Our Story
1922:
Catani Train Station opened 29th June (closed 15th April 1950) along what is now McCraws Road, on the Strezlecki line between the Bayles and Yannathan stations.
The Catani township was established with the sale of 18 blocks in the “main street” of Taplins Road on the 1st November.
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1923:
Post Office and Primary School (4154) opened. Other businesses that opened and then unfortunately closed in the main street included a General Store, Mechanics, Lolly Shop, Barbers and Butchers.
Catani Football Club was established: President: J.H. Smethurst, Secretary: C. Llewellyn, Captain: Charlie Wildes, Vice Captain: Hec McColl.
Round 1 - 12th May v Yallock in the Yallock & District Junior Football Association. Other clubs included Cora Lynn and Tooradin.
Yallock defeated Catani in the Grand Final, thus we were Runners Up in first year of competition as Catani Football Club.
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1924:
Catani 8.11.59 drew with Cora Lynn 9.5.59 in the Yallock Junior Association Grand Final. With the replay to be played the following week, four Catani players withdrew from Catani's team so they could play for Garfield.
Catani went on to defeat Cora Lynn for their first Premiership with just 16 players at Cora Lynn 4.9.33 - 4.8.32.
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1926:
Played in the Cora Lynn & District Junior Football Association.
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1927:
A public meeting was held to decide the name of the new hall. It was named the "Soldiers Memorial Hall" with the football club anticipating a successful season.
As a foundation member of the West Gippsland Football Association, Catani lost to Pakenham the inaugural Grand Final at Longwarry in what we came to know as the West Gippsland Football League. Catani 5.5.35 - Pakenham 11.13.79.
1930:
Catani secured the West Gippsland Junior Football Association Premiership, defeating Longwarry South - 8.11.59 to 5.14.44 at Garfield.
1931:
Extraordinary circumstances saw Catani play in three Grand Finals to become Premiers. Longwarry South defeated Catani by 1 point, but as Minor Premiers, we challenged the result. The replay at Garfield went our way - Catani 6.7.43 to Longwarry South 5.10.40. BUT, Longwarry took it to a tribunal and the match was ordered to be replayed due to a disputed goal.
In front of a record crowd and in fine but windy conditions at Bunyip, Catani won 8.6.54 - 3.7.25, a great result considering we nearly didn't have a team in 1931.
1932:
Three-peat of Premierships - Catani 7.6.48 def minor premiers Dalmore 5.10.40 in front of a record attendance at KooWeeRup winning the Beaconsfield Junior Football Association.
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1933:
Dalmore 11.12.78 defeat Catani 7.11.53 in the Cardinia & District FA at KooWeeRup.
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1934:
With both teams and umpire arriving late and in wet conditions the first bounce wasn't until 3.30pm. Catani 7.11.53 defeated Bayles 6.6.42 at Tooradin, retaining the J.V. Fairbairn Perpetual Trophy, presented at the Association Ball in the Cardinia Hall, as Cardinia Football Association Premiers.
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1939:
World War II.
1944:
WGFL resumed and Catani joined forces with Cora Lynn. In front of a large crowd at Garfield, Catani Cora Lynn defeated Garfield in the Grand Final 11.11.77 - 7.7.49.
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1947:
Meetings were held to establish both Football & Basketball (what we now know as netball) Clubs. A ladies committee was also formed to help establish the operations of the football club in their own right, when it was thought we would have enough players to fill a football team.
Football Committee: President: Frank Icke, Secretary & Treasurer: Bill Wise.
Ladies Committee: President: Mabel Stewart, Secretary: Doris Peck.
Basketball Committee: President: May Knight, Secretary: Jean Epps, Treasurer: Merle Pitt, Coach: Mrs L Swain. Basketball Uniform was lemon and royal blue with club membership fees three shillings.
Keith Oberon appointed as coach, but no official matches played with some practice matches taking place including one against Rythdale.
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1948:
Admitted to the West Gippsland Football League (WGFL) & Basketball Association (WGBA) at a meeting held 13th April.
