Yallourn Football Club YFC 1945 - 1965 - John Hutchinson

60 YEARS AGO~
1953: JOHN HUTCHINSON PLAYS HIS FIRST SENIOR GAME FOR YFC.

No history of Yallourn Football Club (1945-65) would be complete without a chapter devoted to John Hutchinson. He was a ‘local hero’ and civic leader in many of the activities and affairs of the township. He built a healthy reputation on the sporting fields of Yallourn, particularly in football and cricket.

John was an outstanding footballer and a dedicated coach who was untiring in his efforts to maintain and strengthen the Yallourn Football Club.
This is the story of John and his remarkable family.

THE EARLY YEARS.
John was born in 1936 (the son of Jock & Beryl) at the Yallourn Hospital. During World WarII, John attended Caulfield South Primary School (1941-45). When the family returned to Yallourn in 1946, John was enrolled at the Yallourn High School. He was a serious minded and diligent pupil and achieved satisfying results in his Matriculation year. John was an elected YHS Prefect and was also the House Captain of Mawson in that year.
John loved sport and, from a young age, displayed qualities of leadership. He was captain of the cricket XI and vice-captain of the YHS football team. (Note: John met Norma Davey at YHS. They married in 1957).
John then studied at the Yallourn Technical School and was successful in gaining a Diploma of Mechanical Engineering in 1956.

Junior football was limited in Yallourn in the 1950’s and, like so many boys of that era, John played soccer with St John’s Under: 14 team. (He was a member of the premiership & championship title team of YSC). John liked soccer, but couldn’t wait for the day to start training with the Yallourn Under: 16 football team. (Wally George was the coach).

John honed his kicking and marking skills with regular practise and heeded Wally’s advice on the importance of training. The role of junior coaches is crucial in developing young footballers and John was lucky in this regard as his next coach was Peter O’Neill. (Latrobe Valley Churches Junior Football League ~Under: 19’s.) Peter was one of the greatest footballers and clubmen in YFC’s history. He captained the Blues to premierships in the 1930’s and was a ‘dynamo’ in driving YFC forward during the club’s ‘golden era.’ {Note: YFC won flags in 1925, 28, 31, 32, 33, 35, 36 and in 1939}. Peter was a gentleman and a ‘scholar’ of Australian Rules football. John was captain of the Under: 19 team in 1953 and profited from Peter’s wisdom and zeal. The team was most unlucky not to have won the 1953 Grand Final. In an enthralling contest Yallourn was defeated by one point.
John won the club’s Best & Fairest trophy and was second in the LVCJFL award. Subsequently, Frank Kelly invited John to train with the YFC seniors in preparation for the forthcoming CGFL finals.

LVFL FOOTBALL.
John was selected in the 1953 Preliminary Final team against Mirboo North FC at Leongatha. Being plucked from the local Churches League and taking his place alongside Kevin Fanning, Jimmy Shaw, George Bates, Bruce Knight, Stan Brown, Bernie Nairn, John Paice and Des Madden was a ‘dream come true’.

John still remembers Frank Kelly’s inspiring pre-match address and the Blues winning through to the Grand Final. The match, regarded as a ‘classic tug-o-war,’ resulted in a thrilling tie. John was unavailable for the Grand Final Replay the following week. In the last-ever game of the CGFL competition, Morwell hung on, in the dying minutes, to clinch the match and take the pennant by 5 points.

In 1954 (the first season of the LVFL), John played in the opening round against Trafalgar and ‘blitzed’ at half forward. He ‘won his spurs’ that day as a LVFL footballer. It was to be the start of a wonderful football career that would see John play 150 games for YFC.

John played in every position on the ground except fullback. While his physical strength and ‘attack on the ball’ made him a great forward; there are many who believed John played his best football for YFC at centre half back. He was one defender in the LVFL, who could contain and negate Bairnsdale’s brilliant forward Kevin Coverdale. It is fair to say that Kevin was the ‘super-star’ of Gippsland football in that era.

John retired in 1966 (see below) following the Semi Final against Warragul. John had seen hundreds of country footballers in those years but ranks Bob Mason (Sale) as a true champion. (Note: Ian Brewer, Bill Stephenson and Alan Morrow left Sale to play VFL football). Bob chose to ‘stay at home’ but John believes Bob would have ‘made the grade’.

