Buninyong FNC to celebrate 150

PAST and present players, coaches, committee members, sponsors and supporters are invited to celebrate 150 years of the Buninyong Football Netball Club.

The celebrations will begin on Friday 11 April with a gathering in the clubrooms with nibbles and drinks, before game day at the same venue on Saturday 12 April with guest speakers, a barbecue and presentations.

“We need to commemorate it because when I look back at the history of clubs in the league, there’s only one other which is Hepburn in the Central Highlands league, that’s reached 150,” celebration committee member Tania Innes said.

On 26 May 1875, a meeting was held at Buninyong’s Crown Hotel about forming a football club, and the first match was played in June.

There was no changing room or president and only one team with 17 players.

The club won its first premiership in 1935, and since then there have been 48 more in both football and netball.

Ms Innes said one of the biggest changes across her time at the club is the way it has become more of a family-centred organisation.

“The thing that I’ve noticed is it’s more family orientated now with implementing juniors in football and netball,” she said.

“It’s a real family affair now.”

Ms Innes encouraged current and past community members to come along and reflect on the past.

“It’s a great way to catch up with people because I know there’s people back from a number of years ago,” she said.

“I think they need to see how far the club has come.”

Attendees are asked to RSVP by Wednesday 2 April to [email protected] .