Club to look back on premiership

DUNNSTOWN Football Netball Club members have a big day ahead of them during and after tomorrow’s (Saturday, June 1) match against Waubra.

With all club alumni invited to attend, the club is set to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their 1994 premiership season which will be followed later in the evening by their annual ball.

Billed as their Back to Dunnstown Day, the club’s past players co-ordinator Shane Murphy, who was part of the team during their anniversary season, said a key aim will be to highlight its historical significance.

“That was our centenary year for the club and we went through undefeated,” he said. “We’re the last team from Central Highlands to go through undefeated.

“It started quite an era for us where we played six grand finals in a row. We won about 34 games in a row too which is still a record for Central Highlands.

“With that premiership, there was a sense of a journey for the club. It was very competitive and at that time we had the distinction of losing five grand finals in the ’80s.

“We really were the Collingwood of the league back then and we had a monkey on our back. The sense of relief to win that premiership in 1994 was something the whole township will look back on fondly.”

A presentation will be held during half time which will see the premiership players presented while the grand final match will be displayed alongside archival material from the era.

Following that, the club’s annual ball will be held at Freight Bar from 7.30pm featuring live music and finger food provided.

Two ticket options are available via the club’s website, ranging from $35 to a $100 inclusive four-hour drinks package.

Mr Murphy said the jam-packed day will be huge for the club.

“We always have our annual ball once a year so it’s a perfect time to have everything on the day to make a real day of it,” he said. “The ball will probably double in size so it’s perfect timing to make the most of it while everyone’s already there.”