Norm Hall - Yallourn Football Club YFC

I read with interest Roger Spaull’s article about Kevin Gordon and forward the following contribution to the Virtual Yallourn site...by Norm Hall Feb 2013

The Gordon’s were our neighbours in Tanjil Crescent, separated by a laneway which ran to our respective garages. In our teenage years, Kevin was a good mate, but tragically was one of many who were killed in car crashes at such a young age. Kevin was a member of our teenage club which was founded by Les Hutchison, Bob Docking, Robert Barton, Merv Cusworth and Norm Hall. This club had the backing of Paddy McIvor the local policeman, who had a thorough understanding about the youth social problems which existed at that period. In some instances, the youth of today could be called angels compared to the some of the activities which happened in Yallourn during those days. However on Paddy’s suggestion, we formed a teenage club, which had a membership of youth not just from Yallourn, but from neighbouring towns.

The main activity was to have weekly rock and roll dances on a Sunday afternoon in a small room at the rear of the basketball stadium. These dances often had over 100 teenagers present with absolutely no involvement of parents or adults. Our code of conduct was excellent and I cannot recall any trouble. Further activities included rock and roll concerts held at Kernot Hall to sell-out crowds from all over the Valley. These concerts featured a band called the Thunderbirds, who at that time were one of the top bands in the country. Les Hutchison, Bob Docking and I hitchhiked to Melbourne and approached the band's manager to perform in Yallourn. We negotiated a price and staged not one, but two such events, which included much work in ticket sales etc. These events had no backing or contribution from any adults and our parents probably never even knew what we were up to.

Looking back, I think Les and a few of us may have made big time in the entertainment field if we stuck at it. It was through the teenage club that many of us met our better halves. I met my wife, Jan, on a club snow trip to Mt Baw Baw on which we hired a bus and I am sure there are still a few who may remember that trip.

I, like many others, played footy with Yallourn and often mention to those who may be interested (not many these days) that to run out on the number one oval put a spring into ones step like no other ground in the district. The surface of the oval was prepared by Bob MacGregor and staff who were permanently employed by the SECV to maintain the Yallourn sporting grounds. I remember Bob would watch training like a hawk and was quick to stop anything that would harm “his preparation work” whether it was football, cricket or any other event.

I first started out playing soccer as no junior footy had commenced at that stage. Eventually when junior footy started, we played on a paddock which was at the rear of houses which were the closest to Herne’s Oak. I remember the teams were called the Reds and Blues due to the colour of jumpers. Our mode of transport to such places as Hill End, Yallourn North and Moe was in the back of a furniture truck. I remember playing in a final at Moe where I was pitted against a boy called Bryce, who was the best junior player in the District.

My next move was to play one game at the end of the season with the Yallourn Churches at Sale. One of the leading players in that team was Geoff Hall (no relation) who I observed could turn on a threepenny bit and I marvelled at his skills with the ball. As my junior football progressed I was fortunate to captain the Latrobe Valley schoolboy’s side to compete in Melbourne. As a result of this carnival, I was picked to represent Victoria in the National competition during season 1957. I remember that Ross Smith (St Kilda coach & Brownlow medallist) was captain of that side which included many future VFL stars.

After junior footy, I played with Yallourn Thirds where I was coached by Joe Carmody, who combined his knowledge of athletics and his tactical skills from watching his “Bombers play in the VFL” onto us, which gave many of us a long career in footy and other sports. Joe was not only a fine coach but he took an interest in our personal development as well. We had team meetings prior to a game in his Guest House room which was also used as a medical room to remove bruises under his heat lamp, followed by applications of liniment. Joe was the manager of the local menswear shop, where we would often congregate to discuss footy or life in general. It would be fair to say that Joe took the place of parents who took little interest in sport or what their kids were up to. On several occasions we all piled into the back of Joe's vehicle to watch the Bombers play at Windy Hill. I was captain that year and was fortunate to win the club & league best and fairest. Our team was runner-up to Moe after beating them in the second semi final. We were favoured to win but our centre half forward, Slavco Petric, was rubbed out for striking Eric Tabuteau and I had little use of one arm due to a carbuncle. The new Burrage reserve oval was packed out for that game. (In later years, Joe coached my youngest son in athletics and I caught up with him again. I had the pleasure of my Civil Construction Company build the Joe Carmody Athletic complex at Newborough and it was a fitting tribute to a great man.)

The next season, I was picked in the senior side where I played for several years. I recall the year our coach, Jimmy Dorgan, had a car accident prior to the semi-final against Bairnsdale played at Sale. First gamer Graeme McHenry took Jim's place on the half back flank and I was on the other one. We were both 17 and possibly the youngest senior players at the time. Yallourn were in front at three-quarter time but were overwhelmed in the last quarter when Kevin Coverdale kicked 6 goals to get Bairnsdale the win.

I went on to play footy with other clubs including Croydon where Ricky Belford (former team mate at Yallourn) was the coach. My love of footy was such that I played until I was 34 wearing contact lenses and can thank the Yallourn Football Ladies Committee for the purchase of my first pair. (Sorry to all those players I did not kick the ball to.) I would like to catch up with old players and schoolmates at the next Woorabinda YOGA reunion.

Norm Hall
PO Box 464
Cowes 3922