AVOCA FOOTBALL NETBALL CLUB Volume 3 DECEMBER 2023 Welcome to the End of Season Newsletter. President’s Message :P.1 150 Year Reunion :P.2 New Scoreboards :P.3 2024 Coach’s :P.4 2023 Milestones :P5 A & C Grade Premiers :P6 2023 Best & Fairest :P7 MCDFNL B & F :P8 Raffle Winners :P9 2024 Committee :P10 Child Safety :P11 Social Events :P12 Scholarship Awards :P13 Vale Kath Jolly :P14 Football Trophies :P15 Netball Trophies :P16 Sponsor Thanks :P17 2023 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Welcome to our End of Season Newsletter Can I begin by thanking everyone within the club who has contributed in any way to what has been another successful and enjoyable season where we celebrated our 150-year anniversary. Unfortunately, our season was impacted by the October 2022 floods having significant ramifications on our pre-season and first half of the year. Thanks to everyone in the way that you accepted and took on these challenges. I would like to thank our coaches, players, umpires, parents and volunteers for all the wonderful work that was done again this season and the valuable contribution you have made to the club. The highlight of the season was our A and C Grade girls breaking through for a well-deserved premiership with C Grade going back-to-back. Congratulations to Kerry and Maddy Egan and both teams on their success. Our B Grade netballers and Under 14s footballers did a great job making their respective grand finals, however fell just short on the day. Well done to all involved. It was extremely encouraging to have a number of both football and netball teams make it through to the finals which is a great result, again well done to all involved. We welcomed several new players and their families to the club this season and we hope that you have enjoyed your time at the club and continue on our journey with us. Individually, congratulations to Kodi Greenwood who took out the B Grade league netball Best and Fairest and to all our Bulldog Medal and individual trophy winners for your year. Our junior football and netball program continues to go from strength to strength and we saw some good improvements across our senior program however with more work to be done. Continued overpage. BULLDOGS BARK
2023 PRESIDENT’S REPORT Cont. Off the court and oval, the club continues to invest significantly in the upgrade of our facilities which this year included new netball lighting and the commencement of the installation of new digital scoreboards at the ground. We also thank the Avoca Community Bank Branch Bendigo Bank ($40,000) and the AFL ($25,000) for their financial contributions to the scoreboard. Combined with the club’s contribution, these investments total in excess of $110,000 and this will add to the outstanding assets and facilities we enjoy. This could not be achieved without the financial assistance of our Principal Partner Peter Jess and our amazing business partners who continue to support our club. We are extremely appreciative of the ongoing support of all our business partners. Can I also thank everyone who supported our Toyota Good for Footy Raffle which this year was again combined with our local raffle that included donations from our business partners. To raise over $5,000 through this fundraiser is an amazing achievement with this money being put back into our facilities through the acquisition of digital football and netball scoreboards. Thanks also to Toyota and the AFL for providing this fundraising opportunity to clubs. We are lucky to have a strong, united committee representing this great club and I thank you all for your continued involvement and leadership you show in the pursuit of success both on and off the court/oval. Four of our committee members will not be seeking re-election however will be staying around to assist. Thank you for your valuable contribution to the club. For those that are recommitting or joining the club in 2024, we look forward to welcoming you to the club over the coming weeks and months. Those that are moving on, thanks on behalf of all at the club for your services and we wish you well. I hope everyone enjoys and stays safe in the off-season and I wish all the very best to the incoming club executive and committee for the 2024 season and beyond. Bill Drummond President 2023 150 years Premiership Reunion A very succesfull 150th year reunion was held during the season with many returning from all over Australia. Pictured far left is Noel Jess seated, with club legend, Jim Jess, and Colin Cullen. Jim is the son of Noel who played in our 1953 Premiership Colin is the son of Bert Cullen who was also a 1953 premiership player and was the Best & Fairest Player.
