It is with great sadness we share with you the passing of Stan Evans on 28 November and the passing of Barb Evans 7 days later, on 4th December 2025.
STAN EVANS LEGACY
Stan, a Heathfield-Aldgate United Life member and MLDFC Life Member, has left a legacy to not only the Community he served throughout his life, but with the Mt Lofty District Football Club as it stands now. So many legendary tales of his contributions towards the ground we play on and the club we celebrate in. He played a significant part in pushing (or getting around) the red tape for developing the Heathfield Oval which was the beginning of a long and important influence on our Club. To be frank, our club, and our oval, would not be here without Stan, his persistence, and his family’s support.
BARB EVANS LEGACY
Barb, a stalwart and pillar of our community. For decades, Barb was the driving force behind many essential activities that kept our club thriving. Barb established, managed and spent many hours working in our canteen, ordering the stock, picking up orders, arriving early on game day to get the pie warmers going and packing up after the games. Barb also catered for many major club events and managed external bookings for our clubrooms, welcoming organisations such as Apex, Rotary and Council with the same warmth and efficiency. Barb even once catered for the South Australian Governor!
We offer our sincere condolences to the Evans family on behalf of the Lofty Legends and MLDFC community.
David and the Evans family have accepted our offer for you to provide condolences via legends@mtloftydevils.com.au. These will be passed on to the family. Please respect their wishes for privacy as they navigate this challenging time.
This weekend’s Advertiser will offer further information. Funeral details to be advised.
Given the immense contribution from both Stan & Barb, a comprehensive appreciation and dedication will be forwarded shortly amongst all parties of the MLCSC including the MLDFC.
The Evans family at the official opening of the new change rooms Iain, David, Andrew, Barb, Stan, Daphne, YvonneNever afraid of hard work, Stan with a shovel! Stan Evans, President of Heathfield Aldgate United FC at the 1966 opening of Heathfield Oval with SANFL Chairman Tony Kenny Barb & Stan on their 70th Wedding Anniversary 2022
We would like to thank David Evans, who is did us the honour of tossing the commemorative Life Member coin for match against Blackwood on Saturday 26 July 2025, joined by Sons Luke and Todd.
David “Taffy” Evans was made a Mt Lofty District Football Club Life Member in 1992. His two sons and grandchildren call him “FOSL”. Affectionally, David thinks that maybe they are correct!
Way back when the oval was just scrub and some trees, there was one of many community working bees. The rocky base needed to be blasted out using explosives called gelignite. This was then levelled with large machines before the topsoil was added. As a young Heathfield Primary School lad, David remembers vividly that he and Kevin Hampton joined many rows of people lining up with garden rakes and wheelbarrows to clear the rock heaps. There was no council help at all, just the community getting it done.
David played Junior footy for Heathfield Aldgate United, colts footy and filled in with the B2 grade when his dad coached, before moving more permanently to the Bs and As.
Premierships with Heathfield Aldgate United totalled 6 and for Mt Lofty he played in the first 1981 SAFA A grade match which became Mt Lofty’s first A Grade Premiership, as well as the 1986 A grade and 1988 A2 Premiership’s. David also played League and Reserve years at Sturt as player number 797 and was lucky enough to be part of a Grand Final winning team.
He was involved in Auskick coaching and training, helped coach Mt Lofty Bs and was the main bar and security bloke in the club run Casper Discos. Today he is still doing things such as Chairman of the Sports Club and he says he remains a very proud life member of this great club.
Davids playing accolades include:
4 A Grade Premierships, 3 Other Senior Premierships, 2 Junior Premierships:
Thank you sincerely on behalf of everybody at Mt Lofty for all that you do for our club.
David with sons Todd and LukeDavid with Lofty Legends Convenor (and Head Trainer) Nikki Moore nee dee RoosDavid, in blue, and Kevin Hampton as young boys when volunteers commenced clearing for the Heathfield Oval around 1965. Both made Life Members of Mt Lofty District Football Club some decades later.David left with father Stan, still playing at 44, and brothers Iain and Andrew David 1st left in the back row in his second United A Grade Premiership in 1976. David 1st in the third row of the SAFA 1981 Mt Lofty District Football Club’s inaugural Premiership. David 2nd from the left in the front row of the 1986 A Grade Mt Lofty District Football Club Premiers in their first year in the HFL. David with John Coventry at the 2016 Reunion which celebrated the 1976 United Premiership and the 1986 Mt Lofty Premiership in which they were team mates. David with sisters Yvonne and Daphne and brothers Andrew and Iain at the unveiling of the Heathfield Oval Historic Sign by his parents Stan, HAU Life Member and Barb, Mt Lofty Life Members.David with sisters Yvonne and Daphne and brothers Andrew and Iain at the unveiling of the Heathfield Oval Historic sign for his parents Stan, HAU Life Member and Barb, Mt Lofty Life Members.
We are deeply saddened to share that Richard ‘Dicky’ Symons has passed away peacefully in the late hours of the evening 20 June surrounded by his loving family.
The family asks for privacy at this time.
Funeral and proceedings expected to be on Friday 4 July from 10am.
MLDFC and our clubs pass on our sincerest condolences to Betty and the extended family.
