her time at the Gold Coast, she took her basketball – netball experience & knowledge with her and has been recognized by the State of Queensland with many high awards – “Lily Aust. Day Award”, Peter Beatty – Governor Award. There are other awards but just to show how Norma continued with basket ball – net ball, and still is, from the humble beginnings at Yallourn. Congratulations Norma.
This is my contribution, now someone a bit younger can follow up with the Latrobe Valley Net Ball Association.
Mavis McAllister (Webb) August 2014.