Other players John admired were: - Ian Jennings (Moe), Terry Hunter (Traralgon), John Somerville (Yallourn TS/Moe/Essendon), Kevin Coverdale (Bairnsdale/Hawthorn), Alex Schuback (Sale), Brian Hammond (Traralgon) and Alan Steele (Moe).

John played with many talented YFC players over the years and listed Kevin Fanning, Jimmy Shaw, Rick Belford, Steve Szabo, Murray French, Brian Edmondson, Bruce Knight, Tony Radford and Ron Lee as ‘leaving their mark’ on local football.

HONOURS & AWARDS IN FOOTBALL
John’s impressive football career includes:
• Yallourn Under: 16 team member.
• Under: 19 Yallourn FC Captain. (LVCJFL )~1953.
• Runner- up Best & Fairest in LVCJFL~1953.
• CGFL Preliminary Final v Mirboo North~1953.
• CGFL Grand Final v Morwell~1953 (tied match).
• Senior playing career at YFC spanning 14 years (1953-1966).
• 150 senior games in CGFL & LVFL.
• 100 goals.
• Fitzroy Football Club~1957 & 1958.
• VFL Reserves First Semi-final v Collingwood~1958.
• Runner-up YFC Best & Fairest~1959.
• Most Determined Player 1960 &1961.
• YFC Players’ Representative ~1956, 60 &61.
• YFC Vice-captain~ 1960 &61.
• YFC Playing Coach~ 1962 &63.
• LVFL First Semi Final v Bairnsdale ~1960.
• LVFL First Semi Final v Warragul ~1966.

FOOTBALL AT FITZROY FC.
John came under notice in 1956 and the following season, Fitzroy’s coach Bill Stephen encouraged John to ‘try his luck’ with the Lions. John was granted three match permits by YFC and was selected in the opening round of the 1957 VFL season against the reigning premiers Melbourne.
John wore jumper number: 1 (which was a compliment to his ability) and lined up at full forward against the Melbourne and Victorian full back Peter Marquis. Peter was nicknamed ‘Trunk’ because of his thick stature and body strength. John did very well on Peter in his debut. He slotted an important goal and contributed towards an exciting win which shocked the public and ‘took the wind’ out of Melbourne’s sails. The Lions roared ‘long and loudly’ that night! The following week John played on Essendon’s dour full back Jack Knowles and kicked two early goals and impressed again. In his third VFL game, John drew Keith Drinan (St Kilda’s skipper and one of the toughest fullbacks of that era). John’s 'true boot’ deserted him that day and he finished with four behinds.

The match permits ran-out and John returned to YFC and to undertake eleven weeks of compulsory National Service training. John’s time at Fitzroy was brief but the benefits of the experience were immeasurable. He had met the ‘greatest Lion of all’ (Kevin Murray) and had become team mates with such figures as Tony Ongarello, Alan ‘Butch’ Gale, Owen Abrahams, Graham Campbell, Rod Vernon, Graham Knight, Ian Aston, Graeme McKenzie, Bob Henderson and Wally Clarke. Footballers of such ilk would leave an indelible impression on any young footballer. John was no exception.

John returned to Fitzroy in 1958. Len Smith had taken over as coach and John played a season in the reserves. The highlight for John was playing in a Semi Final against Collingwood at the MCG. (VFL records indicate that the crowd numbered 68,213 on that day.) It was his last game with Fitzroy but the things John had learnt from Bill Stephen and Len Smith would remain ‘firmly planted in his mind’.

COACHING AT YALLOURN.
From 1952-66, John’s coaches were: Wally George (1952), Peter O’ Neill (1953), Frank Kelly (1953), Jack Aitken (1954), Gerald Marchesi (1955-56), Vin Sabbatucci (1957), Vic Lawrence (1958-59), Jim Dorgan (1960-61) and Mike Collins (1966). John was YFC coach in 1962&63 and not forgetting Bill Stephen and, the doyen of VFL coaches, Len Smith

John was twenty one when he met Len Smith. Len’s philosophy and ‘firm but fair’ discipline were to be John’s guiding principles when he coached the Blues in 1962 and 1963.
“…the name of Len Smith is revered. A quiet, humble man who was remembered for his sincerity and patience with young players, he was also one of the first coaches to believe in the play-on game”
John learnt a lot about ‘attitude, aptitude and fortitude’ from Len and it helped ‘shape his life’ in many ways. Great coaches have this effect on young men.

