In 1954 a ‘young ladies’ football team was the talk of Yarra Glen when they played against a team of young male players – the Yarra Glen Football Club juniors. The match was staged as a fundraiser for the Good Friday 3DB Children’s Hospital Appeal, raising £26/6/0 (equivalent to $A1030 today.) The Lilydale Express reported that from “…the first bounce till last the match was a crowd pleaser, though it was obvious that the ‘young ladies’ would be hard pressed to subdue their more vigorous if smaller opponents. Umpire Ned O’Brien handled the game in masterly fashion making ‘tactful’ decisions just when it appeared that the girls would collapse under the pressure exerted by the juniors. Even so, the game went to the juniors, the final scores being 10.12 to 8.4. Best of the energetic young stars were Brian Millsom, “Curly” and Bill Brudenell, Frank Woods, Laurie Smith, Don Ayres, Peter Walden, Graeme Smith and Graeme Taylor. For the ladies team Mrs Mary Wilson turned out to be a real goal sneak, bagging two majors; Marg Ellis marked like a champion, whilst Elaine Wilson …was well to the fore in the ruck.” Mrs Mary Millsom was the captain and Mrs Ev Smith was the coach.
In September 1957 the Yarra Glen Ladies challenged the Old Buffers to another charity match. Unfortunately the results of this match are no longer available, but a good time was had by all.
