We were proud to be joined at Arkaba Oval this week, by Owen Bevan, to do us the honour of tossing the commemorative Life Member coin for our match against Uraidla.
Until recent years Owen was a lifelong Stirling resident who played for Stirling in the 1950’s and through to the 70’s. A very fair but determined player, Owen was a ruckman in Stirling’s 1960 Premiership side, runner up Mail Medalist in 1965 and the inaugural chairman of the Mt. Lofty District Football club in 1979.
Owen juggled his sport with life as a Police Officer and he retired as Chief Superintendant after decades of service to South Australia – for which he was recognised in the Australia Day Honours List with an Australian Police Medal.
Years of service also saw Owen recognised with Life Membership of the Stirling Football Club. He continued his voluntary service on the formation of Mt Lofty Football Club and was our inaugural President in 1979, holding that position until 1981 when Mt Lofty won its very first A Grade Premiership playing in the then SAFA competition. He has continued to stay in touch and was one of a good number of 1960 Stirling Premiership players who attended the 2021 reunion.
Owen’s son Mark is with him today, with Mark being a member of our 1990 A Grade premiership side, and four of Owens Grandsons have gone on to play junior and senior football with the devils
We sincerely thank you Owen.
It was great to see Owen and his son Mark on Saturday, and thanks to Hadyn Cutting and the LLG for these great photos from the archives.
We were proud to be joined at Arkaba Oval this week, by Rob Bonython to do us the honour of tossing the commemorative Life Member coin for our match against Nairne Bremer.
We would like to thank Rob Bonython who is a Life Member of one of our Heritage Club’s Stirling Football Club and who is doing us the honour having tossed the commemorative Life Member coin for our match against Nairne-Bremer Saturday May 13 2023.
Rob started playing football at the Crafers Primary School in 1956 and then began his career with the Stirling Football Club, being a premiership player in the 1960 Colts side.
Advancing to senior football with Stirling, his career was put on hold while he served 2 years in the Army from 1966 to mid-1968. On return to Stirling, he went on to play Finals and Grand Finals and he earned the reputation as a “dour defender” at CHB and FB in the A Grade
He was noted as having a hard approach at the ball, possessing a long kick and was good overhead. Unfortunately, a knee injury saw Rob’s early retirement from playing in 1972 but he went on to assist the club by helping run the canteen, cabarets at Aldgate and Crafers Halls, raffles and sat as a member of the club’s social committee. Rob was awarded Life Membership in 1976 and continued the fund-raising service with Stirling until its amalgamation and formation of the Mt Lofty District Football Club.
The same dedication shown throughout his Stirling days has seen Rob support our broader community and is a very committed member of the Stirling RSL where he has been involved for nearly 50 years. Such dedication led to him being “awarded the highest award made by the RSL – the RSL Meritorious Service Medal in 2011.”
We were proud to be joined at Arkaba Oval this week, by Rick Smith to do us the honour of tossing the commemorative Life Member coin for our match against Onka Valley.
A long-term supporter of the Devil’s, Rick was awarded Mt. Lofty life membership in 2000.
Rick started with the club in the Andrew Downes era and in his first year supporting the club he was part of the team that experienced the Grand Final draw.
Rick spent time on the Club Committee while working with many teams during his involvement and he actively supported us as Property Steward and game day manager for many years. Cooking tonnes of chips at the Scout Jamboree was one highlight for Rick, and the light towers around the ground became possible from the efforts of people such as Rick.
He was a great support to his dear wife Joan as she served the head trainer role at the club, and no one has ever left an opposition change rooms as clean as Rick – he certainly made a difference to the expected standards at our club.
It’s always been a family affair for the Smiths, and Rick is accompanied today by sons Matt and Dan who both played for many seasons at the Devils.
Rick notes that he is pleased to see that the club has grown to its current position, and he feels that his family had a role in developing this.
Thanks for all you have given to our community Rick.
2023 R1 Mt Lofty v Blackwood, we have asked Rick – who was inducted as a MLDF Life Member in 2014 – to give us a summary on his time around the club. His thoughts are below, and in true Benny style, we are sure you will enjoy the read.
Thanks for all you have done for the Devils Rick!
It’s an honour to be asked to toss the coin for the first game of 2023.
The trouble I find with reflection, apart from the many great life moments that football has given me, is that you see into yourself – and I see a talent wasted, a young man who put more effort into having a good time than he did his football.
A young man who had no comprehension or appreciation of the effort that so many put into the running and success of the club. Selfish is a good word for it. The effort I gave was meagre for what I received in return.
Fortunately, I had two careers at Mt Lofty. The one spoken about above was from 1979 to 1992, the second from 2003 to 2018 was the opportunity to give back to the club that had given me so much, where I saw, enjoyed and contributed to the club and community, playing, coaching and volunteering in a number of roles.
My closest friends are from football, both my wives took the bait during premiership seasons and both my sons have played senior football at Mt Lofty. The club has given me plenty.
I started playing for Stirling U10s in 1973 at the age of 7 and playing in the 1977 U14 premiership side for Stirling against HAU, Stirling’s last premiership. At 17 I played my first A Grade game for Mt Lofty in 1983. Played in premierships in 1986 and 1990 (Alex Parkin medallist).
Life took me away from the Hills in 1992. From 2003 to 2018 I played A Grade, B Grade, C Grade and Masters football including two B Grade flags in 2005 and 2006 (dropped for the C Grade grand final in 2012 after playing a blinder in the prelim – thanks Thunder!)
Coaching our U15s in 2011 was one of the greatest football joys I’ve experienced. In following seasons, I also coached many of these players in U17s and B Grade.
I have been bar manager, unsuccessful senior football director, assistant coach and runner for the chicks B Grade supporting my wonderful (second) wife whilst sliding in a few B Grade games.
In 2018, I played with both my sons in the last game of the season – it doesn’t get any better than that!
Cheers,
Uncle Rick – Benny – King Richard – Hypo Nut – Boy
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 ❤️
