Please be advised of the following amendment to the VFL Senior fixture:
Round 14 Collingwood vs. Casey Scorpions has been scheduled to be played at Trevor Barker Beach Oval, Sandringham at 1:10 PM (ABC TV) on Saturday 18th July.
The game was previously scheduled for Victoria Park.
Rupert Betheras 2009 The Broadford Hold-up 23 June - 11 July 2009
Alcaston Gallery is pleased to present the second solo exhibition of this exciting young artist.
This exhibition chronicles the development of Betheras art. It resembles his youthful spirit, but also includes his roots in street or graffiti art, the influence of supportive artists like David Larwill, lifes ups and downs and the powerful effect on his art of Aboriginal artists he has met over the past ten years.
He paints like he played football; fast, furious, incredibly focused and with a passion that is full on. His work ethic too, as it was when playing, is to be admired, but his assertive mark making is now developing into something special and enduring. He is telling us how he feels, where he has been, where he is going and all the things that make up the life of Rupert Betheras.
"Some works were painted on Wurundjeri Land, in a rooftop studio on the top floor of the former Collingwood Football Club grandstand. The room was once a media observation area and there is a spectacular aerial view of the oval and surrounds at Victoria Park." Rupert Batheras 2009
Please contact the gallery on 03 9418 6444 or email Nikki Iacovella at art@alcastongallery.com.au to express an interest in previewing this exhibition.
May 2009
Council hands down draft 2009/10 budget...
6.2.1 Carried forward works ($5.713 million)
At the end of each financial year there are projects, which are either incomplete or not commenced due to planning issues, weather delays, extended consultation etc. For the 2008/09 year it is forecast that $4.683 million of capital works will be incomplete and be carried forward into the 2009/10 year. The more significant projects include:
Victoria Park - $850,000 Alphington Park Pavilion / Grandstand - $819,000 Collingwood Town Hall and Precinct - $671,500 Collingwood Leisure Centre Upgrade - $600,000
6.2.7 Buildings/Properties ($6.527 million)
For the 2009/10 year the more significant projects include:
North Fitzroy Library & Community Hub - $1,600,000 Edinburgh Gardens Cricket Pavilion - $1,067,400 Victoria Park Bob Rose Pavilion / Social Club - $1,000,000 Collingwood Leisure Centre Redevelopment - $700,000 Adaptive Assets Program - $250,000 Fitzroy Town Hall - $250,000 Public Toilet Rollout Program - $250,000
$850,000 of capital works including the removal of the R T Rush Stand roof has been held over in the 09/10 budget.
Not yet saved, but the unthinkable has been postponed.
FITZROY STARS FC
Welcome to Victoria Park!
NFL ROUND 2 2009
Fitzroy Stars 18.14.122 Defeated Parkside 10.8.68
Fitzroy Stars Goal Kickers: D. Turner 6, J. Hayes 4, L. Proctor 3, J. Kanoa, D. Welsh, C. Brown, E. Edwards, L. Mc Keown Best Players: R. Young, L. Proctor, K. Brown, J. Kanoa, D. Turner, L. Bamblett
Parkside Goal Kickers: R. Wise 2, B. Hockey 2, D. King, D. McCall, A. Romano, N. Miller, J. Gresham, T. McKinlay Best Players: T. Lekkas, J. Gresham, P. McMaster, D. Egan, D. McCall, D. Gresham
For more information, call Troy Austin, Fitzroy Stars Football Club, on 0408 569 508. MEDIA ENQUIRIES Communications & Public Affairs Ph: (03) 8470 8511
Calder Cannons Goal Kickers: R. Hicks 5, J. Melksham 4, J. Thompson 4, S. McCallum 2, J. Carlisle, D. Tydell, D. Prestia, T. Lucin, M. Wallis, A. McLeod Best Players: S. McCallum, D. Prestia, T. Liberatore, R. Hicks, J. Melksham, A. Duhau
NSW ACT Rams Goal Kickers: K. Emery 3, W. Hancock, J. Nesbitt, C. Andrews, S. Jolliffe, B. Jones, N. Howe, B. Camilleri Best Players: W. Langford, J. Duncan, K. Emery, J. Olsson, S. Jolliffe, J. Tutt
Two of the Collingwood Football Club's young hopefuls on the NSW Scholarship list had a taste of what being a Magpie is really all about. Tom Young and Ben Camilleri ran out onto Victoria Park on a glorious Sunday Autumn afternoon om Abbotsford with the NSW/ACT Rams.
