About Bell Park

The Bell Park Football Club was formed in 1958 after the Bell Park Progress Association moved in1957 that the developing area required sporting facilities for the growing population. 

The following are extracts from the original minutes of the Bell Park Progress Association:-

Meeting Held 5 August 1957
Discussion took place on the committee’s recommendation that the Bell Park Cricket and Football club be formed covering U15 competition. Moved by Mr. Luhton
That committee’s action be endorsed. Carried.
It was then resolved that this matter be discussed fully at next meeting.

Meeting Held 2 September 1957
Moved by Mr. Johnstone seconded by Mr. Bedson that this association make application to the Corio Shire Council for the use of the cricket pitch for the coming season and the football oval for 1958. Carried.

Meeting Held 7 October 1957
Moved by Mr. Lupton seconded by Mr. Leishman that Corio Shire Council be written to informing them that our application for the hire of Cricket oval at Hamlyn Oval be cancelled, but that efforts will be made to affiliate with the appropriate body as regards fielding a football team for season 1958.

Meeting Held 3 February 1958
At this stage Mr. Bob McHenry, secretary of the Geelong Under 18 Football League addressed the meeting on all aspects of formation, fielding and running a Junior football team. Moved by Mr. Roberts,
 seconded by Mr. Conway that proposal regarding formation of an Under 15 football team to be left to the committee and act. Carried.

Meeting Held 3 March 1958
Discussion then ensued regarding formation of an Under 15 football team, to be affiliated with the Geelong Association. Election of office bearers resulted:-

President: Mr. Chris O’Shea.  Moved by Mr. Rumble 2nd Mr. Bedson
Vice President: Mr. Norm Garfoot. Moved by Mr. Conway 2nd Mr. Farrell
Secretary: Mr. Tony Balkin. Moved Mr. Jansen 2nd Mr. Gavin
Treasurer: Mr. Peter Jansen. Moved by Mr. Murtagh 2nd Mr. Conway
Coach: Mr. Eric Lynch
Delegates: Mr. R Haylock & Mr. Joe Conway Moved Mr. Murtagh 2nd Mr. Bedson
Committee: Mr. Norm Hisshion (First Aid) Mr. J Farrell & 
Mr. Frank Bedson

Remainder of committee will be finalised later among parents and players, as well as selectors.
It was resolved that the team will wear black knicks.

Geelong league & Geelong West Football secretaries to be contacted regarding footballs. Corio Shire council to be contacted regarding permission to use Hamlyn Oval, that goal posts be erected and that efforts be made to grass the oval.

The club commenced with black and white stripe jumpers borrowed from the Under 18 league which was an independent body, not affiliated with the Geelong & District Football League. In 1959 our original jumpers of bottle green with a white “V” was worn.

1972/1973 a cricket section was formed to enable all the footballers a chance to keep fit and stay in touch during the summer period. They played in the “C” grade final that year.    

In 1980 the then football committee moved to change from the original jumpers to Green & White vertical stripes the jumper as worn today.

In 1984 with the addition of other sports the Bell Park Sport & Recreation Club was formed, the club was made an Incorporated body in 1987.

The Geelong Football League in their wisdom introduced Netball into the league at the commencement of the 2000 season, all clubs have benefited from that decision. 

As with all organisations, volunteers are very important in any success which we all hope will occur. This club has been very fortunate in this regard, to name people would be unfair on the volunteers we may leave out. The Ladies who have assisted has been remarkable, in the early days the Ladies had their own committee and worked tirelessly for the Clubs success. 

The committees of every section of the club should be congratulated for their efforts. To each and every one of the volunteers the club says “Thank You”.     

Photo (right):  Inaugural Football Team Photo (1958)
Back Row: Committee Member: Joe Conway, Ivan Gillet, Cr Abe Wood, Barney Barling, Joe Grinter (V President), Peter Jensen (Treasurer), Norm Hisshion (Trainer), Max Knight (V President), Eric Lynch (Coach), Dave Gillett.

Middle Row: Ray Gillett, Denis Moreland, Kevin Johnstone  Brian McWiliam, Peter McIntrye, Brian Grinter (Capt), Uwe Heesch (Vice Capt), Carl Grace, David Foote, Gary Giles, Peter Knight.

Front Row: Robert Gillett, Les Tyach, L McWiliam, David Watt, B Gillett, Barry Johnstone, R Hanes, Lyle Grinter, Ken Moreland, Doug Knight.

Absent Committee Members: Chris O’Shea (President), Tony Balkin (Secretary), J Farrell, Frank Bedson, Norm Garfoot.

Photo (right): Inaugural Cricket Team (1972/1973)

Back Row: Gary Barmby, Russell Burgoyne, Graeme Smith, Jeff Jarvis, Alex Rizun, Linton Barmby, Warrick Heath, Ian Rogan.

Seated: Terry Watson, Brian Cornwell,  Ian Shimmen (Capt.) Geoff Taylor, Peter Knight, Graeme Alsop.