F SCOREBOARDS IN 2024 The club is thrilled to announce that our proposed new digital scoreboards for the football oval and the netball court will now come to fruition and is at the building permit stage following two recent significant financial contributions towards this project. The Bendigo Community Bank Avoca, Maryborough and St Arnaud have donated $40,000 and the AFL through their SKIF funding have contributed $25,000 towards this $90,000 project. The remainder of the required funds will be provided by the club. This is HUGE news for both the club and wider community and we are so grateful to both organisations for providing these valuable funds. We are very grateful for all of the people that putchased tickets in our Toyota Raffle & Major Raffle which raised $5,250 towards this project. The digital board which will measure 4m x 3m will be made available to all organisations and functions at the Public Park and will be a great asset to both our club and users of the park. The Avoca Football Netball Club is very pleased to have the support of the Avoca Community Bank as one of our Partners. The local bank is very supportive of the local and district community supporting many organisations through grants and other avenues of support. We encourage our members to check out the Avoca Community Bank for all of your banking needs. Branches in Avoca, Maryborough and St Arnaud.
NETBALL COACHING Senior Football Coach’s for 2024 We are also pleased to confirm that Maddy and Kerry Egan have recommitted to coach our three senior grades of netball for 2024. They have both done a fantastic job with our three senior grades playing finals again with our A & C Grade girls winning the Premiership 17’s will be coached by Talia Arrowsmith. 15 Netball will be coached by Sarah Neil & Molly Arrowsmith 13 Netball will again be coached by Sarah Neil. 11 Netball will be coached by Tilly Neil. The Avoca Football Netball Club is excited to announce our coaching appointments for 2024. Zack Lubeek has been re-appointed senior football coach. Zack coached the club this season and showed great leadership both on and off the ground and has been rewarded for this together with his commitment to the club. LtoR: Cody Kirby, Zack Lubeek, Gavin Bayme, Nathan Field Zack will be supported by Cody Kirby, and after previous stints as our Under 17.5 coach’s Gavin Bayne is coaching the Reserve grade and he will be assisted by Nathan Field. Further news will be announced over the coming weeks with regards to adding to our senior playing group structure and key signings. Our junior football coach’s welcome Byron Wynd and Cam Antonio as our 17’5 coach’s. Tom Elliott retirnes as14.5s coach and we welcome Justin Dillon to the 11.5 role. Mark Blair has moved to the psosition of specialist coach ofer all of our Junior Grades. There have been a number of positive new signings over the past few weeks and Pre-Season training has already commenced on Wednesday evenings at 6pm at the Avoca Public Park NETBALL As previously announced, Kerry and Maddy Egan have been re-appointed as coach’s of A, B & C Grade netball with Talia Arrowsmith taking on 17s and Sarah Neil & Molly Arrowsmith coaching the 15’s, Sarah Neil 13’s and Tilly Neil coaching 11’s. FOOTBALL Zack Lubeek will be coaching our Senior Football in 2024 and will be assisted by Cody Kirby. will coach our Reserves Gavin Bayne and will be assisted by Nathan Field. Byron Wynd & Cam Antonio will be coachong the 17.5’s. Tom Elliott is again the 14.5 coach. Justin Dillon is the the Under 11.5 coach. Thank you to our Major Partners s The club thanks the football and netball executive for their work locking away these coaching appointments and we wish all our coaches well during the off season and we look forward to what this new era and change of focus for our club will bring.
PHOTOS 2023 - Milestones There was a large number of individual milestones in season 2023. We congratulate the following players and we thank you for your loyalty to our club. Football 650 games Trevor Field played his 650th game in 2023. 250 Games Lachlan & Riley Wardlaw both played their 250th games during the 2023 season. 200 Games Joel Howell and Noah Wardlaw played their 200th game. 150 Games Geordie Gollop and Rory Wilkinson played their 150th game. 100 Games Tommy Barber, Aidan Blair, Jaidyn Cocking, Aiden Collicoat, Jayden Humphrey, Josh Humphrey, Tom Redpath, Crew Ward, & Keith Wilkinson,played their 100th game. Netball 500 Games Colleen Drummond & Stacey Blair both played their 500th game in season 2023. 200 Games Chantelle Wardlaw played her 200th game. 100 Games Bonnie Beavis, Maddy Egan and Lyndall Thatcher played their 100th game.
