SPORT

By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

 

AS the township of Yallourn was less than a decade away from being fully demolished, the initial stages were set half a century ago that would lead to the amalgamation of Yallourn Football Club and Yallourn North Football Club.

On August 10, 1975, the first formal meeting was held with both football clubs present and many further meetings to come over the next 12 or so months.

Just over a year later, the decision was made to relocate Yallourn’s Number 1 Oval and its buildings to Yallourn North as a closure package from the SECV, which was ratified by independent arbitrator for the SEC, Ray Burkitt. A rival bid for the ground was made by Newborough, however, proved unsuccessful.

Part of the agreement that was to be honoured meant the new ground and club was an amalgamation of the two, as Yallourn North was moving from its Reserve Street site as well, and therefore that the Yallourn name would be kept.

Since 1977, the club has been known as Yallourn Yallourn North.

A total of $275,000 was set aside for the replacement of the oval, with the previous LGA Narracan Shire agreeing to cover any additional costs above $25,000 for earthworks. It was left to the clubs to find assistance in relocating the buildings.

The old rooms from Yallourn became the club’s social rooms, with the original scoreboard also being relocated.

Original plans for the reserve and the reason for the chosen location was that a new residential estate was to be built, which would approach the reserve from the south-west.

Beginning at Latrobe River Road (colloquially known as ‘the old road’ being the original entrance into town), the plans never eventuated due to a new noise pollution buffer with the area situated closest to the Yallourn Power Station of any residence.

The new oval became known as George Bates Reserve, named after the general manager of the SECV, who was also a long-time servant of Yallourn FC. The reserve was officially opened in 1981, though some games were played on the ground prematurely.

Yallourn was a member club of Latrobe Valley Football League (previously Central Gippsland Football League), the amalgamation meant Yallourn Yallourn North entered LVFL for the 1977 season.

The newly formed club were not there to make up numbers either. Yallourn Yallourn North made the 1978 LVFL Grand Final in their second season after upsetting reigning premier Leongatha in the preliminary final.

This early conglomerate featured many locals from both Yallourn and Yallourn North, including 1975 Mid Gippsland Football League best-and-fairest Ray DeCarli, John Sheekey and the Lovison brothers, Chris and John, and recruits the likes of Gary Young (future senior coach and formerly Moe) and coach Ray Koelman (Coburg).

The formidable side would however succumb to Traralgon in the Grand Final by 10 points.

After seven years, Yallourn Yallourn North moved to Mid Gippsland FL (where Yallourn North, previously Brown Coal Mine, once resided) accumulating five senior premierships before moving to North Gippsland Football-Netball League in 2020.