Good afternoon, my name is Leith Dawes and I would like to extend a warm welcome to everybody here today for the last round of the HFL season at the Heathfield Oval.
We would especially like to welcome Lofty Legend Roger Brooks who is doing us the honour of tossing the commemorative Life Member coin for today’s match against Lobethal. Today he is joined by his wife Hella.
Roger, or “Chook”, grew up in Longwood where his parents who were dedicated Hills people with his dad working for the Council and helping many others to clear this land we play on for the Heathfield Oval. He married his wife Hella and they moved to Coromandel Valley. Their married life took quite the journey up through the riverland and ended in Kynton Victoria close to his daughter and her family farm.
Attending Scotts Creek and Heathfield Primary Schools and then Oakabank High School, upon leaving education he furthered himself with a course in motor mechanics and worked at United Holden in Pirie Street.
Rogers football prowess is long and has a lot of depth and history that we are very proud to honour at Mt Lofty Football Club.
Beginning at Aldgate Football Club he quickly saw the light and moved to Heathfield and later Heathfield/Aldgate United where he became instant great mates with Johnny Coventry and many others. He was a 1961 and 1962 premiership player and between 1962 and 1964 he represented the Sturt District Rep Team. Roger captained this team in 1964 and won Association Goal Kicking as well as Best and Fairest.
In 1965, played for Heathfield in metro league and in 1966 for U17s with East Torrens Association team. He also captained the association team in a curtain raiser for Sturt vs Collingwood at Adelaide oval.
1967 to 1977 saw the incredible achievements of our Heritage Club era which we refer to as “The Golden Years”. Heathfield Aldgate United set an Australian football record back then of playing 87 unbeaten matches. This equates to a massive 9 premierships and Chook alongside Johnny Coventry and the late Herman de Roos. Within that period, he won Best and Fairest and leading goal kicker.
Football skills staying in the Brooks genes, Rogers granddaughter now plays AFL for Hawthorn. Before hanging up the boots in 1992, Roger played a few seasons for Kenilworth with his late son Jason.
Roger, on behalf of everybody at Mt Lofty, we sincerely thank you for your history which is forever woven into the heritage fabric of our club that makes it what it is today.
1967 A Grade Premiers
1977 HAU A Grade
1977 HAU A Grade Premiers
HAU – Mark Radbone, Roger Brooks, Geoff Hampton, Warren Foster (Coach)
– Over the last few days on our Socials we have been ‘Stepping Back In Time’ reminiscing of past years. Here are some of the articles that were posted. –
Don’t forget the Reunion this weekend. Get in early as it is looking like standing room only.
1950 Womens unofficial team Who do you know! Our Lofty Legends team has found all the names bar one! Third from left, back row! If you know who this is, please email legends@mtloftydevils.com.au to help keep our historical records up to date!
Back row, L to R: John Hampton, Joyce Hampton, (name unknown), Mrs Sillett, Silvia Chaplin, Mrs Cocker, Mrs Meyer, Klari Chillingsworth, Pat Williams, Maxine Chillingsworth and Barb Coventry
Young girl in front of Klari Chillingsworth is Wendy Roberts
Front row L to R: Dora Fuller, Nell Blackmore, Thelma Coventry, Cliff Chaplin, Ray Williams, Bob Longmire and Janet White
1966 Opening of Heathfield Oval
What an event for the community! A lot of red tape and dedication by many community members, eventually the Heathfield Oval was opened!
Fun Fact – Heathfield High School was originally a speedway before it was a school, then an oval. And in 1962 locals gained approval from the government to clear the site of the Heathfield oval and locals literally calved out the Heathfield Oval by hand! 1966 our oval was officially opened and the first footy match played on it’s turf! So while you’re playing, remember the hard work that went into you even having an oval to begin with!
Pics in order: Chairman of Heathfield Community Club Stan Evans (in HAU guernsey) with SANFL Chairman Mr A Kenny officially opening the oval, Foundation Stone 1966 | trial match view from current clubrooms balcony | trial match view from top end goals
1986 A and B Grade Premierships
What a day for Mt Lofty! Nothing could be darker that day for Mt Barker!
We have searched high and low but are unable to locate an official sitting of the B Grade! If you have one, please email legends@mtloftydevils.com.au
Email legends@mtloftydevils.com.au if you wish to contribute your own stories, photos and to stay connected with your clubs heritage
Devils, please find below the details of the amazing Stan and Barb’s funeral to be held this Friday, 9th January, 1pm, Heathfield Oval.
The Evans family would like to pass on the following information:
All past and current players of Mt Lofty and heritage clubs are encouraged to wear something that identifies their club (eg; gurnsey, polo, hat, beanie, scarf etc).
When the hearse leaves the oval it will journey towards the clubroom wing, follow the boundary past the top goals and exit through the gate opposite the clubrooms. During this time, all past and current members of all sports clubs, will be invited to form a guard of honour at the exit gate. More information will be provided at the conclusion of the service.
There will be a drop off point near the top side of the change-rooms which has a ramp (disability) to access down to the oval, Berry Funeral will direct from there for drop off.
Planning for the forecasted weather, there will be a large marquee for shelter on the oval for the service, misting fans and plenty of water.
A reminder that the service will be on the oval, so please ensure you are comfortable in your footwear for the approximate 2 hour duration. Afternoon tea will also be provided.
FOR LIVE-STREAMING DETAILS AND MESSAGES OF CONDOLENCE PLEASE VISIT : BERRYFUNERALS.COM.AU
The Mt Lofty Districts Historical Society is holding its AGM on Friday 24 March, 7 for 7:30pm at the Coventry Library in Stirling.
MLDFC life member Chris Chardon has been asked to present as a guest speaker on how football has evolved in the Stirling district from the late 1890s up to the Mount Lofty Club as it is today.
You are invited and welcome to attend! Bookings essential : 0419 816 490
The history of our community clubs that encompass our arena will be forever remembered.
Thanks to the Mt Lofty Community Sports Club for arranging the bench seats in honour of Stan and Barb Evans for having the forth sight, inspiration and dedication to make our home what we know it is today. They also unveiled the new plaque to showcase the history of the space.
The CSC work with the Mt Lofty Devils, the Mt Lofty Cricket Club, Heathfield Netball Club and the Stirling Netball Club all of whom were there to represent on the day, and along with our Devils, two others happened to have family focussed event days booked in on the same day. What a great day for the hills, and hopefully, exactly the day Stan and Barb first envisioned when they planned a community oval in the area all those years ago.
From all of the Mt Lofty Devils current and past, thank you Stan and Barb ❤️
Be sure to be a part of the day next weekend for our reunion round that will cover all the 1 & 2 years. Check out the Premiership photos so see if you or someone you know needs to a part of the action!
