On a cold, rainy Daylesford evening this week, the Daylesford Football Netball Club launched the Jim Gull Memorial Scoreboard.
The electronic communications board will serve as a scoreboard for the football ground and as a display for other Victoria Park users such as the Daylesford Show, the Highland Gathering and ChillOut.
Jim Gull
Jim Gull was an outstanding captain and coach of the Daylesford football side from 1951 to 1968. He played a phenomenal 560 games and kicked 889 goals in the Ballarat Football League for Daylesford. He captained Daylesford to their only premiership in the BFL in 1961 kicking a BFL record of 159 goals in the season. Jim’s daughter, Sandra, and his granddaughter attended the launch.
DFNC President, Carson White, spoke about the tremendous impact that Jim Gull had on the Club and about the need recognise his achievements. “We want as a club to recognise our history. Jim Gull was an incredible footballer and and incredible athlete and the captain of our only premiership in the BFL and we want the kids to know and remember that history,” he said.
The display has been a long time coming. COVID delays were compounded by dramatic cost increases and unusually wet weather that complicated the installation.
The display was funded by the Community Bank Daylesford District. Branch manager, Melanie Tudball, Board Chair Mark Rak , Community Investment Chair, Margaret Hodge and other representatives of the Bank attended the ceremony.
Carson thanked the Bank for their sponsorship and support and also acknowledged generous contributions to the installation from Malcorp Building and Carpentry Services, Purtell Electrical, Solid Foundation Concreting, Edgar Steel and O’Toole Signs.
The Club has had other recent funding success. Local member, Mary-Anne Thomas this week announced that DFNC had been awarded a grant of $5000 from the state government’s Sporting Club Grants Program to build a new website. The Program is part of the Victorian Government’s commitment to make community sport more accessible and inclusive, stimulate local economies, build sustainable sport and recreation and volunteer opportunities, and increase local participation.
“The Sporting Club Grants Program is giving grassroots sports clubs the support they need to grow their ranks and help more people than ever play the sports they love, ” said Mary-Anne Thomas.
Carson White was very grateful for the award and said that the club would use local resources to make the website a much more effective communications tool for the Club.
The Club is also enjoying on-field success. Last week the Bulldogs seniors had their first victory for the season over Rokewood Corindhap. Leigh Colledge kicked 3 goals and Mitch McLauglin another 2 in a winning total of 12.10-82 to 8.8-56.
In a thrilling game, the Daylesford A Grade netball team beat last year’s top side, Rokewood Corindhap, 47-46 to remain undefeated for the season. The hard work that player-coach, Carly Luke has put in since joining the Club last year is paying off.
DFNC hosts their annual Pride Cup this weekend against Springbank. The Club’s luncheon will be hosted by award-winning sports journalist Megan Hustwaite who has written for major newspaper specialising in women’s sport for the past 18 years.
Get down to Victoria Park this Saturday and support the Doggies!
