Town Talk | Badminton, barns and big dreams

Our first contribution, about the history of badminton and the sports stadium, is from Jeanette Doherty, Shepparton’s ‘What do you need? I’ll do it’ volunteer.

She suggested this story - then said she’d give me notes.

The following story is written by Jeanette and I thought the ‘notes’ were more than good enough.

Badminton in Shepparton

Badminton has been played in the Shepparton area since the 1920’s, with interest lapsing during the war years.

In 1951, the local association reformed with three teams Presbyterian, Church of England and Methodist.

Badminton grew in popularity, with clubs entering teams into the competition from all over the Goulburn Valley.

Matches were played in a variety of halls such as Dhurringile, Wunghnu, Lemnos, Kaarimba as well as many Shepparton venues such as the Drill Hall, Youth Club and church halls.

The suppers after the matches were famous, with melt in the mouth sponges, creamed horns etc, with Pine Lodge excelling by supplying a magnificent pavlova for the hungry players.

For a while, the Shepp East team played in McDonald’s shed, where the tractor had to be driven out first so the net could be set up.

In between sets, the players sat on the drum platform.

It was also interesting to play in the drill hall, which had a good-sized gap between the top of the walls and the roof.

On a windy night, the wind would blow the shuttle all over the place, while it was in the air.

A lot of travelling was involved, especially the trip to Seymour.

There was no heating in any of the halls, and everyone had rugs and coats to keep warm between matches.

Often there were very late nights involved, sometimes not arriving home until 1am.

There was no height in the roof of some of these old halls to enable a ‘clear’, especially Dhurringile, which had a low flat roof; hence a very flat game had to be played.

All of the halls had rafters which were often hit during the course of a rally.

This was treated as a ‘let’ and the point had to be replayed, which caused some very long matches.

Wunghnu hall had the baseline 15 inches up one end wall and 15 inches up the stage - not ideal.

By 1967, we had many up-and-coming junior players, who were starting to compete at State level.

We were fortunate to have three top coaches in Ken Tyquin, Ian Malcolm and Norm Arthur.

Norm had a dream: a building with proper height, plenty of space for the courts and, of course, very good lighting.

He chased this dream with a passion, to the wonderful final result, with the full support of the executive.

Norm approached council to enquire about an area to be set aside for a dedicated badminton building of a suitable height.

Council advised that an area was set aside at Princess Park to accommodate this.

Norm scouted around and found a disused aeroplane hanger, which he thought would be suitable.

In 1968, Morwell Badminton Association was contacted to enquire about their new badminton centre, and the Astor theatre was inspected as a possible site for play in the interim.

Then, in 1971, Council had plans drawn up and tenders issued for the new building, on the site at Numurkah Rd.

They felt that a Sports Stadium would be the best option.

The table tennis association had come aboard during this time, as they also needed a dedicated area.

In July 1971, the fledgling basketball association approached to be involved also.

The Shepparton Sports Stadium

The stadium was completed in January 1972, with the official opening in March.

It was built to world standards.

As our stadium was the best in the State at the time, the hope was that we would have major badminton events here in Shepparton.

Unfortunately, we could not entice the top players out of Melbourne and Geelong.

However, our own Association, with nine existing clubs, prospered, and we had many prominent juniors playing in State sides.

They progressed into the senior ranks.

Our stadium was the envy of many other country areas.

Gradually, all matches were played at the stadium, which saw the demise of all the existing clubs.

However, in the 1980’s, a large Junior association was formed at the stadium, for the kids after school.

This went very well.

Badminton continues to be played there today, with the stadium now much larger than the original back in 1972.

It is a game for all ages – to be enjoyed by all.

* * * * * *

Other readers commented on last week’s story on The Dhurringile Boys Pipe Band.

Bill Chilcott

Hi Marnie,

I read your article in The News today and can inform you that in January 1960, all but Phillip Gordon had left the facility.

On Feb 4th, 1960, 12 boys arrived from Quarriers Village, Scotland.

A picture is attached of the group.

A couple of more groups arrived before the closure of the facility in 1963, when the remaining boys were transferred to Kilmany Home in Gippsland

Many of the boys are still alive, and only two remain in the Shepparton area.

I am sure, if you wished to piece more of the story together, that some of the boys would be willing to assist.

Geoff Allemand already has some stories in his files of these 1960’s boys.

Regards

Bill Chilcott

Pat Moran (a section of Pat’s long text message.)

Just read your great page, warms the cockles of my heart.

Phillip Gordon, in front row, died in June 10 years ago.

Had been neighbours and close family friends since 1968.

I am still called ‘Aunty’.

Jan Yates

I had a touching phone call from Ken Yates’ widow.

She was very grateful for the story and told me that, when Ken started playing football, he discovered he was playing Rugby, which he thought was Aussie Rules.

He made an adjustment.

Jan said that their grandchildren would be reading this.

Later that day, Jan and I had another conversation.

She told me a very moving story about going to Scotland and Ken meeting up with his mother in Aberdeen.

They spent substantial time together and he met his young sister.

It was, Jan said, a wonderful reunion and that Ken had a good life.

Jenni Daniels

Dear Marnie,

I really enjoyed your article on the Band.

I must say because my dad is in it, Phillip Gordon.

We have shared it among his children (6) as we didn’t know dad was in the band.

He didn’t speak about his time there much, so finding this article was amazing.

I would love to talk to Jim Forsyth if possible - about times there, as my dad died 10 yrs ago.

Please forward my email or number if at all possible.

Thanks again for the beautiful article on the history of Dhurringile Band, we really need stories like this.

Jenni Daniels

Note: the information has been taken to Jim.

From Sharon – On another topic

Good morning ‘Marnie’

I was just reading your column from yesterday (sorry, busy work day yesterday so only now catching up) and was interested in what you were saying about time going faster.

We often find that it seems to as we get older, and why is that?

I came across this video on Facebook recently and feel it sums it up nicely.

The main point in this video is that we don’t have as many novel experiences in our day as we used to when we were younger, when everything felt new and exciting, and it’s actually something I want to put back into my own days.

Hope you might get something out of this too.

Kind regards

Sharon

It might be difficult for some readers to access this video, but you’ve summed it up very well.

See video here: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1EoF453WTe/

It is certainly worth thinking about because there are few novel experiences in our later lives.

Although, sometimes, the days are long and the years are short.

Wasn’t it Christmas just a month or so ago?

Putting something new and exciting into our lives sounds like a great idea to me.

However, I must say that meeting, talking and getting to know many of you, is an absolute delight for me.

Phone call from Judy

Judy called on two subjects: first, the protection of the artwork on the walls of the hospital; and secondly Kidstown, in which her family made an investment.

We will revisit both of these topics in the future (I have an idea for one and some info about the other.)

That’s it for now – let’s talk next week; same place, whatever time you choose.

May it be easy, my friends

Marnie

Email: towntalk@sheppnews.com.au

Letter: Town Talk.

The News.

P.O. Box 204.

Shepparton 3631.

Phone: Text or call 0409 317 187