Bert Trewin appointed as Senior coach, with Catani losing to the other newly admitted team to WGFL, Nyora, 24.24.168 to 2.4.16.
John Fisher was our first club Best & Fairest winner – awarded a pair of socks!
1949:
Round 3, Catani’s first win at the expense of Longwarry!
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1951:
Catani Reserves win their final nine games to win the inaugural Reserves WGFL premiership defeating Drouin 9.7.61 - 6.9.45.
1953:
The recruitment of VFL player Peter Hancock as coach paid dividends. Catani won our first Senior Premiership in what was the Queen’s Coronation year, defeating Pakenham at Bunyip, 3.5.23 - 2.7.19 in wet and soggy conditions.
Laurie "Nipper" Johnstone wins the Jesse Adams Medal for WGFL Reserves B&F.
1954:
In opposite conditions from the year prior, a hot and windy day saw Catani go back-to-back with another Senior premiership defeating Drouin 9.15.69 - 9.8.62.
1956:
Catani lose basketball Grand Final, 15-16 to Pakenham.
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1957:
Catani again lose Basketball Grand Final again by just one goal. Also lost the Yallourn tournament against 80 teams from across Victoria by one goal!
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1958:
Catani's inaugural Basketball Premiership for the "Firsts" captained by Beryl Banbury (nee Sutton) defeating Cora Lynn 32-19. Also a Premiership in the “seconds”, now known as B Grade defeating Bunyip 18-14.
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1959:
Firsts/A Grade go back-to-back winning the Premiership defeating Bunyip 38-22.
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1960:
Three-peat for the Firsts Basketball team! Catani 35 defeated Pakenham 21. It was also back-to-back at the Yallourn basketball tournament.
Robert Evans wins the Ken Roy & Clem Pitt Medal for Thirds 18 WGFL B&F.
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1961:
A three goal loss in the 6th grand final in a row for the Firsts Basketball team, losing to Pakenham 27-30.
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1963:
Nancye McDonald wins WGBA A Grade Best & Fairest award.
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1968:
Ron Banbury wins the WGFL Reserves Best & Fairest (beaten on count back at the time, but awarded retrospectively almost 30 years later).
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1970:
Club rooms burn down on the 11th November after what was described as a "freakish bolt of lightning to strike the old pavilion".
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1971:
New rooms opened thanks to many volunteer hours of work assisting the project.
It was a long time between drinks - with a Seniors win recorded in June, after 26 successive defeats, finally beating Garfield.
Laurie Malcolm wins the WGFL Reserves Manchester Unity Medal as Best & Fairest.
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1975:
Ron Banbury wins WGFL Reserves Goal Kicking award.
At the Football Club AGM, a motion to move into the Ellinbank & District Football League (EDFL) was defeated as the committee vote in resounding fashion to remain in the West Gippsland Football League.
1976:
After campaigning over the Christmas period, a special meeting held in January with the Football Club voting 33 For / 2 Against to move into Ellinbank & District Football League and Netball Association (EDNA).
Change of uniform required from royal blue & yellow / Cats. With a number of Carlton supporters on the football committee - the CFC / Navy Blues were born.
Finished 4th in Senior football – making Finals for the first time in many years.
Rob Andrews wins Senior and Ron Banbury Reserves EDFL Goal Kicking.
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1977:
Ron Banbury wins Reserves EDFL Goal Kicking.
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1978:
Seniors finished 3rd and Thirds 4th, both playing finals.
Peter Gardiner wins Thirds EDFL Best & Fairest and Robert "Bob" Wetzel wins Senior EDFL Goal Kicking award.
Merle Vanstone first woman awarded Football Club Life Membership.
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1979:
Phil Wilson wins Senior EDFL Best & Fairest.
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1981:
Reserves finish 3rd, first time making finals in EDFL.
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1983:
Bob Wetzel wins Senior EDFL Goal Kicking award.
Heather McMillan awarded first Life Membership of the Catani Netball Club.
