History

In The Beginning

The inaugural meeting of the Golden City Netball Association Incorporated (then the Bendigo Women's Basketball Association) was held on 22 June 1961 at the home of one of the foundation members of the Association, Mrs Doris Millar.

A small band of women met to discuss the feasibility of forming another Association in the Bendigo District. Discussion revealed the increasing number of women and girls playing basketball and it was decided there were sufficient numbers and interest to form another Association to be known as the Bendigo Women's Basketball Association. Office bearers were elected and all in attendance formed the first commitee.

Amongst the decisions made at the inaugural meeting was the suggestion that all primary schools be contacted and invited to enter teams in the Association which would commence competition in 1962. The Bendigo City Council Was Approached for permission to use courts at Garden Gully. Several fund raising activities took place in order that the Association could be established.

1962

The first meeting for 1962 was attended by ten teams with one apology. The name of the Association was changed to Golden City Women's Basketball Association and in that year the Association affiliated with the Victorian Women's Basketball Association. The fees for the first season were set at two shillings per player registration, and one shilling per player each playing Saturday.

The season opened with a March Past of teams followed by a Lightning Premiership. The Mayor of Bendigo officially opened the season and Stan Meredith judged the March Past. The Association graciously accepted trophy donations from Bradford Cotton Mills and Sympag Egg Company.

Uniform length was set at 8 inches above the knee when kneeling. Umpires were invited to write about the match they officiated at in order to assist the Press Secretary with her report for the "Bendigo Advertiser". It was decided that scorers should sit together, the scorecard would be the official result.

The hub of administration was a tin shed where Mrs Lewis catered for the refreshment requirements of players and supporters. The Constitution was read, adopted and distributed to all teams.

Two teams were entered to represent the Association at Country Weekend titles - Open and Under 17. Another team was selected to travel and play in the Loddon Valley Tournament.

1963

The Council Levelled and graded the area at the bottom of Ashley Street (known as Pandora Oval) for the start of the season. The courts had to be lined each week with limil before play could commence. Two teams were again entered at Country Week, with teams also going to Loddon Valley and Shepparton. The proposal to light some of the courts was put on hold, in order to put more metal on courts for safety of players.

1964

Saturday morning competition began for Juniors. Fund raising included doubling fees for one week to support the girls selected in the State Schoolgirls' team. On the same basis, funds were raised for a brick shelter and kiosk.

1965

The kiosk and shelter became a reality and appreciation was expressed to Messrs. Robb, Dellar and Pearse for their voluntary labour in the construction of the facility.

1966

Steel Poles were erected for ten courts. It was decided to purchase Association uniforms - in previous years club uniforms had been worn.

1967

It was decided to light two courts and quotations were sought for this. Lights were installed at a cost of $858.60.

1968

A night competition was organised. It was also decided to reseal courts prior to the 1969 season.

1970

An electric siren was installed.

1971

The Association became known as Golden City Netball Association to fit in with the change from 'Women's Basketball' to 'Netball' throughout the world.

In order to cope with the increased number of members playing netball, a Registration Secretary was appointed and charged with keeping a list of all girls and to ensure that they played only one match each Saturday.

1972

Fund raising began for proposed Stadium - $10 levy per team.

1973

New Zealand national team visited Bendigo and Golden City hosted the visit. The YMCA in Mundy St was the venue for the match between New Zealand and Golden City which followed a Mayoral Reception for the visitors.

1974

A Foot-trial was organised to raise funds for the stadium.

1975

The Golden City Open team participated in a match against the Victorian Under 21 team at Festival as a curtain-raiser to the Victoria versus Jamaica match.

1975 also saw the completion of the West Bendigo Stadium for use of netball and basketball.

1976

The Association moved to new headquarters on Marong Rd. The facility had two indoor courts and nine outside courts. An office was erected for the running of Saturday competitions.

The year also saw the introduction of formal night competitions with netball played at the stadium on Thursday evenings. Playing initials became compulsory.

1977

Lots of fund-raising activities were organised in 1977 and included - Golden City badges/car stickers, theatre nights and golf days.

1978

More lights were added to the security lights on the outside courts so teams could train. Golden Jubilee of Netball was celebrated at Country Weekend. Open winners - Golden City - for the fifth consecutive year.

1980

The Association was invited to participate in Dunlop Invitational Carnival in Canberra on 20 July 1980.

1981

Grade 3 Clinic commenced. Construction of three additional outside courts to be investigated.

1982

Introduction of Twilight Competition for Under 14 and Under 12 teams, proved a very successful venture.

1983

Golden City Netball Association becomes an Incorporated Association when it becomes compulsory for all sporting bodies to do so.

1984

VNA Insurance introduced - $2 for Seniors, $1 for Juniors.

1985

Three new netball courts completed at a cost of $34,000. Golden City contributed $25,000 towards this amount. VNA introduced regions to netball and Regional Championships began.

1987

Negotions Began for new offices at West Bendigo.

1989

New Office complex opened by Cr. Colin Nankervis at a cost of $50,000 to Golden City. Obtained a ten year lease on the building from the Bendigo City Council.

1990

Combined with Kyabram to play Statue League.

1991

Obtained a 10 year lease on outside courts. Fence built around bottom nine courts.

1992

Three courts were lit at a cost of $40,000. Golden City entered a record eight teams at Country Week including one in H Grade for the first time. A celebration dinner was held to celebrate 30 years of the Golden City Netball Association.

1993

Five shelter sheds built around court area.

1995

Negotiations with council to have lease rewritten to stop parking on courts. Lease signed. Future plans for toilets and drinking fountains being discussed.

1996

Top three courts resurfaced at a cost of $15000 to the association. Top courts also fenced in.

1998

Bottom courts resurfaced. Landscaping starts between top and bottom courts. Seating placed around court area.

1999

Golden City takes on the computer age, purchasing a laptop computer.

2000

The Association joins with Sporting Globe and is now on the Internet.

2001

More seating added around courts.

2002

Concreting paths on top courts completed. Council to change lease, due to stadium extensions. 40th Anniversary Dinner held.

2003

Upgraded to cordless microphone and headset.