The Blyth Snowtown Football Club held their 21st birthday on Saturday 15th August at Kevin and Mardi Pratt’s farm in the “Big Shed” with 236 players, members and supporters attending.
The Club catered for the event themselves flying in Master Chef Sam from Melbourne to help local Master Chef Ros Zweck prepare the delicious cocktail food which was on offer through out the night. Anti pesto plates were plentiful on the many wine barrels scattered throughout the shed while waiters meandered through the crowd to serve tasty sausage rolls, spicy crumbed chicken accompanied with sauces and relishes, meat balls in pasta were a treat as were the tempting mini pizzas and quiches. The humble lamb chop marinated and seasoned and prepared over hot coals served on mash was also a specialty on offer followed by a variety of luscious desserts including chocolate and cream gateau, chocolate mud cake, citrus tarts and concluding with a delectable warm jam donuts late into the evening. Congratulations is extended to the club’s caterers as they continued all night to keep the food flowing to satisfy the crowd’s appetite.
Past players and members travelled from within the State to catch up with each other and reminisce about the teams they played in, against and especially the seven premierships the club has won over that time.
MC for the night was the ever reliable Mr Paul McCormack who kept proceedings on track as well as controlling the crowd of happy CATS.
The first official item on the program was Tony Griffin (Snowtown) and Malcolm Wandel (Blyth), who were Presidents prior to the almalgamation, presenting current B/S President Kevin Pratt with the 21st key signed by those at the evening.
The seven coaches of eight premierships during the 21 years were all in attendance and gave a brief account of their memories of the seasons and highlights of the players that were under them and of the club.
A power point presentation ran throughout the night and brought back many memories including the fashions on and off the oval, hair or lack of it, as well as the fun activities the Club has organized through the seasons.
The highlight of the night was the awarding of the inaugural Blyth Snowtown Football Club life membership to Graeme Wandel who has been with the Club for the 21 years and prior with Blyth Football Club.
Graeme was caught unaware, as this prestigious award was announced and he took some time to regain his composure before responding to his award. The CATS Football Club has been a huge part of his life and has held the football fraternity as one of his greatest passions.
Graeme played 225 games for both the Blyth and Blyth Snowtown Football Clubs before undertaking the role of B Grade coach and selector for the 1987 and 1988 seasons.
He has served on the Club’s management committee and sponsorship committees as well as being club delegate to North Eastern Football League. Graeme took on 8the role of club secretary for 10 years and later as president for 3 years. He has been club advocate, media officer and team manager as well serving on the club’s committee for many years organizing various aspects enabling teams to take to the field on a Saturday.
Graeme’s love for the game has also extended to the North Eastern Football League taking on many major positions including vice presidency, chairman of various committees and current president of the league since 2007.
Graeme has been Zone delegate since 2005 and in 2009 has taken on the Central Zone regional director.
One of Graeme’s greatest moments as a non player was his first year of NEFL president in 2007 and shaking the hands of Blyth Snowtown CATS A & B Grade captains on the dais as they won the NEFL premierships at the Blyth oval. This moment had been remembered by the club as they presented Graeme with not only a life membership badge and engraved award but also a beautifully framed photo of the Blyth oval grand final day in 2007 as well as the A & B Grade CATS 2007 premiership teams.
Graeme does not have much idle time as he works at his successful business and also chairs a number of committees within the community away from football.
Graeme thanked his wife Denby and his three daughters Sophie, Jessica and Hannah for their support and who were all in attendance on this occasion. A loud applause was given as a mark of respect for Graeme’s devotion to football especially to the Blyth Snowtown Football Club.
Since the commencement of the Blyth Snowtown Football Club there have been eight presidents and all except the late Ross Pratt were able to join in the celebrations during the night to congratulate Graeme.
Inaugural president of the Blyth Snowtown Football Club was Malcolm Wandel and he had the pleasure of cutting the huge 21st birthday cake with a saw, while sparklers were lit glowing up the shed.
While much reminiscing continued throughout the night the young players and supporters took to the dance floor and danced the night away.
The night was a huge undertaking by the club, as a temporary kitchen was set up including cooking equipment and cold rooms and hot boxes, decorations erected with a cherry picker, bar built, carpet laid for the dance floor, wine barrels brought into for the comfort of the crowd plus much more and then there was the clean up the next day - massive.
Thanks was extended to Kevin and Mardi Pratt for the use of their property for the Cats venue for a marvellous 21st birthday.
Congratulations to the Blyth Snowtown Football Club on organising a great celebration and the opportunity of bringing many members and supporters together.
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