Richard pictured (centre) with grandsons Alex (left) and Jordan (right) Houlahan whilst performing the life member coin toss for MLDFC at Heathfield Oval Saturday 27 May 2023.Richard Symons Coach 1978 HAU B Grade Premiership1978 HAU B Grade Premiers
We are deeply saddened to share that Herman Johannes de Roos (79) has passed away peacefully in the early hours of this morning 20 June surrounded by his loving family.
The de Roos family asks for privacy at this time and a celebration of his life will be announced in due course.
We would like to thank Kevin Hampton who did us the honour of tossing the commemorative Life Member coin for the match against Uraidla no Saturday April 26th 2025.
Growing up in Heathfield, Kevin was awarded Life Membership of Mt Lofty in 1990, 12 years after the formation of the club in 1978. A member of the first Mt Lofty A Grade Premiership squad in 1981, and the 1986 A Grade Premiership on return to the HFL, he has always been known for his encouragement of young players and coached Mt Lofty junior grades for 6 seasons. A Committee member and Junior Director, Kevin’s untiring service to the club, supported by wife Kathy, culminated in being elected President in 1998. He was also a founding driver of the Lofty Legends Group where he initiated awards to Junior players to encourage their team development and to build links throughout the club.
The Hampton name has been a huge part of Stirling, Heathfield, Heathfield Aldgate United and Mt Lofty history. Both Kevin’s parents, the late Jack, and Joyce, who is here today, were tireless volunteers for United, with Jack being awarded Life Membership for his service to the club as a junior coach and many other roles. This followed a wonderful playing career for Mylor, Stirling and Heathfield. His sister Lorraine, who sadly passed just 3 years ago, was a dedicated volunteer for the Devils and managed the club canteen for many years, culminating in Life Membership. Kevin’s sons Michael and Joel also represented Mt Lofty, with Joel playing many games at Junior and Senior level. Kevin’s involvement goes right back to a picture of he and David Evans as young boys seen in 1964 when clearing commenced for the Heathfield Oval.
Kevin’s Devils playing days as a solid defender, were highly regarded, with teammates recalling him as a committed team man who always supported the younger players in the team.
This followed a dedicated career with Heathfield Aldgate United where he was a member of 7 Premierships in total across A Grade, B Grade and junior sides. Kevin retired as a Mt Lofty player, after more than 300 senior matches, including for our heritage clubs, Heathfield Aldgate United and Stirling.
Everybody connected with the Mt Lofty District Football Club appreciate and say thank you to Kevin for his exceptional dedication and service.
Kevin, in red, and David Evans as young boys when volunteers commenced clearing for the Heathfield Oval around 1965.Kevin, with a beard, third from the right, second row, in the 1981 Mt Lofty A Grade Premiership side.Kevin presenting U13 player Tom Lindsay with the LLG Team Award in 2020.Kevin presenting U12 girls LLG Team Award to Hazel Kirk in 2020.Kevin with wife Kathy
ONE OF OUR OWN TURNS 100 ❤️🔥 What an amazing life story for Cliff and his family!
2025 Australia Day saw one of Heathfield Aldgate United’s most inspirational Life Members, Cliff Chaplin, turn 100. The Chaplin family, Cliff and Mabel and their children Barry and Diane, were a very big part of Heathfield Aldgate United and the family organised a celebration yesterday. Unfortunately, Cliff was unable to be present as he was not up to it on the day. A resident of Heathfield his entire life, his wonderful approach to all who have known him, saw those closest to Cliff honour and celebrate his milestone birthday and recount a century of treasured memories.
Cliff is a significant part of Mt Lofty Football Club’s heritage, commencing his playing days with Stirling, becoming a foundation member of the Heathfield Football Club and later Heathfield Aldgate United where his incredible dedication to the clubs’ and the Heathfield community was recognised with Life Membership of Heathfield Aldgate United in 1975.
HAU was an amazing Football Club and Cliff did so much to build the culture of the club. Volunteering for many roles including Goal Umpire and Trainer, we will never forget the amazing Scurvy Pirates and the Heathfield Heartthrobs created by Cliff. A fair dinkum Aussie who proudly served his country in the Navy in the Second World War, he really brought some of the fun songs to life with the A grade teams over the years at the annual presentation. He could never have done it so well without Mabel’s talented accompaniment on piano. A selection of photos below show the contribution of Cliff and his family over the years – Mabel as a dedicated volunteer also, Barry as a 6 time Premiership player across the grades and Diane one of the passionate supporters.
Recently, Cliff also did us the honour of joining the club days festivities and conducted the life member coin toss in June of 2022 at home against Uraidla. It was such an honour to have the family back at the club for the occasion!
An inspiration to us all, keep on kicking goals Cliff, and much love to you and your family from your football family!
We thank Cliff for his amazing contribution to the Mt Lofty Heritage and particularly the Heathfield Aldgate United Football Club and congratulate him on his wonderful 100 years. Loved by so many people of the community.
The Lofty Legends Group & Mt Lofty District Football Club
Cliff and Mable with A Grade Coach Michael Bawden at the MLDFC Life Member Coin Toss 2022Cliff’s family celebrating ’99’ last year – Cliff, Mabel, Barry and DianeCliff (far left third row) Goal Umpire for the 1967 A Grade Premiership side the first of the 9 Premierships won over the 12 seasonsCliff (far right) leading The Scurvy Pirates accompanied by Mabel on the piano in the background
