WFC celebrating sponsors and life members

WALLAROO Football Club is celebrating its sponsors and life members when its teams take on Kadina at home on Saturday, July 2.

President Andy West said it was important to recognise the people who kept the club alive.

“Our sponsors and life members are an integral part of our club and we would like to remind them of that,” Mr West said.

“Sponsors and life members are invited to join the Wallaroo Football Club committee for a light snack and a few drinks during the halftime break of the A grade game.

“Games will be played at their usual times with the Under 14s from 10am, U17s 11.20am, B grade begins at 12.55pm and the A grade clash will get underway at 2.40pm.

“We hope to see as many sponsors and life members up at the club for a great day out.”

The junior committee will be supplying lamb and chicken yiros for just $15 across the day from 12.30pm until sold out.

“There will be a family quiz night for all to enjoy from 8pm, with great prizes up for grabs, a coin toss and silent auction,” Mr West said.

“Tables of eight can be submitted, at $10 per person, the bar will be open and people can bring their own nibbles for the table.

“This is a fundraiser for the junior grades with all money raised going back into the junior committee to distribute to the junior teams for events, game days, or during or after the season.

“We always encourage people to hang around after the game for our junior and senior player presentations.”

For more information, keep up to date on the Wallaroo Football Club Facebook page.

Alternatively, contact the club via email wallaroofc@sanflcfl.com.au or call Andy West 0418 859 646 or, to book a table at the quiz night, Tom Nolan 0418 814 692.

Des Westlake is football club’s newest life member

DES Westlake was made a life member of Wallaroo Football Club in October last year.

He was awarded the honour at the end-of-year presentations in front of club officials, family and friends.

“To receive life membership that night was a huge surprise,” Des said.

“You don’t go into a club thinking life membership is the end goal, it’s not about the recognition, but it’s a huge honour and something I am really proud of.

“There are now three generations of Westlakes on the life membership board — my grandfather, my father and now me — so it is extremely special to be recognised alongside of them.”

Des’s earliest memory of the Wallaroo Football Club is going to the oval as a young kid to watch the footy.

“I started my career as a mini in 1969, from there I went through the ranks from junior to senior colts, before playing my first game of senior football (B grade) in 1975,” he said.

“I won best and fairest in that first year which was special and then captained B grade the year after which I continued to captain on and off for 10 or more years.

“I got the best and fairest award again in 1978 and 1980 and got runner-up best and fairest every year in between.”

Des played in a premiership-winning B grade team in 1982, playing-coached the Bs in 1989, and altogether played more than 250 games for the Bulldogs.

“I retired from football in 1993 at the age of 35,” he said.

“I then joined the junior committee when my sons started playing football and continued until they went into their senior years and joined the senior committee.

“I’ve held president and vice-president roles and was the scribe for more than 10 years only giving it up this year.

“Now I just enjoy attending the football as a supporter and watching my sons play.”

Des has been a part of the Wallaroo Football Club for more than 55 years and said it was the working man’s club.

“Everything about our club was built by our members, they’ve all put in the hard yards, there is a real sense of community at Wallaroo,” he said.

“I would love to see our boys start to have some success like we did in the ‘90s which was such a dominant era for us— Wallaroo is the only club.”