We would like to thank Deb Milde who did us the honour of tossing the Life Member Coin for the A Grade match against Blackwood on Saturday 18 July 2026. Deb was made a Life Member in 2007 and was accompanied by her sister Margaret Petersen, both of whom have been very passionate Mt Lofty volunteers and supporters for many years.
Deb’s dedication to the Devils has been outstanding and the awarding of Life Membership recognised years of voluntary roles across many areas of the club as Treasurer, canteen manager, a creative member of the social committee and working on the bar and in the kitchen providing meals to the players and members on Thursday nights and Saturdays.
Her family and extended family have contributed an enormous amount of voluntary work and support to Mt Lofty over the decades in so many roles and her late father, Sam Shaw, was a much-loved Gatekeeper for years through the crazy Heathfield winters.
Deb is also a very proud mother, with son Connor playing over 100 senior games after years as a junior, being a member of Premiership teams and being the A Grade leading goal kicker for the season on 4 occasions.
It is only fitting that Deb toss the coin for the match today because way back in the early 90’s, Deb was Vice-Captain for our informal female matches against Blackwood Football Club. Put together with the support of our local football community, 3 matches were played with both clubs vying for the “Champagne Cup”. Playing alongside her sister Margaret, many volunteers and families were players at that time and close friend Vicki Lewis is also here to support Deb’s coin toss honour.
With her love of football, it is certain Deb would have enjoyed being a member of the official Women’s Mt Lofty HFL team, donning the red and white for the last 10 years. Maybe even AFLW!
Deb is certainly much loved across the club with her absolute dedication to the Devils over the years.
On behalf of everybody at Mt Lofty, we thank you sincerely for the incredible work and support you have given to a very grateful club.
Deb Milde at the Coin Toss with Mt Lofty & Blackwood Captains.
Deb with good friend Huia Manuel and sons, Sonny & Jackson Lindsay, Vicki Lewis, Nikki More and Margaret Petersen
Sister Margaret Petersen, Friend Vicki Lewis and Deb
Nikki Moore, Deb & A Grade Coach Michael Bawden
Life Member 2007 Deb Milde
Deb and family celebrating at Mt Lofty
Sister Marg Petersen, friend (name unknown), Nikki Moore & Deb Milde
We would like to thank Leith Dawes who did us the honour of tossing the Life Member Coin for the A Grade match against Nairne Bremer on Saturday 20 June 2026. Leith was escorted through a players guard of honour formed at the end of the B Grade match to the centre circle by his mother Jill, also a Life Member and was joined by his wife Jacqui, daughter Charlotte and sons Tristan and Seb. His son Callum lives in Exmouth and could not be there.
Leith was made a Life Member in 2001 and when brother Bruce joined this special group in 2010, the Dawes family became unique with four Life Members – the late Harvey, Jill, Leith and Bruce. The incredible family contribution throughout Mt Lofty’s entire 47-year history is further recognised through the naming of the A Grade Men’s Best and Fairest – the Coventry Dawes Medal. Leith played his first match at just 6 years of age, with Heathfield Aldgate United because his father Harvey’s club, Stirling, could not accommodate him at such a young age. 42 years later at 48 he played his last match when he and his son Callum were in the Devil’s B Grade midfield with brother Bruce and his son Ostyn for the last 10 minutes. His playing career was outstanding with many highlights, including as a member of multiple Premierships – 1990 and 2006 A Grade, 1988 and 2010 B Grade and 2012 C Grade as Captain Coach. Playing a total of 289 senior matches, the vast majority at A Grade level, Leith held the club record of 256 A Grade matches which was only broken in 2017 by Brad Burch. Always putting the club and team first, he also won the A Grade Best and Fairest on 2 occasions in 1993 (shared with Ian Willmott) and 1997. This long-term football career has also been recognised with the awarding of Life Membership of the Hills Football League.
His contribution off the field over the decades, however, is almost unbelievable, beginning as a young boy as boundary umpire for the C Grade and manning the gate and scoreboard. From an influential committee member to coaching, Leith has contributed so much to the success of the club. While coaching at all levels, including A Grade Captain Coach in 1997 and 1998, he won South Australia’s Junior Coach of the year in 2021 after coaching all junior grades including junior girls. Perhaps Leith’s biggest contribution was leading the Auskick Program for over 20 years where he has attracted hundreds of boys and girls to the Devils, many becoming long time club people playing, volunteering and supporting the club. A passion to attract young players where they had so much fun, was backed up as a person who’s easy going manner and football knowledge saw him provide development in football and life to players at all levels from 6 to 46 years. The critical importance of this role is often overlooked in clubs, but it is fundamental to club survival and success, regardless of how successful club recruiters of A Grade players might be.
There are few roles Leith has not carried out for the Devils, across Senior and Junior Committees where he has co-ordinated and acted as MC for so many important activities over 30 years, including annual Presentations, the Chairman’s Lunch, Club Reunions, Ladies Days and many more.
