We would like to extend a warm welcome to everybody here today at the Arkaba Oval. We would especially like to welcome Chris Chardon who is a Life Member of Mt Lofty and who is doing us the honour of tossing the commemorative Life Member coin for this very important match against Nairne-Bremer.
Chris’s football life commenced as a 12 year old with the Stirling Football Club Senior Colts (Under 16 in those days) in 1962 and he remembers well the side competing in a Grand Final and kicking a goal in his first match. Playing in the ruck, success followed with Premierships in 1963, against an undefeated Bridgewater, and 1964 when Stirling went through undefeated.
He was then enticed to play with Sturt Under 17’s in 1965 and 1966 before returning to Stirling in 1967. In 1969 Stirling made the Grand Final against Mt Barker and while Chris kicked 3 goals in the match as a ruck rover and half forward, Mounts went on to win the first of 3 Premierships in a row.
Chris retired from playing at 25 but took up long distance running, going on to complete 6 marathons, 13 City-Bay Runs and numerous other fun runs.
Aside from playing sport, Chris worked for the Education Department for his entire 43 year career and achieved qualifications in accounting and business management. He used those qualifications in many committee positions across so many sporting and community organisations and has always been a passionate advocate for this area.
Achievements during his incredible community service are far too numerous to cover today but include: Life Member of the Stirling Cricket Club, Life Member of the Mount Lofty Districts Historical Society and recipient of the Regional Historian of the year on 2 occasions.
His love of the area and passion for its history has seen Chris author many books including “Stirling: A Personal View” and of great interest to us all “Recreation Reserve No.2” which covers the history, from the late 1800’s, of this reserve on which the Heathfield Oval was built.
We are recognising today though, Chris’s wonderful service to the Mt Lofty Football Club which has seen him carry out roles of Club Secretary, Club Delegate to the Hills Football League, Team Manager, Time Keeper and rewriting the Constitutions for the Football Club and the Community and Sports Club.
