OUR HISTORY - YEAR BY YEAR
1954 - 1959
1954
1954 - E Section
President: Alfred Bright
Coach: Jock Herbert
Team Leaders:
Captain: John Weatherson
Vice-captain: Ian Robertson
The inaugural meeting of the Old Trinity Grammarians’ Amateur Football Club was held at Trinity Grammar School on 10 May 1954 – at 8.00 a.m.! The convener was John Weatherson. The other members of the inaugural committee were Ian Robertson, John Menzies, Jock Herbert, Arthur Batson and Bruce Heard. George Dwyer was the Club’s first Secretary. Apologies were received from Alfred Bright, the then headmaster of the school, and John Johnstone.
Mr Bright had agreed to be the Club’s first Honorary President. Arthur Batson was elected the first Deputy Chairman, a position he held for the first four years. Arthur was to become synonymous with the junior school and a much loved and revered teacher of over 40 years’ service to the school. Much the same can be said for Jock Herbert in relation to the senior school. Jock was appointed to be the coach of the team for the first season. One theme which permeates the history of the Club is the close association of the Club with teachers from Trinity Grammar School. In addition to Arthur Batson and Jock Herbert, significant contributions were made by George Wood, Derek Philips and Ian Monro.
George Wood, who was present at our 2010 reunion, was privileged to play in the Club’s first game “to make up the numbers”. By his own account, the team had sufficient numbers without his presence for the next match they played, and he was able to become the first member of the Club to hang up his boots.
Armed with the knowledge that it would cost of the order of £150 ($2,408 in 2010 inflation adjusted terms) to finance the team for the first season, the Committee set the annual subscription at £1. The Committee also authorised various expenditures, including an account with the Melbourne Sports Depot of £7/6/5 for footballs and sundry equipment. For those not familiar with real money, this represents 7 pounds, 6 shillings and 5 pence; or, in decimal terms, $14.64 (or $117.53 in 2010 inflation adjusted terms!). The Old Trinity Grammarians Association was also a strong supporter of the Club and provided a loan of £60 to assist the Club to become established.
The Club’s first registered players were: A. J. Adgemis, D.L. Bates, G.H. Brown, J.A. Burke, J.L. Carey, G.H. Dwyer, K. Emmett, M.E. Hagger, C.H.Harkin, M.H. Harkin, B.H.R. Heard, J.P. Herbert, M. Howsom, J.H. Johnstone, E.T.P. Kaan, H.Qwong, D.R.A.Latchford, N.M. Macaulay, J.R. Menzies, B. Roberts, I.G. Robertson (VC), R. M. Robison, P.H. Seymore, J.N.,Taylor, J.R. Turner, B.L. Wardrop, E. J. Weatherson (C), I.F.H. Wilson, S. Wong, G.A. Wood, J.R. Woods.
John Weatherson was the Club’s first captain, with Ian Robertson his deputy.
The first game was lost to Old Geelong Grammar 19-22-136 to 2-2-14.
The second game was forfeited due to lack of numbers, and it was not until the third game that the Club was able to field a full team for the first time. In the seventh game Trinity recorded its first win defeating ISCA 12-15-87 to 4-6-30.
The minutes for the early meetings of the Committee canvass the same matters which still beset all amateur clubs; how to raise money and how to ensure there are sufficient players and officials week to week to avoid forfeits and fines.
At the end of the first season, South Melbourne City were premiers. Old Trinity finished in seventh position (out of nine) having won four games, drawn one and lost eleven. But it had proved itself competitive and had survived. Letters were sent to the school thanking it for the use of the oval and the changing rooms and to Mr John Watson for the use of his classroom in the junior school for committee meetings.
Awards winners 1954:
Most consistent player: Max Robison
Most improved player: Bruce Heard