Sports played in Inverleigh

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Racing

Racing seems to have been a favourite sport amongst the very early settlers. The first race course was on Woolbrook in a flat paddock at the top of the hill overlooking the town. Most of the races were battled out between three or four local horses. more often than not ridden by their owners. A local story relates that the committee found it difficult to make a profit on the gate because every body climbed through the fence. Determined to put an end to this. they laboriously painted the wires with black oil. It is not known whether they made a greater profit. but there were some very dirty and shamefaced people watching the races.

The Geelong Advertiser of 1861 records the fact that The Inverleigh Annual Races were a huge success. Stewards were Mr. Stout and Mr Boyce the treasurer was Mr Oram and Mr. Murrell was Secretary. The card included five events:-

Settling took place the next day in the Inverleigh Hotel.

Local tribes of aborigines also attended and added to the entertainment by throwing boomerangs in return for whisky. After the first track closed, Mr Charles Fuller made a paddock available on the Hamilton Highway just west of the town. Here race meetings were held until the turn of the century. Mrs. Reddin ran the refreshment room.

James Wilson operated a large racing stable on the Inverleigh-Shelford Road. He was known as one of Australia's celebrated racing men. Here, on Leigh Estate, such famous horses as My Dream and Gasworks were trained. Strings of race horses were often seen moving through the town. James Wilson later established the famous St.Albans racing stud in Geelong.

Inverleigh's connection with the racing world was continued when Mr. E.T. Pearce bought Struan Park on the Leigh River. From the late 1930's to the mid 1960's several fine horses made their imprint on the V.R.C. records.

Man Rex raced before the Second World War. Bell's Rebel was bred by Mr. Pearce and raced in the 1950's. Struan Mist was without doubt the most famous and best remembered of the Struan Park horses, raced in the early 1960's. In 1961 he won five consecutive steeple chases, and carried the massive weight of 11 stone 1 lb. in the 1961 Grand National

Struan Mist

Lady Bao won the Maiden Plate at Geelong in 1958 but unfortunately later fell and was destroyed.

Sans Joseph began to win in 1965 just before the death of Mr. Pearce.

For many years fine horses had been bred on Leigh Park but it was not until the late 1940's that any thought was given to racing them. The Hutchins' mare Trendevon was given a free service to the famous St. Albans horse Great Britain in return for a few bags of oats. The result was Great Leigh whom many people will remember racing in Geelong and Melbourne.

Trendevon's next foal was by Enfield, also standing at St. Albans. He was named Devonfield and showed tremendous promise but suspect legs made him hard to train, and he broke down in the Australian Cup. He drew barrier 28 in the 1955 Melbourne Cup and led the field to the furlong post where he weakened badly. Soon after that he broke down and never raced again.

Ridicule was purchased at the Sydney yearling sales in 1962 by Bob Hutchins for 2,900 guineas Despite a bleeding problem he went on to win all over the country frequently starting favourite and carrying enormous weights as the penalty for his ability. He raced best straight out of his paddock at Leigh Park and refused to drink when stabled, thus making him a difficult horse to race far from home. Once while in Queensland Ridicule refused to drink the water provided and Robert Hutchins had to fly to Brisbane with a container of dam water. He ended his successful career with a win in Geelong at the age of 12. He lives at Leigh Park and at 17 still looks a winner.

Sir Doroq, like Ridicule, was by Good Brandy and after winning some country races was switched to jumping with success. In 1971 Sir Doroq and Ridicule won the T.A.B. Double at Ballarat, and a professional punter named "Melbourne Mick" claimed to have won $60,000 on the double.

Race horses are still being bred on Leigh Park and no doubt Inverleigh hearts will again miss a few beats as "their" horse of the future carries their bets to the post.

Golf Club

The Inverleigh Golf Club began in 1937 but the game was being played in the district long before that date. In 1929 or 1930, Mr Stan McMillan designed his own nine hole course on Englewood Park. Newspaper articles of the day describe it as a very challenging course which only the McMillan family really knew how to negotiate, but members of that same family proved that they could handle many other district courses in championship style as the trophy boards indicate.

This first course reverted to its natural state about 1949-50.

Mr. J. Stewart, head teacher of the local school and Mr. D.Brady, officer in charge of the Inverleigh Police Station called a meeting in the public hall on 16th June 1937 to form a golf club. Land was rented from the McCallum Brothers for 3 Pounds for a period of a little over three months to layout a nine hole course with sand scrapes. Members fees were 7/6 and associates 4/- per annum.

There were 21 members and 31 associates. Players met under a gum tree near the gate of Argyle Park to collect cards and draw partners. There was no finance available to build a club house.

Assets in 1937 were a nine hole course layout, nine sand scrapes, nine flags, nine putting tins, one rake, one pitchfork, one gum tree serving as a club house.

The club was disbanded in 1942 and re-formed after the War.

The club moved from the McCallum's property to the Pearce's land in 1973. This year (1978) it is hoped to play on the new course situated in the Inverleigh bush.

Office bearers include:-

Gun Club

A public meeting was convened early in 1948. Response was so great that it was decided to start a gun club, The first site was at the West end of Victoria Park. Membership grew and the site became too small so 10 acres was bought North of the railway line and bounded by Cemetery Road. The club was opened by Sir Henry Bolte and functioned for many years. It closed when the shooting of live birds became illegal in 1957. A team from the club won the 1956 Victorian teams championship. With the closing of the club, the land and pavilion were sold and the proceeds divided amongst the financial members.