TEAM PHOTOS A & C Grade Netball - 2023 Premiers Congratulations to our A & C Grade Netballers who took out the 2023 MCDFNL Premiership. It was a great effort by our girls who defeated Carisbrook in the A Grade Grand Final and Trentham in the C Grade. The B Grade girls also played in the Grand Final but went down by a solitary goal in what was a very exciting game. Our 13 & Under netball girls made it to the Preliminary Final Our 11 & Under Girls also played Finals for the third year in a row. And our 17 & Under girls also played finals and we look forward to seeing all of our young girls coming through the ranks in the coming years.
COMMUNITY BANK AVOCA First job? Club Best & Fairest Satisfy your shopping impulse and save for your first car, holiday, or whatever. You’ll learn heaps by calling us on 5465 3804 (Avoca), 5461 4384 (Maryborough), or 0448 742 059 (St Arnaud) to make an appointment to discuss your banking. The Avoca Branch has moved to its new location at 121 High St. New lighting on Netball Court Exciting news that our netball lighting upgrade was completed during the season. We thank Geoff Leblanc from Leblanc Electrical who worked into the night to install our four new LED lights that brought our courts up to playing standards under these lights. We thank the Pyrenees Shire Council who contributed $6,600 from their community grants round towards this $17,000 upgrade. We also thank those that purchased tickets in last years Toyota Good for Football Raffle as all money raised assisted with the club’s contribution to this worthwhile cause. The lights have made a big difference to training and were very helpful to our girls winning the A & C Grade Grand Finals.
RAFFLE SPONSOR MCDFNL Best & Fairest The Avoca Football Netball Club is very happy that GLOBAL VACATIONS agreed to support our Major Fundraiser in 2023. GLOBAL VACATIONS donated a voucher for WORLDWIDE Holiday destinations that the club used in our Major Raffle.. We encourage all of our membership base to check out Global Vactions when looking for a holiday destination. https://globalvacationreward.com/locations/ The Avoca Football Netball Club is very proud of Kodie Greenwood who took out the B Grade League Best & Fairest award in season 2023. Kodie also won the club equivalent for the second season in succession. Kodie has been a great assett to our club since joining in 2022. She has the ability to play forward or back and played a key role in our B Grade Runner Up teama and our A Grade premiership team. The Avoca Bulldogs congratulate you Kodie and we hope to see you playing for our club for many seasons to come. Some photo’s of interest Our club Mascot, Jedd Arrowsmith got to meet Sam Moorfoot at the Maryborough Rovers vs Campbells Creek game during the season. Jedd is much loved by all of the Avoca Bulldogs Members, and he was very pleased to meet Sam, who is well known for his involvement with the Geelong Football Club. Pictured below:It was a long season for the footballers having to make do with changing facilities that were brought in while flood damge was being prepared to our facilities.
Vale Milo Major Raffle Winners The Avoca Football Netball Club pass on our condolences to the Redpath Family on the recent sudden passing of Peter “Milo” Redpath. Milo played over 100 games of football for our club and was also a member of our very successfull period of the 1990’s. Milo was one of our many players that enjoyed premiership success during that era. R.I.P MILO Congratulations Calvin Wilkinson (Ticket number 830) Calvin was the winner of the Avoca FNC Major Raffle for season 2023. A worldwide accommodation package is the First Prize to anywhere that is listed on the global vacations package on their website. https://globalvacationreward.com/locations/ 2nd Prize - Tyson Gray - (Ticket number 466) A portable 25 Litre fridge/Freezer donated by Wattle Office Supplies valued at $370.00 3rd Prize – Wilhelm Klene - (Ticket number 803) A six pack of various wines from our very generous winery sponsors valued at $175.00. 4th Prize – Reece Wynd - (Ticket number 790) A six pack of various wines from our very generous winery sponsors valued at $175.00. 5th prize – Rob Elliott - (Ticket number 1081) A six pack of various wines from our very generous winery sponsors valued at $175.00. 6th prize – Kerry Egan - (Ticket number 53) A six pack of various wines from our very generous winery sponsors valued at $175.00. 7th prize – Casey Walkley - (Ticket number 114) 2 x $20 meal vouchers at The Avoca Hotel 8th prize - Russell Neil - (Ticket number 1077) 2 x $20 meal vouchers at The Avoca Hotel 9th prize – Matt Veitch - (Ticket Number 699) $20 meal voucher at Ballarat Leagues Club 10th prize – Sally Field - (Ticket number 218) A Movie Ticket at Showbiz Cinemas Delacombe. Milo is pictured below 4th back row in our 1980 Under 16 team. 11th prize – Jesse Leenaerts - (Ticket number 582) A Movie Ticket at Showbiz Cinemas Delacombe. 12th prize – Cailtlun Van Parreren - (Ticket number 33) A Movie Ticket at Showbiz Cinemas Delacombe. The Avoca Football Netball Club would like to thank everybody that purchased tickets in our Major Fundraiser and we congratulate all prize winners. The sum of $5,525 was raised which will be put towards our new electronic scoreboards on the football oval and the netball court which we look forward to using in season 2024. Thank you to the following sponsors that donated prizes for our raffle.
