Ross Elwin
It might surprise you to know (or, maybe not) that your humble scribe wouldn't know the difference between The Footy and a turnip. How to do justice to last night's engaging talk by sporting identity Ross Elwin then? A bit of digging and it all becomes clear....! football, cricket (another sport that has your writer baffled) and (on good authority) 'a bloody good tennis player'. Ross simply excelled at them all.
The evening was off to a great start with yet another delicious meal (how do you keep doing it Kim?!!) and a lively fine session by Matt. Ross was introduced by president David and we got to hear a bit about his upbringing and family's pioneering past as local dry-area farmers. It was apparent that Ross came from a sporting family by his recount of dad's advice of not 'letting work get in the way of a good day of sport'. Ross played local and country representative cricket but it was football that was Ross' passion. He commenced his career playing in the Barellan Football League and his 'great natural talent' led to him being recognized by the South Melbourne Swans where he played for three years. Ross has been described as "one of the most feared players of his era. It wasn't because he was a dirty player but because he was such a big man and he played the game very hard but also very fair." Ross won the 'Best 1st Year Player' award with the Swans in 1968. He was said to have had 'a tremendous high mark and he could kick the ball a very long way'. Unfortunately, Ross' football career with the Swans was cut short by a serious knee injury in 1970. Upon his return to Leeton, Ross stayed active in football through coaching, playing and club executive roles. Thanks for the stories Ross!