Gembrook’s centenary celebrations

By Marc McGowan
THE Gembrook-Cockatoo Football Club will celebrate its centenary year in style this weekend, highlighted by Saturday night’s Centenary Dinner.
The 500 tickets for the event have all sold out, which will see the announcement of the Brooker of the Century and the Team of the Century.
The club will also play the ‘Centenary Football Match’ against Monbulk on Saturday afternoon, with ‘Back to Brook Day’ on Sunday morning.
The club will present its players with centenary jumpers for the match and the annual Ramage Trophy will be presented to the winner of Saturday’s match, in honour of iconic past player Harold Ramage.
Mr Ramage debuted for Gembrook-Cockatoo in 1947 and played almost 400 matches over 30 years and was the vice-captain of the Brookers’ first premiership side in 1962.
He still manages to watch the club regularly but he hasn’t added to his game total in a while.
“They don’t give me a game anymore,” he joked.
The club’s first premiership came in 1962 and a further five have followed; its most recent in 2004. The Brookers doubled up in 2000 – winning the second division seniors and reserves, which sparked a party atmosphere.
“They celebrated for a few days,” club historian Lesley Licciardi joked.
“Our most successful era came in the 1960s, when we won two premierships.”
‘Back to Brook Day’ offers the opportunity for all comers to celebrate with the club at the Gembrook Football Ground and the club’s history books will be on display.
“The day offers a more relaxed atmosphere,” Mrs Licciardi said.