Recognition Award – Roy Friday, Bonnie Doon Football Club, 1995.

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Recognition Award – Roy Friday, Bonnie Doon Football Club, 1995. Awarded for outstanding performance, 50 years service to the Bonnie Doon F.C. Bulldog blood for 50 years: Roy Friday is the George Walker memorial sportsperson for the month of August, following his milestone 50th year of service to the Bonnie Doon Football Club. During his time with the club, Roy has served as a valuable player and executive. He played for more than 20 seasons on the backline and he has served on the committee since 1955. During that time, Roy spent 14 years as president of the club and has also served as treasurer, assistant treasurer and vice-president. Rarely missing a week, he has attended the Bonnie Doon games almost religiously for the past 50 years. He received a life membership of the club in 1971. His many achievements during his time with the club have been recognised on various occasions. As sportsperson of the month Roy has won a $25.00 cheque. The awards are sponsored by the Rotary Club of Mansfield and the Mansfield Courier in recognition of, and to encourage, the district’s talented sportspeople. One sportsperson is nominated each month until the Sportsperson of the Year is announced. Long-time dedication to Bonnie Doon: Being dedicated to the Bonnie Doon Football Club for 50 years, playing more than 20 seasons and being awarded to club’s Life Membership are just three of the reasons why Roy Friday has won the George Walker memorial sportsperson award for August. But Roy’s 50 years with the club have been filled with achievements. His father William Friday played with Bonnie Doon and perhaps this is where Roy’s love for the club began. As soon as Roy was old enough to leave school he did – and became involved in Bonnie Doon’s only football side in the Warranga North East league in 1945. However, Roy did not begin as a player, but ran the boundary for a couple of years. He remembers his first match and first season with the club. He played in various positions at the beginning of his football career, and it wasn’t until well into the season that he settled into a position at full back. Roy played 15 straight seasons at full back. Back in ’45 when Roy started with the club, they played on the same ground – but the facilities were much different to today. Roy recalls that both club (Doon and opposition) would change in a small shed at the north end of the ground. For showering purposes, the club had to fill the fire truck with water to fill the tank that fed the change room. The water would be manually pumped up into a high tank to generate a bit of pressure. After the Doon bridges were built in 1956, the footy club purchased a mess hut from State Rivers (the authority responsible for the work on the bridges). The hut was attached to the existing change room, greatly increasing the facilities. Another shed at the adjacent side of the ground served as a canteen from which the ladies served food. Roy guesses that shed was about 10 ft square and contained an open fire and tin chimney. His wife Norma and friend Pat Forrest were the instigators of the sale of lollies at the footy. During the games they would sell lollies out of the back of Roy’s Land Rover. Norma was also involved in the club, often helping in the canteen. Now, however, she spends a lot of her spare time on the golf course. Roy’s football career with Doon was filled with highlights, including 12 grand finals and six premierships. Roy’s first premiership was in 1956 when Doon defeated Broadford. He was vice-captain and the side had not won a premiership since 1928. His father was in that team. He was with Doon when they won premierships in ’57, ’58, ’61, ’62 and ’66. In 1952 he was awarded most improved; best utility in ’54; he was runner-up best and fairest in ’55; most consistent in ’56; best team man in the grand final in ’59; best player in final in ’64 and most consistent in ’65. Roy was in his late 30s when he hung up his boots. But his achievements do not stop there. He joined the club’s committee in 1955 and has been on it ever since. He has held the position of vice-president, treasurer and assistant treasurer and served 14 terms as president. In the time that he was president the club built its new rooms and stated its place as a modern club. He was awarded a life membership of the club in 1971 and was vice-president of the Benalla, VIC and District league in 1978. Roy was recently awarded by the club for his 50 years’ service. The Bonnie Doon Football Club has played a big part in the life of Roy Friday and the club has greatly benefited from his involvement. And Roy now looks forward to the future

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