1984:
John Gay wins Reserves EDFL Best & Fairest.
1985:
Peter Gregorovich wins Reserves EDFL Goal Kicking award.
1986:
First EDNA Premiership with D Grade (Under 17s) coached by Deb Crowley, winning, Catani 22 - Bunyip 15. Raelene Jury named Best on Court (BOC).
Melinda Fraser wins E Grade (Under 15s) EDNA Best & Fairest.
Beverley Hobson appointed as the first female Treasurer of the Football Club.
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1987:
The club room extension is opened on the 24th May, providing Catani with one of the largest and most modern facilities in the league if not the district.
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1988:
Brendan “Jock” Bailey wins Thirds EDFL Best & Fairest.
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1989:
Reserves under Phil Anning lose Grand Final to Ellinbank 7.7.49 - 8.9.57
Seniors make finals for first time since 1978.
Angela Banbury wins EDNA E Grade (Under 15s) Best & Fairest.
1990:
Under Coach Greg Brick, Reserves win the Grand Final defeating Buln Buln for our first EDFL premiership and first flag since 1954.
Peter Manning wins Reserves EDFL Goal Kicking award.
E Grade are Runners Up, losing to Ellinbank 18-23 in Grand Final.
Angela Banbury ties for the EDNA E Grade (Under 15s) Best & Fairest.
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1991:
Peter Bennett takes the Seniors to their first Grand Final in the EDFL, losing to Poowong. Reserves still under Greg Brick lose to Buln Buln at Warragul.
1992:
Redemption! Lou Milner (Seniors) & Greg Brick (Reserves) lead Catani to Premierships in wet conditions at Warragul – TWO FLAGS!
Reserves 13.10.88 defeat Warragul Industrials 8.6.54.
Seniors 9.9.63 defeat Ellinbank 2.10.22.
Ruckman, Mark Gains awarded Best On Ground (BOG), however lost his medal on the victory lap, the team rescued the moment finding it on their 2nd lap!
Football Club is awarded EDFL Club Championship and Richard Hammond wins Senior EDFL Goal Kicking with 97 goals.
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1994:
With David Stagg as coach, Seniors lose Grand Final to Buln Buln at Warragul: 11.10.76 - 18.10.118
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1995:
B Grade make the Grand Final, losing to Poowong 43-46.
Goaler, Kaye Garvey named BOC.
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1996:
Chris Short wins EDFL Reserves Best & Fairest.
Alissa O’Sullivan wins EDNA D Grade (Under 17s) Best & Fairest.
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1997:
Catani celebrates 50 years of being established since 1947 with a book called
"The Navy Blue Cats" compiled by Angela Banbury, who becomes the first female Secretary, following in her father, Ron's footsteps for a record 22 years.
1998:
Grand Final losses for both Seniors under Lou Milner v Neerim South and Thirds with Billy Harris as coach v Buln Buln.
1999:
Still under Billy Harris, Thirds lose a consecutive Grand Final to Nilma Darnum.
2000:
Two junior competitions in 4ths (Under 14s) & 5ths (Under 12s) established.
Logan Hill wins the inaugural 5ths EDFL Best & Fairest.
John Entwisle wins Senior EDFL Goal Kicking with 75 goals.
C Grade under coach Leanne Smith, lose Grand Final to Bunyip 23 - 27.
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2001:
February 5th, our Club Rooms burn down in an arson attack. Council deliver portable change and social rooms, situated towards the second oval, for the 18 months while the new rooms are built on the slab were they originally stood.
"The Footy Show" comes to Catani with Angela Banbury spinning Billy’s Wheel to win the Holden Ute and receive a $10,000 cheque from Wizard Home Loans.
​2002:
Finally, our new club rooms open after the fire, on 7th July.
2003:
Seniors under Paul Alger lose Grand Final to Poowong at Bunyip, 13.12.90 - 14.14.98.
Fifths lose to Bunyip in the age groups first Grand Final appearance 2.1.13 - 7.6.48.