John was also at Fitzroy when Len introduced the flick pass (hitting or pushing the ball with an open hand). The flick pass was a ‘game changer’ that Len employed with great effect to beat taller opposition. The ‘flick pass’ ball could travel at greater speed and further than the traditional ‘clenched fist’ handball. John introduced the flick pass at YFC and gave the Blues’ running game an added dimension. (Note: The flick pass had been outlawed in VFL and VCFL football by the mid 1960’s).

Former YFC footballers say that John was a modern, innovative and resourceful coach. John’s belief in ‘peak fitness’ didn’t suit every player but to John it was crucial for team success at Yallourn…
“The difference between VFL and LVFL players was that the best country footballers were often the worst trainers on the track. That had to be reversed because the best footballers in the VFL trained the hardest”.
According to John… “football is the greatest team game in the world.” This was reflected in his planning, preparation and playing as a coach. John stressed the importance of team work and support for each other.
John’s strategy was simple but effective…
“…win possession, use the ball properly, hit moving targets and run harder and longer than your opponent.”
1962 was a ‘year of great hope’ for YFC. John’s coaching, based on Len Smith’s principles, took effect.
John remembers…
“The best win, as a coach, was against Maffra in 1962. Things came together that day and the Blues ‘ran over’ the highly fancied Maffra combination and won by ten goals”.
Coaching can be tidal…there are ‘highs and lows’… these are part of the cycle.
John’s most disappointing memory, as a coach, was the defeat at Bairnsdale in 1962. After leading from the opening bounce, the questionable tactics employed by the Redlegs, in the second half, ‘crippled’ any hope of a Yallourn victory.

Those at Bairnsdale have never forgotten how the poor umpiring decisions, on that occasion, allowed the game to become ‘out of control, heated and finally…explosive’. It degenerated into a spiteful affair. John led with courage that day. It was also the day when Tom Garland (Richmond 1963-64) stamped his name as a future VFL footballer. John cannot forget what his young team suffered. After the game the YFC rooms resembled a MASH Unit with…
“…a broken jaw, depressed cheekbone, broken nose, cracked skull.”
As John said…
“What added pain to injury was the fact that we lost the match”.
John stepped down from coaching at the end of the 1963 season and the ‘YFC Annual Report complimented him on his endeavours in his two year stint...
“John…as Senior Coach…trained the team well throughout the year and carried out the duties of his appointment with a sincere love of the club and honesty of purpose. Our youthful team members have benefited from the experience gained under his leadership...”
John returned to play in 1966 when ex-Melbourne back man Mike Collins coached the Blues. {Note: Mike is the brother of former Yallourn FC/Melbourne and Victorian star Geoff Collins. (Geoff captained Melbourne FC in 1954. He was also ‘cited for bravery’ during the Korean War where he served as a pilot with the RAAF). Mike’s father (Jack) was a brilliant Melbourne winger (1923-31) and was the president of YFC when Yallourn won the CGFL flag in 1948}.

After retiring from football in 1966, John was back assisting and guiding YFC junior footballers. John, Ron Lee, Murray French, Jack Robertson and Don Mc Alister played an important part in encouraging youngsters to join YFC and enjoy the game of football.

JOHN’S THOUGHTS ABOUT YALLOURN
John’s own words are probably the best way to finish this tale…
“I loved growing up in Yallourn. It had wonderful sporting facilities and great people working to ensure kids and adults were well supported in their chosen sports and activities….
It was satisfying to work in Yallourn where people helped each other, and appreciated the importance of team work to carry out their designated tasks…
Yallourn was always a special place to bring up kids, educate them and help them to build rewarding and meaningful lives.”
The continuing energy generated by YOGA is testimony to the commitment that people gave to Yallourn and its institutions…”

It is true that the friendship, comradeship and community spirit that John did so much to foster in those years, by his own example, still lives on.

