Burdekin FC Celebrates 50 Years

The Burdekin Football Club has marked its golden jubilee with a grand celebration, the Burdekin FC 50 Year Gala Dinner, last weekend.

The club, steeped in history and tradition, extended invitations to life members, past and present players, committee members, coaches, managers, sponsors, and dedicated supporters for an unforgettable evening of reminiscing and festivities.

Guest speakers reflected on each decade of the club’s history, ably led by emcees Michael Taylor, Monica Licciardello and Callan Sunderland, while attendees listened and laughed along.

The Burdekin Memorial Hall was a room filled with passion and pride last Saturday, October 14 as Burdekin FC celebrated 50 years of club football.

Laughs were shared and tears were shed as guest speakers told stories from the last 50 years, with some attendees coming from as far as Western Australia to join their former teammates for the celebration.

“The night was an opportunity to recognise our life members, all committees, coaches, players, sponsors and volunteers,” said Burdekin FC President Laurence Dal Santo.

“From the early beginnings, the club has had strong membership and community spirit which has been achieved by our success on and off the field.

“As we look to the future, we have gone back to our original club colours of black and white for our playing strip which looks awesome.

“We continue to have the best ground in north Queensland and are looking at upgrading both our junior and senior amenities in the coming year.”

The night adopted a chat show format where emcees Michael Taylor and Monica Licciardello invited special guests to the stage to reflect on each decade of the club’s history, while ‘roving reporter’ Callan Sunderland ran amok interviewing members of the audience.

Hugh Montgomery and Richard Samwell were first to reflect on the club’s foundation years before Graeme Ferguson and Tracey Walker (Power) took to the stage to discuss 1983-1992, Felix Gabiola and Catherine West (Roncato) discussed 1993-2002, Michael Lequerica, Chris Achille and Emily Christie (Saxby) spoke on 2003-2012 and Angelo Licciardello, Kate Southern (Castelanelli), Lyndsay Gabiola and Maddison Dal Santo talked about the last decade.

Alan Chatfield and Mark Grasso spoke about the legacy of junior football at the club while Richard Samwell and Ramon Oar reflected on Masters.

Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Lyn McLaughlin also took to the stage to congratulate the club.

“Burdekin FC has been an integral part of the community for the past 50 years, fostering unity, teamwork and a love for sports,” Ms McLaughlin said.

“The club has provided a platform for skill development, healthy competition, and social bonding. Their efforts have enhanced community spirit and brought joy to both young and old.

“On behalf of Council and the Burdekin community, I congratulate the thousands of people, including committee members, life members, club members, all players past and present, sponsors and supporters who have made the Burdekin FC one of the very successful sporting associations in the Burdekin.

“The dedication, passion and hard work have made the club a beacon of excellence, providing excellent facilities, great competitions and very importantly a welcoming, friendly environment to play either a competitive or social game.”

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Back row L-R Burdekin Shire Council Mayor Lyn McLaughlin with the organising committee Callan Sunderland, Kyle Taylor, Joshua Valle, Kate Southern, Alison Oar, Ramon Oar, Michael Taylor, Laurence Dal Santo. Front row L-R Carla Dal Santo, Maddison Dal Santo, Monica Licciardello and Sian Reardon. Photo credit: Ruby Gorlick

Burdekin FC Life Members. Front row L-R Hugh Montgomery, Carlo Capuzzi, Gino Giachin, Charlie Nucifora, Richard Samwell, Beni Ballao, James McLean. Back row L-R Connor Johansen on behalf of Felix Siandri, Josh Valle on behalf of Ray Coppo, Michael Gabiola on behalf of Peter Gabiola, Noel Walker, Alan Chatfield, Graeme Ferguson, Graham Hutley and Ramon Oar. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

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