AUSKICK & NETSETGO Is held at the Peter Jess - PJA Accountants Principal Partnership Avoca Public Park on Wednesday afternoons. Auskick at 3.30 pm Netsetgo at 3.45pm The club is very pleased that Life Member Peter Jess commenced a five year term in 2022 as our Principal Partner for five seasons through his business, PJA Accountants and Business Advisors. This season marks the 51st year of Peter’s involvement with the club as a player and then sponsor which is an amazing achievement. Peter has been a long standing financial contributor to not just our club but the Avoca community and we are extremely grateful for his continued support of our community. New Committee The club held it’s Annual Meeting recently and the new committee for the 2024 season was formed. Thank you to Zim’s Fencing and Maryborough Sportspower for donating awards for our Junior footballers. The club welcomes our first ever Lady President in Sandie Ward who is very keen to continue the outstanding work that our outgoing President, Bill Drummond, contributed over his seven year tenure at the the helm. We thank Bill and congratulate Sandie for taking on the role. Sandie will be assisted by Alana Burge in the role of Vice-President and Kylie Coghlan remains in the role of Secretary, as does Kylie Gollop and Steph Wardlaw as our Treasurers. Ben Coghlan has taken on the role of Senior Football Manager and Luke Davis, continues as Junior Football Manager. Alana Burge also remains in the role as Netball Manager. Other positions were filled by Andrew Wardlaw, Jeremy Coghlan, Sima Beavis, Colleen Drummond, and Jesse Wardlaw. We thank all of our committee members for taking on the responsibility of volunteering for our community based club. Volunteers are what keep community organisations alive.
Heart Beats True 2024 Commitment to Child Safety
Social Events We had some great social events at the club in 2023. The Annual Ball was a great success once again.
SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS The Avoca Football Netball Club were very pleased to award two of our up and coming junior players with the AFNC Scholarship Awards at the recent Graduation Night. Marissa Harvey Marissa commenced playing netball for Avoca in 2019 and has amassed 56 games to date for the Bulldogs. 2023 saw Marissa play 13 games for the season in the Under 11 grade and also played 13 and Under grade netball. She was recognised by her coach as showing leadership qualities, and has continued to improve as each season has progressed. Her speed and agility allowed her to play in most positions during the season, which is a great asset for her future netball. The Avoca Bulldogs look forward to seeing Marissa leading the way for her team mates in the future years. Congratulations Marissa! Emmett Ferguson Emmett has been an outstanding player for our club since first playing in 2019. He has played a total of 79 games and has kicked 28 goals. Emmett has won numerous awards while playing football for the Avoca Football Netball Club including the club Under 11.5 Runner-Up Best & Fairest in 2022 which was an outstanding achievement. He is an on field leader and is a great user of the football setting up many forward moves in our Under 11.5 team in 2023. Emmett comes from a good sporting and community minded family who are heavily involved with the Avoca FNC, particularly at Junior Level. We look forward to what lies ahead on the football field for Emmett. Congratulations Emmett! Emmett & Marissa are pictured with 2024 Club President, Sandie Ward, who presented them both with their awards.