FOOTNOTES ~

CRICKET, CMF & SECV.
1. Like his father (Jock), John was an excellent cricketer. John captained Yallourn CC and was an opening bowler and hard hitting middle order batsman. John’s bowling (9/58 in both innings) in the 1962-63 CGCA Final against Yallourn Colts ‘swung the game’ and gave Yallourn ultimate victory. His other great cricket highlight was 5/32 and 32 not out against Moe CC in the 1967-8 premiership win. When playing for St John’s as a youngster, John took 8/7 (including a hat trick) against Morwell CC. John was fortunate enough to represent CGCA against Melbourne ‘29er’s’ on the ‘hallowed turf’ of the MCG. John was a very popular figure in YCC and was always willing to help young cricketers improve their batting and bowling skills. John’s friends and teammates at YCC, Ken Grant (fast bowler) and Dick Sagar (wicketkeeper) both represented the Victorian Country XI against Len Hutton’s touring MCC team at Yallourn in February 1955. Stan Ostlund (Sonja’s brother) was a stylish opening batsman for YCC in that era.

2. As mentioned earlier, John completed National Service in 1957. He then served for 26 years with the CMF and reached the rank of Lt. Colonel. John was the ‘Officer Commanding 38 Field Squadron Royal Australian Engineers Yallourn’ for seven years. His other CMF honours and decorations included OAM, RFD, ED and FIE (Aust).

3. On retirement from the SECV, John held the title of ‘General Manager –Power Grid’. Prior to that, John was the ‘General Manager-Production (LV)’ for five years. From his earliest days as a power station engineer, John valued his work and undertook his responsibilities with pride and care. John was aware of the constant demands and inherent risks in the power industry and he acknowledged and respected the dedication of SECV workers that he met in the course of his duties.

THE HUTCHINSON FAMILY.
4. Peter (John’s son) played senior football with YFC in 1974. The following year he left home and joined the Army as a Staff Cadet and graduated from the Royal Military College, Duntroon in 1979. During an illustrious ADF service career of 32 years, Peter rose to the rank of Brigadier. Peter was awarded the Military Cross (DSC) for his distinguished leadership as Commander, Joint Task Force 633 based in Iraq. Peter’s service record also includes Commander of the ADF contingent in the Middle East and service with the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization in Israel and Golan Heights. Several photos and articles on the web highlight Peter’s achievements and distinguished career as an officer of the ADF.

5. John’s other son, Michael, has an imposing record in country football. Michael played 200 games for Newborough FC and won three consecutive NFC Best & Fairest Awards. In 1987, Michael shared ‘The Elder-Berwick’ Award for the Best & Fairest in the MGFL with Bruce Clark (Mirboo North) and Wayne Paulet (Yallourn-Yallourn North). Michael played in three MGFL premiership teams with NFC and is a Life Member of the club. Michael coached Churchill FC to two NGFL Grand Finals.

6. John’s brother, Peter, matriculated at YHS and, like John, was a Prefect and also the House Captain of Mawson. Peter is one of the most celebrated footballers to have ever played in the VAFA. Peter played 363 games with Power House FC. He captained the team for six years and won seven club Best & Fairest awards. Peter is a Life Member of the VAFA and was recently named a "VAFA Legend”. Peter also coached Camberwell Grammar Old Boys in the VAFA.

7. Mary (John’s sister) attended YHS and was an admired and gifted sportsperson. She came under notice in netball in the early 1960’s as ‘a player of immense ability’. In time, Mary established herself as an elite player and represented Victoria for 13 years and was named in the Australian squad on two occasions. Mary is the co-author (with former Australian Netball Captain, Norma Plummer) of a series of books on skill development for young netballers. Mary was a highly respected Physical Education teacher at Yarra Valley Grammar School for more than thirty years and has been a leading figure in promoting volley ball in Victoria. Norma was a prominent member of the Yallourn Tennis Club and, in later years, was a most able and keen golfer.

8. Norma’s brother (Les Davey) played LVFL football at YFC as a ruckman.

9. John and Norma have enjoyed a long association with golf and for the last twelve years have played a central role in organizing the ‘Gippsland Rotary Classic.’ This popular golf tournament is held annually at the Yallourn Golf Club.

Written by Roger Spaull for Virtual Yallourn~ January 2013.

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