Historic club stories through swans’ eyes

DON Ross joined Ballarat Football Netball Club for preseason training at the end of 1980, literally kicking off his first footy game with the side in 1981.

A passionate member for over 40 years, he’s written a book sharing the club’s story from the period when he first became a Swan, until 2020.

Honesty Without Malice is 127 pages of “history and yarns” from the perspective of Ross, and BFNC community members, with plenty of old and more recent photos rediscovered in storage or on smartphones.

The publication has many moments to share, but the author has a few of his own favourites.

“In 1988, we had three premierships in a week. The under-18s won one week, the reserves won, and then the seniors won,” Ross said.

“The next major highlight is the 2008 premiership, which John Northey coached. I also enjoyed the day we put the structural steel up on our new clubrooms, and I was in a scissor-lift outside watching the end of a Melton South game.”

Part of the Club fabric “for two or three generations,” Ross has played, coached, umpired and more, however an element of community sport has kept him involved.

“Some of the blokes I coached are 50 now… but working with young people has kept me young. We’ve got 800 kids within boys’ and girls’ footy, and netball,” he said.

“Our Club is so old, dating back to 1860. I think we’re the oldest regional sporting club in Australia. We’ve got a lot of respect for our history.

“There’s lots going on here, and we have so many great families.”

Copies of Honesty Without Malice can be purchased from the club or the Swans shop on facebook.com/BALLARATofficial.