15 feb 2009
Magpies beat Saints
A gathering of members from the AFL interforums Nick's Builetin Board and Saintsational got together for a bit of fun on the former home of the Mighty Magpies. In beautiful conditions the Pies came home triumphant by 31 points with the final score reading...
Collingwood 18.14.122 defeated St Kilda 13.13.91
A great day was had by all
Feb 2009
We farewell a Victoria Park veteran Charles McCallum
Born 18th August 1905 Died 6th February 2009
Dearly loved husband of Mabel (dec.). Loved and loving father of Margaret, Janet, Malcolm, Judith and Barbara. Charles started supporting the Pies during the great Machine Team days and was at the 1935, 1936, 1953, 1958 and 1990 premiership triumphs. In all Charles was alive for twelve Magpie premierships starting with the 1910 triumph as just a five year old. He also saw his fair share of heartbreak too.
Rest in peace Collingwood's longest ever serving fan.
Jan 2009
Vale John 'Jack' Hickey DFC 1920 - 2009
It is with great sadness that we farewell one of Victoria Park's favourite sons.
Jack passed away suddenly at his Kew home on Saturday the 3rd of January at the age of 88.
We pass on our deepest sympathies and condolences to Nancy and the Hickey family in this time of grief.
Jack Hickey was born in Toowoomba on September 21st 1920 and moved to Melbourne. In 1939 Jack enlisted at Point Cook airbase in the RAAF and was assigned to 22 Squadron. Jack became a squaron leader and received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service in World War 2. Jack was discharged from service on October 22nd 1945 at the age of 25.
Collingwood President 1976-1982
In Collingwoods darkest hour while Ern Clarke was busy bickering with The Weed (almost exactly like Kennedy/Thompson in the movie The Club), Jack was swept to power in that dark June of '76. Like Ed, his first item in the trophy cabinet would be wooden. But Jack, with former premiership player Peter Lucas and Club administrative stalwart Gordon Carlyon by his side, embarked on an ambitious plan to modernise the Collingwood Football Club while still respecting the past. The tradition of selecting former Collingwood players as coach was dispensed with, thanks mostly to a chance meeting on a flight back from Perth between Jack and T-shirt Tommy and the tough hard working Tom Hafey was appointed the toughest job in football.
What happened next was a roller-coaster ride of great promise and ultimate gut-wrenching failure. While the Club had once again regained financial stability, nobody will remember the great work done off the field to rebiuld the Club, only how close and how far we were from winning what the game is really all about. A premiership.
1977. Tommy's men take it all the way and lead by 27 points at the last change only to see Barassi's North snatch the lead. Twiggy marks and goals to give us a replay but the Pies let it slip. 2nd, but the rise is so meteoric that we all know something big is just around the corner.
1978. Tommy gets us to a prelim and Thommo leaves the Pies exactly 14 seasons after he played his first game, which was also a prelim loss to Essendon in '65. Pies finish third. Surely it is just a matter of time.
1979. A new breed emerges. Kids with names like Shaw, Daicos, Banks and a swashbuckling mobile ruck by the name of Moore take the Club to some long awaited silverware in the Escort Cup night premiership win. September can't come soon enough. On a wet and miserable day the Filth steal a commanding lead. Tommy's kids fight back and then disaster strikes. Everyone can see it, except the one person that should have. 2nd again and a pattern is emerging. Still the team is young and there is much to look forward to.
1980. The Pies , in their fortress at Victoria Park, are unstopable. Marching towards another Grand Final. Bitter disappointment in the night cup when a goal after the siren steals the game. Deja Vu. Umpires rob us again?!!! September comes, the parade, the kids on show and looking hungry, this is the year!!! Tigers too good. Colliwobbles. 2nd again. Where was our Leeter Collier to thump that Fartlett bastard!