OLD DOGS CLUB VALE KATH JOLLY We take this opportunity to thank our membership of the OLD DOGS Club. Past football & netball players of the Avoca Bulldogs support the OLD DOGS Club and the funds from their membership is put towards purchasing our game day footballs and netballs. Membership is $40 and allows entry into home games each season. If you are a past player and would like to become an OLD DOG you can do so by calling 0408 571 829. For more info Google Avoca OLD DOGS Our condolences to the Jolly Family on the passing of Kath Jolly. Kath was married to the late John Jolly, who was a 1953 premiership player of our club. Kath was a long time member of the Avoca FNC Ladies Committee spending many hours in the old tin shed that was once our canteen and is now used as the Mens Shed home. Kath & John's children, Maree, Dianne and Peter all played sport for our club and all had success whilst doing so. Kath is pictured with her son Pete, who won our Senior Club Best & Fairest in 1987 and the Under 16.5 Best & Fairest in 1981 & 1982. Our best wishes to all of the Jolly Family. NEW BULLDOGS A number of new additions to our Bulldogs Family made their way into the world. We look forward to the years ahead when they start donning the Red, White and Blue,
Football Senior Football Best & Fairest R/Up Best & Fairest Best Under 20 Most Determined Leading Goalkicker Coach’s Trophy Reserves Football Best & Fairest R/Up Best & Fairest Leading Goal Kicker Most Determined Coach’s Trophy Under 17.5 Football Best & Fairest R/Up Best & Fairest Leading Goalkicker Most Improved Most Determined Coach’s Trophy Coach’s Trophy Under 14.5 Football Best & Fairest R/Up Best & Fairest Leading Goal Kicker Most Improved Most Determined Coach’s Trophy Under 11.5 Football Best & Fairest R/Up Best & Fairest Leading Goal Kicker Most Improved Most Determined Coach’s Trophy CLUB Best Clubperson Lee & Sima Beavis Family 2023 Trophy Winners Winner Scott Cawthan & Jordan Hayes Sean Moyle Sid Robinson Byron Wynd Jason Hunt Cody Lubeek Winner Lachlan Wardlaw Nick Drury Trevor Field Joel Howell Matt Veitch Winner Sid Robinson Campbell Blair Jesse Britnell Jaidyn Cocking Eric Wilkinson Josh Humphrey Angus Voutier Winner Matthew Wardlaw Aiden Collicoat Jaxon Carmody Luke Driscoll Jenna Beavis Fred Davis Winner Jarrod Collicoat Beau Carmody Jarrod Collicoat Dylan Wardlaw Dusty Wardlaw Oscar Darlow
Netball A Grade Best & Fairest Runner/Up Most Dedicated Amy Walkley Memorial Coach’s Trophy B Grade Best & Fairest Runner/Up Most Dedicated Coach’s Trophy C Grade Best & Fairest Runner/Up Most Dedicated Coach’s Trophy 17 & Under Best & Fairest Runner/Up Coach’s Trophy 15 & Under Best & Fairest Runner/Up Most Dedicated Coach’s Tropy 13 & Under Best & Fairest Runner/Up Coach’s Trophy 2023 Trophy Winners Winner Elisa Pica Caitlin Drummond Gina Beavis Elisa Pica Winner Kodie Greenwood Brodey McKay Caitlin Sleeman Bonnie Beavis Winner Colleen Drummond Lyndall Thatcher Lyndal Thatcher Talia Arrowsmith Winner Matilda Davis Emily Beavis Emma King Winner Kyra Rouhan Lucy Coghlan Kalifornia Klene Caitlin Eldridge Winner Shayla Blair Layla White Alana Collicoat
Thank you to all of our Business Partners for the support that you give to our club. We take this opportunity too thank our many wonderful partners. It is a very difficult task to operate a sporting club these days and would be nearly impossible without the financial support that our partners provide to our club. We appreciate their support greatly and we encourage all of our supporters to check out the flyer to see just who it is that support our club and we ask that you support them, and thank them whenever the opportunity arises. Thank you to Hewitt & Whitty, OZ Tenpin Bowling, Rebel Sport and Showbiz Cinemas for donating weekly awards to our Junior footballers and netballers. You can count on PJA Accountants to provide sound insights and effective action. They will give you options that are in line with your organization’s strategy. They will put the right technology in place to help you automate your business processes.
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