Perce McCallum gave 55 years of his life to Australian football, with Norwood always the centre of his attention. It was never going to be any other way. Perce’s father Fred was a club administrator, the family printing business was across the Parade from Norwood Oval, and younger brother Bill won the 1936 Magarey Medal.

While Perce, a hard-working ruckman, was no slouch himself on the field, it was at selection, recruiting and management meetings that he had a lasting impact. Happily, in the final nine years of his life, when he was club patron, he saw Norwood enter a new era of success with three premierships.

Like his old man, Perce understood the importance of junior and community football, so it was his constructive duty to chair district associations. He also looked after Norwood’s past players in similar manner. As long ago as 1938 the McCallum Medal for the best under-17 player in the SANFL was struck in honour of the family. Then in 1982 came Perce’s individual AOM for services to football.

What is sometimes overlooked in Norwood folklore though, is Perce’s sudden elevation to coach in 1941 which led to a Norwood premiership after 12 years of uncertainty. It was a credit to the man.

Games: 172 Goals: 126
Premiership coach: 1941
Club champion: 1933, 1938
Further honours: Norwood Player Life Member, Medal of the Order of Australia, SA games 4.

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