Almanac Footy: ‘What Happened Here? – A Story About Country Football’
Recently, I came across the following video produced by Oscar Hirth titled, What Happened Here? A story about country football on Facebook and it immediately attracted my attention for a few reasons.
The video features some country footy leagues and teams known to me to the north of where I live; it highlights the diminishing role country footy clubs now play in smaller country communities; it brings back fond memories of following my dad when he played footy in his late 30s early 40s against teams that in many cases no longer exist, so I identify strongly with the theme presented in the video; and lastly, it is a theme that resonates well with the nature of the Footy Almanac concept as I’m certain it does so with many of the Almanac family as well.
As is in so many cases of now defunct footy clubs and leagues there must be an incredible amount of untold stories, certainly to wider communities, that are waiting, and need to be told and shared. This video provides the opportunity to stimulate such discussion – and what better forum to share these stories than on the Footy Almanac site.
If you do have a story you wish to share on the site we are more than happy to accomodate you. Guidelines for presenting stories on the site can be found Here.
More from Col Ritchie can be read Here
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About Colin Ritchie
Retired teacher who enjoys following the Bombers, listening to music especially Bob Dylan, reading, and swimming.
Some great social history there Col.
Thanks for pointing out.
This was a great watch, Col, thanks for sharing with us – many similar stories where I grew up in Gippsland too
Col, I was fortunate enough to see this on Facebook recently, and thought it was very well done.
I have driven from Ballarat to Apollo Bay (and vice versa) a number of times recently, so I am familiar with a number of those towns.
Just fascinating.
Thanks for sharing the video Col. I think it is particularly well produced. The images and personal recounts help to illuminate the historical trajectory of country footy in that region and beyond. Well done to the narrator and producer who weave the economic and social perspectives neatly into the storyline.
The theme of abandoned country footy grounds and lost footy clubs/leagues is one which resonates strongly with me.
Readers of my 2024 Almanac series Revelling in the Riverina would be aware of similar experiences as illustrated by stories from places such as Four Corners, Rannock, Balldale, Moombooldool and many more.