What I See with Peter Fiorenza: GNNFL’s 1964 yearbook a rare keepsake of community, connection with footy

A mate recently brought something quite interesting along to a breakfast catch up. Knowing I’m a history buff and love the local footy, he showed me a copy of the Great Northern National Football League (GNNFL) official yearbook from 1964. And what a gem it was. The publication was very comprehensive with detailed information about the league and the member clubs. In 1964, the GNNFL, which had only been in existence for three seasons, was a flourishing sporting body with nine member clubs. It comprised of Brigades, Chapman Valley, Irwin (Dongara district), Mullewa, Rovers, Northampton, Towns, Railways and St Patrick’s College. And the office bearers were a who’s who of the local community at the time. As many will know, Jerimiah James (JJ) Clune was the president, but there was the Protest and Disputes Board headed up by magistrate Ken Phelps and John Rock — well-known newsagent and stationer — was the GNNFL secretary and a league selector, along with Jack Renner and Phil Cooper, who would go on to become mayor. The handbook also included summaries about each of the clubs, their administration and their histories, but it was the advertisements that really took my interest. There were ads from all over town, from butcher shops, to tradies and hotels. A general example is this: “Best Wishes From The Murchison Inn. The Home from Home Hotel. For Swan at Its Best. For the Homeliest Accommodation ( Norm Jack Licensee) Eleanor Street, Geraldton PHONE GERALDTON 198.” There were other business names such as Timber Industries, H. and M.M. Stanton — Milk Vendors in Crowther Street, Chapman and Jose Cool Drinks and Cordials, Nash’s Bakery and Harry Start Sports Store, along with the Swansea Guest House. Harry Start’s was still around when I was a kid and the Swansea Guest House can still be found in Marine Terrace. There are noteable statistics in the book too, such as leading goal kickers. In 1961 it was Gary Atkison from Rovers with 43 goals, in 1962 it was Barty Crain from Brigades with 37 and in 1963 Railways’ Jim Morris took out the gong with 52 majors. As I’ve mentioned, the early 1960s was a halcyon period for football in the area, backed up by overall attendances almost tripling from about 17,000 in 1961 to close to an incredible 50,000 in 1963. The GNNFL Official Handbook is something of a rare keepsake, and even though I wasn’t even born then I feel a real connection to it through the advertisements, the names and the many fascinating photos. I’m sure many readers would be able to flip through the pages and bring great back memories from a special time in local history. The photo with this column is of the first combined side chosen to represent the GNNFL. Do you recognise anyone? Peter Fiorenza is a City of Greater Geraldton councillor who hosts Fiorenza on Sunday on Radio MAMA, which returns in early February