"Home
of the Magpies"
Charter
"
To promote and encourage participation in the game of Australian
Rules Football throughout the Winnaleah and surrounding districts.
To encourage support of the rules and all forms of governance
deemed as being in the best interests of the Winnaleah Football
Club.
Background
The
Winnaleah Football Club was founded circa 1905 and to date has
had only two homes. The first site was located at the corner of
Racecourse and Banca Roads and then in the early 40's to its current
home off Recreation Road. This site has undergone many changes
in the last three decades, from the building of new kiosk and
change room facilities in the 70's, to the recent development
of the community facility located in the south western corner.
This latest facility has also attached a much-needed public toilet
facility to this complex thus complimenting enough public facilities
to encompass large crowds without the need of temporary hired
facilities.
The
colours of this fine club have also changed twice with some minor
alterations to the Guernsey and logos. Initially the colours were
light blue with a yellow V on the front. These jumpers were changed
in the 40's. The current colours are the mighty black and white
with a magpie emblem to allow differentiation from other clubs
that have crept closer to the black and white vertical stripes
that were exclusive to us a North East Football Union "original
club".
The
Winnaleah Football Club is affiliated with the North East Football
Union, which was founded in 1937 with clubs participating from
the neighbouring towns of Ringarooma (Alberton), Legerwood, Branxholm,
Derby and Pioneer. The NEFU of today also includes participants
from Bridport, Lilydale, Scottsdale and St Helens. Alas the Union
has lost the participation from the towns of Derby, Legerwood
and Pioneer. The loss of this participation has been to the benefit
of the Winnaleah, Branxholm and Ringarooma clubs.
History
shows that the Winnaleah Football Club has achieved its share
of success with senior premierships in 1930,1938,1940, 1945 with
a long spell until 1965, then again in 1972and 1974. Success came
again in 1985, 2003, 2004 and 2005. These last three years are
arguably the most successful period in the clubs history. The
reserves and thirds have also won many premierships along the
way and the club in total has possibly gained more 'runner up'
positions than the ultimate success. However, history has revolved
around being competitive and being able to sustain both viability
and longevity in this changing climate.
Fundraising
Through
the consistent, sustained efforts of the committee and the members
of the public there are many and varied types of fundraising ventures.
Fundraising is the largest source of income for the club. Home
games provide income from the admission charges, kiosk sales and
with the "community facility" completion this has allowed
another source of income that was previously unable to be secured
with any consistency. This facility runs a "public bar"
trading 15 hours per week. Others fund raisers include an auction
of goods on and most Saturday evenings, home games provide some
form of entertainment for the benefit of the whole socio-community
and club members. The image and social benefits of these events
are unmeasurable in our community.
Governance
As
stated the Winnaleah football club is affiliated with the North
East Football Union, a relationship of mutual benefit to all since
1937. The clubs governance is guided by its constitution (attachment
1). The constitution has had amendments completed over the time
and this is encouraged as issues come forward. The process of
change can only occur once per annum and this is at the Annual
General Meeting where written notification needs to be forwarded
to the Secretary 14 days prior to the A.G.M for advertising of
the proposed changes. Objections may be heard at The A.G.M prior
to the submission being voted upon.
The
committee is currently nominated and elected at the AGM and this
committee totals 13 and includes a Chairperson, Treasurer and
Secretary along with Patron and two vice chairpersons. The other
elected members make up the general committee (attachment 2 are
the names and positions of all elected committee members). The
committee is compelled by constitution to advertise for coaches
for all positions of office held within the club. These positions
are then elected by due process.
The
Winnaleah Football Club acknowledges members by granting "life
membership" to any male or female who has given exemplary
service to the club either on the field or off. The process is
to put forward a club member nomination. This nomination is then
forwarded to a rotational committee of five (rotational meaning
that a new committee member is selected for five years annually
and at the end of the year the member rotates one position until
they become chairperson for their last year). Currently, there
are 16 life members dating back to the 50's.
Development
plans
The
Winnaleah Football has always encouraged an "early childhood
and youth development programme. Since the 60's an Under 15 team
was involved in the N.E.F.U. Today the club has teams participating
in under 10's, Under 13"s, Under 16's, Reserves and Seniors.
The club in 2006 had 90, registered participants, this is testament
to the clubs strength considering there are only 220 residents
in total within the town boundaries. A valued partnership has
developed between the W.F.C and the Winnaleah District High School
over the years with training for the Under 10's and 13's occurring
in the School grounds since the mid 90's. The Winnaleah Football
Club has always encouraged juniors to accept development challenges
and has on many occasions assisted this financially.
Financial
Objectives
The committee has an unchartered objective to leave the club as
financially healthy as when they started. The maturity and business
like approach has the Club in a very healthy position at this
point of time. Indeed the envy of a lot of other sporting bodies.
The balance sheet is audited annually and the financial statement
presented at the A.G.M for all members to observe and question.
The clubs main funding allocation is for payment of coaches and
players and in 2003 the clubs annual turnover was approximately
$105 000. In comparison an audited balance sheet from 1974 shows
the clubs turnover at approximately $4500.
Benefits
of Football at Winnaleah
As
noted in the charter the WFC encourages participation. The club
offers a truly "family day out". Due to our relatively
isolated nature in the Winnaleah area, particularly with extended
travel to major centres, football and netball have co-existed
strengthening the social and recreational pursuits of many within
the Winnaleah area. This co-existence has allowed the whole family
unit to participate in one area on any given day.
The
Future
The
Club has been actively upgrading both club and recreational facilities.
A constructive relationship has been developed with the Dorset
council over the last decade.
A
positive, working relationship with the netball and cricket clubs
is also important for not only the development of projects but
for the implementation of a development plan which will be completed
to ascertain an "as needed basis" with capital works
planned and costs estimated for submissions options as they occur.
The encouragement from the Winnaleah District High School with
participation, will further develop a support network to assist
the consolidation of assets in the one area.
Development
of the Winnaleah Recreational Reserve
Ground
and facility development of the entire reserve has been a team
effort by all user parties. The major stakeholders include the
Winnaleah Football, Netball and Cricket clubs who have all involved
themselves, either individually or through the advisory committee,
to co-ordinate projects with the Dorset Council. Most of the completed
projects have been funded by the Council with the clubs supplying
the labour. Planned projects for the past 5 years are outlined
over with estimated costs and relative club inputs.
