New exhibition pays tribute to ‘Polly’ Farmer

THE Geelong Sports Museum is celebrating Geelong footballing legend Graham “Polly” Farmer with its latest exhibition.

Featuring artefacts and images from the Bob Gartland Collection and the Polly Farmer Foundation, Polly is a chance for visitors to look back on the past and share their own stories about Polly on the memory wall.

Kardinia Park Stadium Trust chief executive officer Gerard Griffin said Polly Farmer was the name they heard the most at the Geelong Sports Museum.

“Our childhood heroes still hold a special place in our hearts, and this is certainly the case for anyone who saw Polly play.

“This exhibition is a tribute to a man adored by fans who saw him as a friend.”

Farmer originally started playing Australian rules in Western Australia before joining the Geelong Cats, where he helped them win the 1963 premiership.

“Polly was key to the success of the Cats that year, but it was his influence on the game of football that people remember the most,” Mr Griffin said.

“Polly brought incredible skill to the ruck contest. He is also credited for changing the art of handballing from a defensive move to an offensive weapon.

“Polly’s handballs were legendary; some say they could travel 30 yards.”

While having a significant impact on the sport, his greatest legacy is the Polly Farmer Foundation, empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to succeed in school and achieve their career aspirations.

The foundation started in 1997 with 23 students, its Follow the Dream program now empowers more than 3000 students at 150 schools across Australia.

Farmer died in 2019 at the age of 84.

His daughter and vice chair of the foundation, Kim Farmer, said she was proud her dad was being honoured in the exhibition.

“It celebrates his profound connection with Geelong and the Cats and coincides with the recent establishment of our first Follow the Dream programs in Geelong.

“We thank Bob Gartland, who with his honour and respect, holds Dad’s football legacy closely, and we are delighted he shares some of it for this exhibition.”

Polly is now open and will run for 12 months.