Wild Men of Montmorency

“Diamond Valley footy in the 1970s and 1980s was hard and tough footy at its best and sometimes worst. It was physical, brutal, occasionally spectacular and thrilling, captivating fans and players alike.  In this tribal cauldron where suburb was pitted against suburb there was no room for the feint-hearted”.

The Wild Men of Montmorency and other tales by Andrew Brasier recently published by the Montmorency Football Club adds to the community history and more importantly the recreational and sporting history of the local area.The collection of profiles presented relies heavily on the experience and memories of the author’s own association with the Club but this helps to interweave the voices of his contemporary subjects, mainly players but also administrators throughout the book.  

The 1970s through to the 2000’s is the main time frame covered. Despite the Club’s history going back to 1924, this is not a typical local history with little reference to the early history – and what there is – is presented at the back of the book.  Hall of Famers, including players who rose to the VFL are well represented.  Contemporary and some older photographs help illustrate this easy read. 

Greg de Moore at Eltham Library

Yarra Plenty Regional Library are very pleased to host Greg de Moore author of "Tom Wills: his spectacular rise and tragic fall" as part of the Bedside Reads Booklovers Festival.

"Greg De Moore has carefully pierced together Tom's life, giving us an extraordinary portrait of the life and times of one of our first sporting heroes, a man who lived by his own rules and whose contribution to Australian history has endured for more than 150 years"

Tom Wills is credited as creating the game we now know as Australian Rules Football. He was also an excellent cricketer in his own right representing Melbourne clubs and Victoria regularly.

"Tom became a member of the Collingwood Cricket Club and some months later played against Heidelberg on "the prettiest ground in the colony". On an "oppresively hot" day Tom took 7 wickets, playing a key role to defeat Heidelberg..."

Greg De Moore will be at Eltham Library
Tuesday 28 July
7.00pm - 8.00pm
Bookings 9439 9266