Peter Knaap wins Reserves and Russell Lehman 5ths EDFL Best & Fairest awards.
2004:
With coach Paul Alger at the helm, Seniors win Premiership defeating Buln Buln 18.15.123 - 6.14.50. Forward, Owen Fitzpatrick at just 17, wins GF BOG medal.
Grand Final losses for the Reserves 7.6.48 - 14.12.90 to Longwarry as did the 5ths, 5.3.33 - 5.4.34, with a Longwarry behind after the siren to win the game.
Brent Mounsey wins Senior (87) and Daniel Fry Thirds (56) EDFL Goal Kicking.
Gavin Marusic wins 4ths EDFL Best & Fairest and Russell Lehman wins EDFL 5ths Goal Kicking (63) and ties for EDFL Best & Fairest medal.
Football Club awarded EDFL Club Championship.
2005:
Seniors under Alger and 5ths coached by Sam Failla (1992 Premiership player) win Premierships at KooWeeRup – TWO FLAGS!
Seniors 17.13.115 defeat Nyora 14.10.94 with Josh Tymensen awarded Senior GF BOG.
Our first junior premiership defeating Longwarry, 4.5.29 - 4.4.28.
One of the most amazing stories in our Club's history sees Senior Captain Michael Stockx winning his battle against Non Hodgkin Lymphoma and leading the team to a Premiership - "Simply Inspirational!"
Russell Lehman wins 4ths EDFL Goal Kicking award with 49 goals.
Luke Failla wins the EDFL 5ths Best & Fairest and Goal Kicking with 49 goals.
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2006:
Thirds finish 3rd with Leigh Jose winning EDFL Goal Kicking award with 67 goals.
Russell Lehman wins 4ths EDFL Best & Fairest & Goal Kicking award with 83 goals.
2007:
Seniors still under Paul Alger lose Grand Final to Nyora at Cora Lynn.
Football Club wins EDFL Club Championship and Aaron Alger ties for Senior EDFL Best & Fairest medal.
Phil Strahan wins Thirds EDFL Best & Fairest and Leigh Jose wins Thirds EDFL Goal Kicking with 101 goals - first player to kick 100 goals at this level.
2008:
Reserves with Josh Tymensen as coach lose Grand Final to Cora Lynn at Cora Lynn.
Goaler, Georgi Williams wins EDNA E Grade Best & Fairest.
2009:
Netball change uniform to a dress replicating the Australian Diamonds style.
Football Club is the first club in Victoria to wear pink football jumpers, for the "Footy Kicks Cancer" fundraiser, raising approx. $13,000 for the Cancer Council
Fifths lose the Grand Final to KooWeeRup.
2010:
In Light Blue & Silver jumpers, "Footy Kicks Cancer" raises approx. $15,000.
2011:
First time Seniors don't make finals, after a record nine consecutive years.
2012:
Oval upgrade with new drainage and automated sprinkler system implemented.
Owen Fitzpatrick wins Senior EDFL Goal Kicking with 93 goals.
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2013:
Reserves coached by Shane "Ralph" Warren win Premiership defeating Nar Nar Goon by 20 points, 9.10.64 - 6.8.44 at Warragul. Phil Strahan named BOG.
2014:
EDFL split into two divisions – East & West, Catani in the West division.
New storage facility at Netball Club enables plans to start for bigger upgrade to club and change rooms.
Start NetSetGO program for netballers aged 5-10 years.
Owen Fitzpatrick wins Senior EDFL West Goal Kicking with 61 goals.
Defender Rebecca Kinna wins EDNA West A Grade Best & Fairest award.
2015:
Netball Rooms upgrade/extension to existing rooms opened 22nd August.
Brad "Snags" McDonald plays 400th Club game.
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2016:
Luke McFarlane plays 300 Senior games receiving EDFL Life Membership.
Football club invests in new coaches boxes.
2017:
Catani under Paul Alger as Coach win Senior & Thirds under Tanny Rodda & Dylan Williams win Premierships at Warragul - TWO FLAGS!