1981. Tommy's workman like ethic fits Victoria Park and Collingwood to a tee. Pies will play off yet again against the arch enemy for one last horah that would be more like a horror. 2nd again. Did the Pies suffer stage fright? Colliwobbles? Did they try too hard? Or was it simply that circumstances conspired against a team and a Club that deserved better. Who knows.
Jack Hickey was a wonderful president that brought democracy and stability back to Victoria Park. Under Jack and Tom Hafey the Pies would play 138 games and win 89 of them and finish runners up a staggering four times.
Rest in peace Collingwood warrior. Floreat Pica
Dec 17th 2008
Collingwood president Eddie McGuire has assured members at the Club's AGM that Victoria Park is still in the Club's hearts and minds. While the Collingwood Football Club is understandably focussed on the business of football and preparing our young players for the 2009 premiership assault, we can not escape where we have come from. From the Club's very first moments in 1892, right through to 2004, for over a century the Collingwood Magpies called Victoria Park home. 15 premiership flags have proudly waved atop the member's grand stands built and paid for by supporters of the Collingwood Football Club.
Let us not forget the wonderful contribution that the Collingwood Football Club has made to the local municipality over the 113 year journey. Relief for the unemployed in the darkest of economic times, aiding the two world war efforts, the annual Christmas lunch (Collingwood continues to host the lunch at the Lexus Centre) and bringing a community together under the Black and White banner. The amazing support, that has always followed the Collingwood Football Club, has brought untold wealth into the local community.
It is time for VFL football to return home in 2009.
Dec 9th 2008 Melbourne Leader
Abbotsford residents need more open space?
Then what do you call all that green stuff just a few short steps east of Victoria Park?
Heritage Victoria decides Nov 21st 2008
Heritage Victoria has released its recommendations to the Yarra City Council's Master Plan.
On the retention list now are the following:
Scoreboard
Time Clock
Perimeter walls
The R T Rush terraces
Red brick walls along Lulie and Abbot Streets
Unfortunately Heritage Victoria has not seen the value in retaining the cantilevered roof and the upper terracing of the R T Rush Stand. The council has the opportunity to open Victoria Park up and ruin the fortress like appearance of the stadium but while the roof is still there we will continue to fight for it's retention and renovation.
The 2009 VFL fixture has been released and we are pleased to announce three games scheduled for Victoria Park as follows:
ROUND 14 Saturday July 18th 1:00pm COLLINGW09D v Casey Victoria Park
ROUND 17 Sunday August 8th 2:00pm COLLINGW09D v Werribee Victoria Park
ROUND 19 Saturday August 22nd 2:00pm COLLINGW09D v Frankston Victoria Park
From Collingwood's 2007/08 financial report:
Victoria Park
The Company has an access agreement for a further year with an annual instalment of $100,000, payable in 2009.
Rec-league on at Victoria Park
Wednesday 16th July Footy for the homeless and underprivileged Featuring players from the Collingwood Football Club
Victoria Park welcomes back a favourite son.
The Rupe
Rupert Betheras #10 Collingwood 1998 -2003 85 games and 35 goals
Debuted on April 11th 1999 at Victoria Park v West Coast
Rupert is using the facilities at Victoria Park to prepare for a new exhibition.
The Yarra City's demolition plans are on hold as Heritage Victoria seeks further information. Heritage Victoria will take further submissions for a short time and then a decision will be made.
Heritage Victoria Department of Planning and Community Development Level 7, 8 Nicholson Street East Melbourne Victoria 3002
Yarra City hands down draft budget for 2008/09.
It is proposed that Victoria Park will receive $876,750 for 'rehabilitation' in 2008/09 Carried over from the 2007/08 budget is $84,000 for works to open the Eastern side of the ground and $50,000 for the removal of the scoreboard.
NEWS ARCHIVE
Rupert Betheras 2009 
He paints like he played football; fast, furious, incredibly focused and with a passion that is full on. His work ethic too, as it was when playing, is to be admired, but his assertive mark making is now developing into something special and enduring. He is telling us how he feels, where he has been, where he is going and all the things that make up the life of Rupert Betheras. 
Vale John 'Jack' Hickey DFC