While his contribution to football and to the club is exceptional, Leith also umpired HFL matches, including a Junior Grand Final, from Under 14 to A Grade for 3 years before pausing for cricket involvements. With a lifelong love of Australian Football, he has been equally passionate for Cricket and in later life has committed to the game at national and international level. He is the Cricket Australian Masters A Team Captain and recently returned from a tournament in America where the team defeated Cricket Australian Masters over 50’s team in a 45 over format as well as both American teams.
Outside the support and development of Mt Lofty Footballers and Mt Lofty Cricketers, Leiths hard work extends throughout the sporting communities sharing the Heathfield Sporting Complex. A very balanced approach when representing these clubs has served clubs well in negotiations and in maintaining and developing facilities. Work in this area over the years and as a volunteer for the Mt Lofty District Community and Sports Club has also been recognised with Life Membership to Leith.
On behalf of everybody at Mt Lofty, we thank Leith sincerely for the exceptional role he has played throughout the entire 47-year history of the club.
Leith’s Last Match in 2018 with Brother Bruce, nephew Ostyn and son Callum
Leiths final premiership in 2016
Many Mt Lofty Devils players started Auskick and went on to be coached by him as they progressed through to Modified Rules to Junior Grades to Senior Football
Leith – the Master of Ceremonies at so many Mt Lofty events over many years.
Register your interest legends@mtloftydevils.com.au and join us as we celebrate the rich history of our incredible club!
Saturday, 22nd August 2026 1:00 PM Upstairs in the Clubrooms Afternoon tea provided by the Lofty Legends
As we gather at our final home game of the season against Lobethal, we’ll be bringing together past and present players, volunteers, supporters, families, and friends to celebrate the people and moments that have shaped our club.
We’ll also be recognising some remarkable milestones:
80 Years – 1946 Stirling FC A Grade Premiers (Post-WWII) 60 Years – 1966 Heathfield-Aldgate United FC competing in the Adelaide Metro League & the opening of Heathfield Oval 50 Years – 1976 HAU A & B Grade Premiers 40 Years – 1986 Mt Lofty FC A & B Grade Double Premiers 20 Years – 2006 Mt Lofty FC A Grade, B Grade & Senior Colts Triple Premiers 10 Years – 2016 Mt Lofty FC Inaugural Women’s Team
Whether you played, volunteered, supported from the sidelines, or simply have great memories of the club, we’d love to see you there.
A great excuse to reconnect with mates and celebrate the club we all love.
Mt Lofty District Football Club would like to thank Haydn Cutting who is did us the honour of tossing the commemorative Life Member coin this week’s HFL Round 7 match against The Hahndorf Football Club at Heathfield oval in front of the Arkaba Clubhouse on 30 May 2026.
He is joined by his wife Dee, eldest daughter Allison and Granddaughters Mia and Harriet and Sister-in-Law Jill Colotti and James Colotti. His other children Heath and Claire and families all live overseas and cannot be here today, along with sister Annette who lives interstate.
Haydn was made a Life Member of Mt Lofty in 2017 as a volunteer but had played for Heathfield as a junior and for Heathfield Aldgate in the 1968 B Grade Premiership and the 1971 A Grade Premiership.
When his son Heath commenced playing Junior Football for the Devils, Haydn coached those sides for several years and was subsequently a member of the Junior Committee. Later, he and Kevin Hampton worked together to commence the Lofty Legends Group and has since assisted the Football Club and the District Community and Sports Club, of which he is also a Life Member.
Haydn has admiration for the many people who have built Mt Lofty into one of the biggest clubs in South Australia with 20 teams catering for men, women, boys and girls.
He has very fond memories of the people and achievements of the United days, but very special memories are of playing football with his late brother Neil and then, in later years, watching Heath as Captain of the Devil’s A Grade Premierships in 2006, 2007 and 2008. Very proud family moments took place when Heath got to raise the Neil Cutting Memorial Challenge Cup for competition between Mt Lofty and Bridgewater A Grade. Neil had played and volunteered for both clubs, including the Presidency at Bridgewater before his passing at just 44 in 1998.
As a result of being so involved either playing or supporting, he was the co instigator of the Lofty Legends Group in the role of convenor. Bringing together the heritage of the Club so effortlessly with his connection to the current and future of the club. In the role of Convenor he spent countless hours ensuring the history is always respected for reunion day every year and creating the space for many legendary tales to be told well into the evening. Even though he has handed over this role, he is still a part of what makes our club history flow and assists around the club along with fellow lofty legends.
Haydn is extremely honoured to have been made a Life Member of the Devils and is very grateful for the opportunities which so many wonderful Devils people have given him.
On behalf of everybody at Mt Lofty, we thank you sincerely for all you have done for the Mt Lofty District Football Club.
2018 Lofty Legends Reunion of 1968 B Grade Premiership side – LtoR Peter Hunt, Lew Malzard, Richard Symons, Haydn Cutting, Ian O’Riley, Kym Radbone and David Fuller.
Very Proud Moment – 2006 Mt Lofty A Grade side with Captain Heath Cutting and Coach Nathan Grainger holding the Neil Cutting Memorial Challenge Cup won by the A Grade.
