CLUB SWANS Presents...
150 Years of Australian Football in New South Wales
The Annual Ralph Robinson Lecture
Did you know that South Melbourne played an exhibition match in Sydney in the early 1900s? Or that Carlton played a game of Australian Rules football in Sydney in 1877?
Football has a long and proud history in the state of New South Wales. This fascinating tale of the game’s genesis and growth in Australia’s first state will be the subject of the 2008 Ralph Robertson Memorial Lecture.
Renowned football writer John Harms will present the keynote speech, which will tell captivating story of football in New South Wales, before an expert panel discusses how football went from being a game played on the margins to being one of NSW’s loved sporting codes.
Harms is a noted football journalist, who regularly writes for The Age newspaper and contributed two chapters to the book The Australian Game of Football Since 1858.
The panel of illustrious football figures includes Sydney Swans Chairman Richard Colless, who will lend his expertise garnered over two decades of involvement in the game at its highest level. Ricky Quade, who was the Swans’ inaugural coach following their relocation to Sydney and continued to play an active and high-profile role in the development in football in NSW. Also joining them will be media personality and football fan, Rhys Muldoon, and other guests.
The annual Ralph Robertson Memorial Lecture is presented by the Committee of NSW AFL History with the support of the AFL (NSW/ACT) Commission. The lecture is named after NSW AFL Hall of Fame member and World War I hero Ralph Robertson, who was tragically killed during active service.
This year’s annual Ralph Robertson Memorial Lecture is an event not to be missed, and will be held on Friday 15 August in the Auditorium at Club Swans at 7.00 pm. All Swans members, avid footballer followers and history buffs are all invited to attend. Entry is free of charge, and CLUB SWANS recommends guests RSVP by email. The event will begin at 6pm, with drinks and light refreshments, and the lecture will follow at 7pm.
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