Seniors 5.7.37 defeat Warragul Industrials 5.6.36 - Nic Visser wins GF BOG Medal.
Thirds 3.9.27 defeat Neerim South 3.7.25 - Trent Adams wins BOG award.
Paul Pattison wins Senior EDFL Best & Fairest award.
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2018:
2nd June v Neerim South, Owen Fitzpatrick kicks his 1000th EDFL senior goal.
A Grade lose Preliminary Final in Double-Over-Time at Longwarry.
13&Under Netball lose Grand Final to Ellinbank at Warragul.
Under 18s Football coached by Wade Haysom lose Grand Final to Neerim South.
Lauchlan Gregson wins Thirds EDFL Goal Kicking award with 104 goals.
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2019:
A sponsorship from the Bendigo Bank provided the Football Club with a new digital scoreboard - a huge upgrade from the old faithful scoreboard.
Netball courts resurfaced providing a facility envious around the league.
All six Netball teams make finals - first time in history with five making the Grand Final Day at Yarragon. (15&Under lost Preliminary to eventual premiers).
13&Under lose to Ellinbank 16-30. 17&Under lose to Poowong 39-41.
C Grade lose to Ellinbank 26-33.
Coached by Angela Banbury - B Grade defeat Ellinbank 45-38. Wing Attack, Angela Banbury named Best on Court.
Coached by Leanne Smith - A Grade defeat Poowong 51-37 - TWO FLAGS!
Defender Danielle Hanley named Best on Court.
Catani Netball Club wins the Harry Wood Memorial Junior Club Championship and the Beryl Hughes Memorial EDNA Club Championship along with the 13&Under Goal Throwing award.
Defender Cara Moody wins EDNA B Grade and Goaler Stephanie Lee wins 17&Under EDNA Best & Fairest awards.
An unheralded year for the Netball Club!
2020:
Netball Club host "Bushfire Tournament" raising money for the devastating fires around the country with eight local Clubs coming to Catani to play.
Season postponed a week prior to Round 1 then abandoned due to COVID-19.
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2021:
Finally unveiled 2019 A & B Grade Premiership Flags at Round 1.
Netball Grandstands named after Nancye McDonald and Beryl Banbury.
Anzac Day celebrated with match against Lang Lang with specially designed football jumpers and netball bibs.
Club creates Max Miles (football) and Mavis Schrieber (netball) medals in honour of their service during WWII. Awarded to Tanny Rodda and Ashleigh Honan for their display of the ANZAC spirit - courage, mateship and sacrifice.
Only half season played with second half cancelled due to COVID-19.
2022:
Netball Club unveil their new uniform on the 9th July, with a design specially made for the Club by Bunurong artist Koorrin Edwards with the themes of family, community, togetherness and team.
On the same day, Angela Banbury played her 500th Club game.
Catani Football Club wins EDFL Most Disciplined Club award.
2023:
Football club name the clubrooms end goal square after Owen Fitzpatrick.
Auskick launched by the football club in a bid to rejuvenate junior football.
13s Netball coached by Angela Banbury & Antonia McFarlane defeat Buln Buln for first 13s Premiership for the Netball Club. Miley Warde named Best on Court.​
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2024:
Catani Junior Football Club established with three teams, Under 10s, 12s, 14s competing in the West Gippsland Junior Football League.
Under 18s return for the Senior club with Brad Adams coaching the team to a historic Premiership in wet conditions at Yarragon, defeating Poowong 4.3.27 to 1.10.16. Co Captain Will Kouris named Best on Ground with his Co Captain Declan McFarlane winning the 18s League Best and Fairest.
Three netball teams make finals, C Grade losing the Semi Final. The 17s coached by Leanne Smith & Dani Hanley losing the Grand Final to Poowong 34 - 40. The 15s coached by Antonia McFarlane and Angela Banbury won the Premiership, defeating Buln Buln 22 - 18. Miley Warde for the second consecutive year named Best on Court.