Life membership of the Federation
By Roy Hay
As part of the settlement which saw the Victorian Soccer Federation (VSF) succeed the Victorian Amateur Soccer Football Association (VASFA) as the governing body of the game in this state in 1962, the office bearers of VASFA resigned and were elected life members of the new organisation.[i] Subsequently life members were added as members of the VSF were recognized for their meritorious service to the game. They included former players, administrators, referees, and others who had contributed significantly to the growth of the code.
When the Football Federation Victoria took over the administration of the game under its current name in 2005, it recognised the life members of the VSF it has also recognised the life members of the Victorian Women’s Soccer Association. In 2010 it recognised the life members of the constituent regional bodies which have now come under the direct auspices of the Federation.
A group of VSF officials and members of the press taken in 1969-70. Several were then or later life members of the Federation. Back row, left to right. Henry Dressler, George Yelland, Norm Couzens, John Klimecki, Len Willmer (secretary) George Sawczak, Laurie Schwab, John Oliphant, John Castellini, Taffy Coombes, Enver Begovic. Front row: John Gorton, Andy Kun, Vic Manson. Source: Laurie Schwab collection, Deakin University Library.
The following historical lists are taken from VASFA, VSF and FFV Yearbooks and Annual Reports
VASFA Council 1961[ii]
Harry Dockerty, President
N Rothfield, Vice-president
Dr Charles Walker, Vice-president
Bill Thomas, Chairman of Council
J Paul, Deputy Chairman of Council
Alex Kerr, Hon Treasurer
A d’Andrea, Member
Morrie Buckner, Member
Lou de Bono, Member
Kurt Defris, Member
C Dodd, Member
C D Harris, Member
Sam Horrobin, Member
D Ivanovic, Member
Fred Lang, Member
Theo Marmaras, Member
John Oliphant, Member
S Rubenstein, Member
Fred Villiers, Member
VSF Life Members 1967[iii]
Dr H Baytch
Tommy Burns
Lou de Bono
Kurt Defris
J Demtrie
Henry Dressler
Eric Heath
Sam Horrobin
Alex Kerr
Tony Kovac
Andy Kun
Fred Lang
Theo Marmaras
J Parker
J Paul
J Pick
Bill Thomas
Dr Charles Walker
John van Hoboken
Henry Wirt
Enver Begovic
Life Members 1983[iv]
Theo Marmaras, MBE
Michael Weinstein, BEM
Andy Kun
Fred Lang
Kurt Defris
Alex Kerr
Jim Paul
Bill Thomas
Dr H Baytch
Eric Heath
Tony Kovac
John van Hoboken
John Barclay
Henry Dressler
V Wirt
J Castellini
N Stanley
W Campbell
Vic Manson
A Brant
J Oliver
P J O’Connor
J M Knott
Fred Hutchison
G Culbard
Bruo Tessari
J E Abalon
J D’Andrea
W Curran
A Merrills
Ken Slack
VSF Life Members 1994[v]
Andy Kun
Michael Weinstein, AM, BEM
Dr H Baytch
Eric Heath
John van Hoboken
John Barclay
Henry Dressler
V Wirt
J Castellini
M Stanley
W Campbell
Vic Manson
A Brant
Fred Hutchison
G Culbard
Bruno Tessari
J E Abalon
J d’Andrea
W Curran
A Merrills
Ken Slack
C Cutajar
E Barrett
Mrs N Bosma
R Bosma
S David
Cav Vito Cilauro
G Kerry
John Dimtsis
E Richardson
F Royston
Mrs Ellen Slack
A Blacklaw
M Taussig
Gordon Crossley
George Wallace
J Sampson
J Murphy
Don di Fabrizio
David Phillips
V Ballerini
VSF Life Members 2000
Michael Weinstein, AM, BEM
Eric Heath
John Baclay
Henry Dressler
Vic Manson
Dr H Baytch
J Castellini
Fred Hutchison
Bruno Tessari
J E Abalon
G Culbard
W Curran
A Merrills
E Barrett
Mrs N Bosma
S David
Cav Vito Cilauro
John Dimtsis
J d’Andrea
E Richardson
F Royston
Mrs Ellen Slack
A Blacklaw
Gordon Crossley
George Wallace
J Sampson
J Murphy
Don di Fabrizio
V Ballerini
D McIntosh
G Kerry
M Taussig
Tony Dunkerley
Dominic Trimboli
Frank Burin
Don Sutherland
C Cutajar
Joe Docherty
David Phillips
Stan Slazyk
John Hodgson
Lou Stafrace
FFV Life Members 2009[vi]
Mate Antolos
Vince Ballerini
Chris Bambridge
John Barclay
Alex Blacklaw
Frank Burin
Terry Bywater
Eileen Bywater
John Castellini
Norman Ceeney
Jason Charles
Matt Ciavarella
Tony Cikoja
Vito Cilauro
Carlo Contini
Gordon Crossley
Sam David
Don Di Fabrizio
John Dimtsis
James Dixon
Joe Docherty
Tony Dunkerley
Bernard Finnegan
Michael Gaut
Emil Hecht
Lou Hemmes
Betty Hoar
John Hodgson
Fred Hutchison
Roger Lamb
Neilson Love
Ken Lyon
Victor Manson
David McIntosh
Janette Melvin
Albert Merrills
Marek Momont
John Murphy
Bill Mustafa
David Phillips
Eric Richardson
John Riley
Moya Riley
Jim Sampson (Snr)
Louis Savannah
Stan Slazyk
Lewis Stafrace
Michael Taussig
Don Trimboli
Colin Tuffield
Lyn van Pelt
Johannes Verniers
Fred Villiers
George Wallace
Michael Weinstein
References
[i] Roy Hay, ‘Marmaras’s oyster or Seamonds’ baby? The formation of the Victorian Soccer Federation, 1956-1964’, Sporting Traditions, 10, No 2, 1994, p. 18.
[ii] VASFA Yearbook, 1961, p. 3.
[iii] VSF Yearbook, 1967.
[iv] VSF Yearbook, 1983.
[v] VSF Yearbook, 1994, p. 1.
[vi] FFV Annual Report 2009, p. 34.