General News
10 August, 2022
Hundreds farewell club stalwart
WOORNDOO Mortlake Football Netball Club has lost its biggest supporter with the recent passing of Kathleen Grant.
WOORNDOO Mortlake Football Netball Club has lost its biggest supporter with the recent passing of Kathleen Grant.
Kathleen, or Kath as she was fondly known by many, died at her Mortlake home on Friday July 29 at the age of 91.
An avid footy fan, Kath rarely missed a game of her beloved Woorndoo Tigers in more than six decades.
Kath’s involvement with the club began in 1960 when husband Ken signed up to play with the Tigers.
“Back then, the Woorndoo Football Club was in the Mt Noorat League and dad was keen to have a kick with the Tigers,” daughter Jenni (Robertson) said.
Kath and Ken were married nine years prior and began their life together on the family farm in Dundonnell.
Ken played his early football at Darlington and Kath soon followed – joining the women’s team in the town and competing in what was then known, Jenni believes, as the Western Plains League.
“Dad coached the women’s side and mum played – she was pretty good too; never afraid to get in amongst the pack and have a go; they were tough as nails.”
Ken and Kath moved to Mortlake towards the end of 1986 but sadly, less than 12 months later, Ken passed away from cancer at the age of 60.
“Like mum, dad absolutely loved his time at the footy club. He played, coached, held the positions of both president and secretary over the years and they were both honoured with life memberships which they treasured,”Jenni said.
She believes Kath’s association with and love for the Tigers is what kept her mum going in the months following her dad’s death.
“I truly believe the footy club is what kept mum going after dad died,” Jenni said.
“It gave her something to look forward to every week. Mum didn’t have a lot of other interests outside footy and I think the social aspect of the club was also dear to her heart."
“Mum’s dear friends Edna McColl and Alice Robertson were also Tigers supporters and loved their regular trips.”
When Kath was no longer able to drive herself to the games, Jenni and husband Bushy took over.
“I can probably count on one hand the number of games mum missed from 1960 right up to the week she died – it would have taken something like a hospital stay to keep her away,” Jenni said.
“Every Monday or Tuesday night mum would lay out the clothes she planned to wear to the footy and on game day she’d be waiting on her verandah for us to pick her up – spot on 11am.”
So important was her weekly routine to Kath, that Jenni can recall one Saturday being left behind in Mortlake.
“I can remember one Saturday I was running a little late but mum wouldn’t wait – they left right on 11am and left me behind."
“Mum also had to take her brown handbag with her every week. It had a blue plastic plate, a plastic knife and fork, straws, serviettes, salt and the top of a take-away coffee cup.”
Kath would send Bushy to the club canteen to buy her two rounds of salad sandwiches, a hot dog and a cup of tea.
“Mum said they never put enough salt in the sandwiches so she took her own, and she always wanted her lid on her cuppa – she made us laugh,” she said.
“And she loved the afternoon teas the club put on each week for life members; it gave her a chance to catch up with people.”
When not sitting in the car watching “her Tigers” Kath would spend hours in front of her TV supporting her second favourite club – the Carlton Blues.
“Mum was a one-eyed Blue at home; she was horrified that dad was a Collingwood supporter and I followed West Coast; according to mum any team that wasn’t based in Victoria was an overseas one.”
In what was a fitting tribute to a very special lady, hundreds gathered at the Woorndoo clubrooms last Thursday to celebrate Kath’s life and pay their respects to one of the Tigers’ most loyal supporters.
The Blues theme song was played at the beginning of the service and the Tigers song at the conclusion.
In true reflection of Kath’s love for the Tigers, the casket was black and gold and featured the Tigers logo.
“It was a lovely service and we’re very appreciative of all who attended – mum would have been absolutely thrilled,” Jenni said.
“The club gave mum so much happiness and for that we’re very thankful.”
A guard of honour was formed at the gates as Kath exited the Woorndoo ground for the final time, amidst loud applause.
Kath Grant was laid to rest at the Mortlake cemetery.
She is survived by her children Jenni and David, grandchildren Luke and Tamara (and partners Brooke and Ashley) and great grandchildren Molly, Lucy, Jorja, Lainie and Kobe.
A Tiger laid to rest.
RIP.
