A night of celebration for Rochy

By Shannon Colee

Mar 25, 2024

Celebrating 150 Years: Video producer Don Mayes, Rochester Football Netball Club president Justin Cleary and *The Locals* author Mark Jullick celebrate the club’s anniversary. Photos: Aidan Briggs Photo by Aidan Briggs

The Rochester Football Netball Club was full of smiling faces on Saturday night as it celebrated its 150th anniversary.

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The evening of revelry was designed to celebrate both the club’s milestone and the book that was recently released about it.

Friends: Eliza Hewes, Tara Alley, Monica Ingram and Maddy Pearse spent Saturday night celebrating Rochester’s major milestone. Photo by Aidan Briggs

In honour of the event, the club commissioned a nearly half-hour video that looked at its history.

Club president Justin Cleary said seeing everyone come out to support the club was incredible.

Club love: Matt Kellett, Xavier Hooppell, Fraser Cleary, Nathan Marrone and Joe Atley chat about their love of the club. Photo by Aidan Briggs

“Not many clubs in Australia are 150 years old and it’s a testament to this community that we’ve achieved it,” he said.

“Just looking around and seeing hundreds of people, seeing the kids enjoying themselves, celebrating a unique, exciting achievement is very special.”

Sound of music: The Baker Boys performed at the 150 Years of the Rochester Football and Netball Club event. Photo by Aidan Briggs

Mark Gullick, who documented the club’s history in his book The Locals, was given a lifetime membership to the club.

“It’s a great honour to get that. I’ve gone through all the names on the board and there are some absolute legends of the club on there, so to have my name among those, it’s really thrilling,” he said.

“I wrote the book thinking about the guys that played in the 1800s and early 1900s and how they were absolutely brilliant and deserved as much attention as those who played in the ’90s.

Great honour: Rochester Football Netball Club president Justin Cleary presents *The Locals* author Mark Jullick with a life membership of the club. Photo by Aidan Briggs

“I think the strength of (the club’s) story is you can give it to someone who doesn’t know about it and they can react to it."

Former AFL producer Don Mayes, now with Bridge Creative, produced the video that played during the night’s celebrations.

Premier night: Hundreds gathered to celebrate the anniversary and to watch the video made about the history of the club. Photo by Aidan Briggs

"What I really loved about this club was it was a club that I would’ve loved to have been a part of when I was younger,” Mr Mayes said.

“When I got to speak to everyone I was envious that I didn’t have an experience like this club gives players.

“We were envious of what you guys have. The camaraderie, the connection, the stories, the fantastic highs, the lows — it all brings you all closer together.”