Ladies and gentlemen of Norwood.

Norwood Football Club decided on a Hall of Fame last November. It was time to recognise and enshrine those Norwood people who have made a significant contribution to our great club since its beginning in 1878.

The inaugural Hall of Fame would honour 35 individuals - 25 players and 10 others who have made outstanding contributions to Norwood as coaches, administrators, honorary officials or volunteers.

The Hall of Fame selectors agreed that, to be truly representative of our club’s 128-year history, two players would be honoured from 1878 to 1906, five from 1907 to 1941, six from 1945 to 1969, 10 from 1970 to 1990, and two from 1991 onwards.

Given our club’s tradition of success and service, it was no easy task - and it isn’t completed yet. After tonight’s historic induction of the first 35, the Hall of Fame can add up to five Norwood people each year. The job is done only when the selectors are satisfied that the Hall of Fame contains all the people who have served Norwood with distinction, as defined in its Charter.

Regardless of their category, order or year of selection, every person in the Norwood Football Club Hall of Fame has equal status.

The Hall of Fame Charter says outstanding services and overall contribution to the club are key selection elements, as are individual records, ability, integrity, sportsmanship and character. Games or years of service are a consideration, but aren’t conclusive.

A coach, volunteer, honorary official or administrator at any level of the club can be eligible for the Hall of Fame. Norwood people whose involvement in Australian football at state, national or affiliated league level has significantly enhanced the image of our club are always valued, and can be given extra consideration.

Players become eligible for the Hall of Fame three years after they have retired from League football. Coaches, honorary officials, volunteers and administrators become eligible on retirement.

A Hall of Fame selector can be eligible, but can’t vote for himself or herself. This happened twice when choosing the inaugural Norwood Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame selectors, appointed by the Norwood Football Club board, are chairman Wally Miller, Philip Gallagher, Gerry Harrison, Ian Stasinowsky, Chris Lane, Eldon Crouch, Lance Campbell, Gaynor Sumsion and Dominic Shepley.

Each Hall of Fame member inducted this evening has made a special contribution to the Norwood Football Club.

The players, with their unique talents, have given members and supporters incredible pleasure over the decades. They have brought great kudos to the club with 27 premierships, 32 grand finals and a host of individual honours. Pivotal to these successes have been the coaches, of whom Norwood has had 31 since the first in 1909. Some of those successes have been spectacular as well as historymaking. Jack Oatey, a Norwood original, personified what it is to be a football coach.

The administrators are acknowledged for their astute planning, strong leadership and skilful management. They have kept Norwood in the forefront of Australian football in South Australia.

The selfless contribution and standards set by honorary officials and volunteers have undoubtedly made the Norwood Football Club one of the premier sporting clubs in Australia.

The selectors have set each of these categories to a line in our club song. Now when you’re singing It’s a Grand Old Flag, you can also be singing about the people who have made Norwood great.

In saluting every Hall of Fame member, the Norwood Football Club board tonight offers its heartfelt thanks for the part each of them played in forging the club’s destiny. Norwood is immensely proud of their achievements.

As Norwood people here tonight, we trust that all of our living Hall of Fame members will thoroughly enjoy the dignity of their award, as will the families and friends of those who have passed on.

All 35 Hall of Fame members are now officially club heroes forever.

As Norwood is forever.

Wally Miller, chairman, on behalf of the Norwood Football Club Hall of Fame selectors
12 August, 2006