Where has the Kilmore Football Netball Club Gone?
On Sunday I took my grandson to play in his second game for Kilmore FC and on arriving at the JJ Clancy Reserve gates I couldn’t help but to think back over 60 years ago when I played my first game at the same ground although back in those days the entrance was via Clark street next to the old sale yards.
The first thing I notice was how great the ground looked, no mud and an even coverage of grass all over. As we turn left the most notable change is the Blues social rooms that served the community and football club for almost 50 years is gone. Also gone are the old change rooms recently better known as the Clarrie Berry Pavilion, in their place is a dark and uninspiring structure that seems to be out of place.
Entering the change rooms, memories came flooding back again to the wooden muddy floors, the smell of liniment, the boot studder and trainers, the shower rooms with cement floors and hot water that lasted 10 minutes if you were first in. The new change rooms were a great improvement indeed.
After the game we made our way to the main building and first impressions were wonderful, very spacious and clean, but there was something missing. Is this a Football/Netball Club?
Looking around there is nothing to make you believe that the Kilmore Football Club has ever existed let alone one that began back in 1873. No trophy cabinet, no past presidents, life members, best and fairest honour boards, no old team photos no memorabilia at all.
Where is last years reserves premiership cup and flag?
Being this is only the second year of the new building perhaps the trophies etc are still in storage and awaiting to be displayed in the near future. Surely the history of past and present volunteers who have given hundreds of years of service in growing and expanding the Kilmore community need to be on display for people to admire and cherish, and where else but the JJ Clancy Reserve home of the KFNC.
The Blues social rooms and Clarrie Berry Pavilion have been demolished to make way for the renovations, lets start reviving history by naming the new building “the Clarry Berry Pavilion”
Anyone who new the man would know how much time and effort Clarry put into Kilmore and the football club.
I wish the Kilmore Football/Netball Club both seniors and juniors all the best for the 2025 Season and looking forward to watching many more games from “The Clarrie Berry Pavilion”
Peter Thomas