Rifle Range

There was a rifle range on the river flat below the Mill on Barwonleigh. Butts were built on the flat facing Venter's Hill bank above the Barwon. When it was opened and for how long it functioned is not known, receipts for ammunition dated 3rd March 1906 are in existence. On 28th June 1907 a Concert and Ball was given. Admission was 1/-. A.H. Cations was Secretary and the annual prizes were presented by Captain McDonald.

Tennis Club

The tennis club was inaugurated on 6th June 1929. Mr. J.J. McDonald was the first president and Miss A. McDonald and Mr. Wilson filled the role of joint treasurer-secretary. Membership fees were Gentlemen 7/6d. and ladies 5/-.

P Kelly was captain. The club applied to join the Barwonleigh Association in September 1929. Construction of a court began on 1Oth October 1929. A dozen tennis balls at the time cost 14/4d. A shed was built in !930. A drop in membership fees from 7/6d to 5/- in 1933 indicates the effect of the depression on the town.

Teams Playing in the Barwonleigh Association were:

In November 1935, the club withdrew from the Barwonleigh Association. In October 1937 a team was entered in the Leigh Association.

In July 1943, the Club was disbanded. The shed was sold to Mr Gallagher for 20 Pounds and the wire netting and posts to Mr Gary for 4 Pounds.

In April 1948, a public meeting was held to reform the club on land donated by Mr. H. Allen. For some years the club used courts at St. Pauls and Sacred Heart churches. One of the basic sources of income for the club has been the two day Christmas Tournaments. The club joined the Bannockburn Association and introduced the Foster McConachy Shield - an under 15 competition in 1956.

The first court was tarred in 1957 and a pavillion erected at a cost of 99 Pounds ten shillings. In 1963 the courts were torn up and reconsolidated. In 1973 land was acquired adjoining the original block where two new courts were later constructed. 1974 saw the erection of a new brick pavilion.

The club has been very successful since it joined the Bannockburn Association and rarely a season has gone by when Inverleigh has not managed to win at least one premiership.

Football

The first football match was played between Inverleigh and Winchelsea on Barwon Park 4 miles from Winchelsea in 1875. Each team consisted of 20 middle aged men. The practice of rabbiting was prohibited but no other rules were enforced. The result of the match has not been recorded.

In 1879, however, a combined Inverleigh - Winchelsea team defeated the Geelong team.

The Grand stand at Victoria Park was built before the lst World War by Dick Bourke for 125 Pounds.

As time went by competitions were formed and in 1914 Inverleigh were premiers of the Leigh Association. The game was played at Teesdale against a Bannockburn team. Since then the club has competed for many trophies in various competitions. The following are premierships won by Inverleigh:- Austin Cup 1919, Leigh Football Association Cup 1923, Mathieson Cup 1927, Elliot Cups 1946, 1949, 1950.

Inverleigh Premiers 1914 - click to enlarge

When local competition ended, Inverleigh joined the Geelong and District Football League in the Woolworth Cup section and were premiers in 1961. In the following years junior teams were formed, and in 1963 the Under 15 team were premiers. Premierships were won in 1966 by the Under 18's 1970 by the Under 15's and in 1974 by the Leigh Districts Reserves. The club has produced many accomplished players, some of whom have played Victorian League Football.

Netball

The Inverleigh Netball Club was started by Mrs. Vi Martin in 1962. she was responsible for paying their affiliation fee and providing them with a ball. In 1967 when Mrs Martin resigned there were two teams. She has retained her interest in the club by donating a trophy each year. Mrs Merle Murray took an interest in the club in 1969 and as well as coaching two senior teams proved to be a very keen player and a good umpire. In 1971 Mrs Peg Morrison assisted Mrs Murray by coaching two junior teams. It was a loss to the club when Mrs Murray resigned. The junior age has been reduced to six years old resulting in four junior and three senior teams for Winter and Summer competition. Fifty four girls were registered last season. The club has to its credit 12 premierships and 13 Runners- up since 1971, as well as Best Conducted Senior and Junior Teams, and Goal Throwing awards. Inverleigh girls have on numerous occasions been selected for Country Week and other tournaments winning two premierships. An excellent percentage of senior girls have passed umpire's examinations.

Cricket Club

Records prior to 1935 were destroyed by floods in 1951, and the following notes have been compiled after consultation with players and officials of years gone by.

The earliest record to hand is a photograph of the 1904 team which was Premier and Champion. Descendants or relatives of many of the members of that team have represented the club over the past years, including the present season.

Cricket matches have always been a part of the sporting calendar of the Inverleigh district and matches against neighbouring towns have been played as far back as the early 1900's, with the exception of a period during each of the two World Wars when the club went into recess.

Up until the middle 1920's matches were organised locally between the towns, there being no Association with which to affiliate. Matches played during this period were played on a dirt pitch covered with matting and was located on a block of ground in Park St, now owned by Mr. E. Perrett.

When the Association was first formed in the mid twenties, a concrete pitch was laid at Victoria Park and matting was laid down for each game, until 1955 when malthroid was first used. To raise funds to defray the cost of the concrete, a very successful minstrel concert was arranged.

The club enjoyed a very successful period from 1945 to the 1960's when it was never out of the Grand Final and was beaten for the Premiership on only one or two occasions.

In the season 1969-70 two teams were formed to compete in the Leigh Cricket Association, and perhaps this was the forerunner of the formation of an A and B Grade within the Association.

Inverleigh Cricket Team - click to enlarge