BRENDAN LINES
THE Pelicans are back – for one week only.
The Barmera-Monash Football Club’s A grade team will don its heritage strip, honouring its former guise as the Pelicans, when the RFL club hosts its official centenary celebrations at the Lakeside Oval on Saturday.
The club’s striking pre-1981 colours will be on display again when Barmera-Monash takes on traditional rival Berri.
Supporters can get their hands on some history when the heritage jumpers are auctioned post game, raising funds for the club.
However, wearing its heritage strip is just one way the club will acknowledge its past this weekend. Club volunteers will be manning its centenary wall, encouraging members past and present to take up a one-in-100-year chance to have their name permanently name etched in history.
The wall initiative was created to commemorate the club’s centenary year and raise funds after Covid-19 stymied the club’s actual centenary year in 2020.
“It’s great to have the old red and yellow guernseys back for a game,” said club vice president Darran van der Woude.
“Together with all the other initiatives that are happening, it will make for a great weekend for the footy club. We encourage and welcome anyone with a connection to the club to get along on Saturday.”
The centenary wall will be officially opened after the A grade game.
A sportsman’s luncheon, featuring SANFL legend Neil Kerley and West Adelaide’s Hallett Shueard as guest speakers, will be held in the Barmera Club before the A grade match.
Meanwhile on Monday, Barmera Club hosted the funeral service of Barmera-Monash Football Club club stalwart George Manning, 92, who passed away last week.