Source of Pride and wonderful memories playing together – The Neil Cutting Memorial Challenge Cup so named after Neil playing and volunteering for both Mt Lofty and Bridgewater – Neil is pictured far left with the team drink container used in those days and celebrating the A Grade winning the Courier Cup in 1987.
Mt Lofty District Football Club would like to thank Trevor Gould, who is did us the honour of tossing the commemorative Life Member coin this week’s HFL Round 4 match against The Onkaparinga Valley Football Club at Heathfield oval in front of the Arkaba Clubhouse on 2 May 2026. Trevor was joined by his wife Carolanne, daughter Catherine, son Stuart and grandsons Robbie and Harvey.
A self-confessed football tragic who is a strong supporter of “grass roots” footy and the benefits that organised team sports have on the development of young people. Trevor originally got involved to support the playing aspirations of sons Stuart and Shaun, who have both played numerous games for Mt Lofty in the A, B & C grade teams. Shaun also coached the first Mt Lofty women’s team and is an under 18’s and B grade premiership coach.
Trevor has made many friends during his involvement at Mt Lofty in what he says has been a very happy time in his life.
He has been involved with the Mt Lofty FC for nearly 30 years in a variety of roles, and there is a long list:
Junior Colts coach
Senior Colts coach – 2 premierships in 2006 and 2007
Senior Football Director
A grade Team Manager
B grade Team Manager
C grade Team Manager (current role)
A grade Timekeeper
Match day oval line marker
Member of Mt Lofty Legends Group
Life Member 2014
The Mt Lofty Club community will forever be indebted to Trevor for his incredible dedication, hard work and very personable approach to all. In addition to the roles undertaken and in his typical low-key approach, Trevor has used his professional expertise to also take the lead in several very testing times for the club where diplomacy and credibility were essential.
On behalf of everybody at the Devils, we thank you sincerely for all you have done for the Mt Lofty District Football Club.
2020 LLG 200 Senior Games Recognition Marlon Coates – Presented by Trevor GouldTrevor Gould – Coach of 2006 Senior Colts Premiers
Mt Lofty District Football Club would like to thank Ian Deans and welcome Ian Deans, who is a Life Member of the Mt Lofty District Football Club and did us the honour of tossing the commemorative Life Member Coin for the 2026 HFL Round 3 match against Uraidla. A round particularly specially being falling on ANZAC Day. Ian was joined by his wife Mary, his two brothers Bruce and Harry Deans with their wives Dianne and Lynda.
The Deans Family were extremely proud to be asked to toss the coin for this ANZAC Day match. This is especially significant, as their parents Frank and Joan, were involved in World War 2. Frank was a Northern Territory Policeman who joined up and saw action in the Malayan Peninsula and the Battle of Singapore. He was captured and imprisoned in Changi for 3 years. Their mother, Joan, was an English woman serving as a Nursing sister on the English Hospital ships throughout the war. Frank and Joan met after the war and married, however due to the terrible deprivation Frank suffered in Changi prison, he endured ill health and died suddenly, leaving Joan with 6 children. The Deans became a Legacy Family, and to this day, are grateful for the support Legacy gave to our mother and our family.
The five boys of the Deans family, Bruce, Harry, Jim, Ian and Tom, have all been involved with, and played in, Aldgate & Heathfield United Football club. This ultimately became the Mt Lofty & District Football Club that we know today. During this time with the Club the Deans brothers have played in a total of 17 Premierships. One in particular stands out, when Harry Deans kicked the winning goal after the final siren to win the 1986 A Grade Grand final. Harry was subsequently presented with the “Golden Boot” which the club still has, and is displayed in the clubrooms. Tom Deans, was the Mt Lofty & District Football Club A Grade Best & Fairest on two occasions.
On behalf of everybody at Mt Lofty, we thank you sincerely for all you have done for the club.
PHOTO ON DAY Back row: Greg Bond, Mt Lofty President, Renae Deans, Mt Lofty Life Member Ian Deans, Daniel Deans, Paul Deans, Seb Deans, Bruce Deans, Diane Deans, Steve Dunning, Haydn O’Shaghnessy, Trevor Ranford. Front row with Harry Deans: Lynda Deans, Laura Deans and Mary DeansPHOTO ON DAY United Premiership Players from the late 1960’s and 1970’s. Don Lobban (official), David Evans, Trevor Ranford, Ian Deans, Haydn O’Shaughnessy, Bruce Deans, Steven Dunning and Harry Deans.PHOTO ON DAY L to R Diane Deans, Laura Deans and Lynda Deans2019 – The Deans Family – Harry, Lynda, Bruce, Diane, Ian and Mary2015 Harry & Ian Deans2015 Ian Deans and Jill Dawes
Saturday, 22nd August 2026
1:00 PM
Upstairs in the Clubrooms
Afternoon tea provided by the Lofty Legends
80 Years – 1946 Stirling FC A Grade Premiers (Post-WWII)
