19/09/2026
2026 NBFNC AWARDS
LIFE MEMBER INDUCTEE - Bruce “Jock” Ross
Tonight, the Natte Bealiba Football Netball Club has the privilege of recognising someone whose involvement with our club spans many decades.
While our early club records may not tell the full story, it is rumoured that this person played as many as 160 games of football. What we do know is that they were a committed footballer who gave the game away at around 30 years of age following the passing of their father, stepping away from football to work on the farm and support their family.
But that certainly wasn’t the end of their involvement with Saturday football.
They returned to the club in their famous white coat, taking on the role of goal umpire for more than 20 years.
One of the great stories from this time involves Barry Mortlock, who had stepped away from playing to do the goals. Barry apparently wasn’t particularly impressed with what he saw from behind the posts, declaring that the footballers were “useless” and that if someone else would do the goals, he would make a comeback!
Thankfully, our mystery man was more than happy to take over the white coat and let Barry get back on the field.
For more than 30 years, he has turned up to working bees and played a major role in maintaining and improving the clubrooms and grounds. He has carted countless loads of gypsum to help maintain the oval and has always been willing to get his hands dirty and do whatever needed to be done.
His contribution to the wider Recreation Reserve has been equally significant. He served for approximately 30 years on the Recreation Committee, helping oversee the ongoing improvement of the facilities. He was awarded the club person award in 1992.
And he’s time on the Recreation Committee was certainly never short on entertainment! He was very fortunate to have a punctual and very hands-on assistant in Marg Pilgram, who often had the job of steering the forever-late and very chatty bloke back on track during meetings!
Water has also been an important part of keeping our oval going, and Jock has been instrumental in helping organise and maintain a reliable water supply. There are plenty of stories about Boo and Stevie ringing Jock when the oval needed watering and asking the question: “Are there permits to support this?” Perhaps some details of those arrangements are best left to history!
And that mystery man is, of course… Duncan Bruce “Jock” Ross!
Jock’s contribution to the club has also extended through Inverlore Farm Enterprises, which over the years provided employment opportunities for many of our footballers. This helped support our players both on and off the field, keeping them connected to the club, their teammates and the wider community.
Jock’s connection with the club continues to this day. Most Saturday nights you will find him at Natte for tea, often alongside fellow Life Members Barry and Phil, enjoying the social side of the club that he has helped build over so many years.
He will often purchase extra meals on a Saturday night to take home to Chrissy and to have for lunch the following day.
For many years, Jock has been a familiar face sitting at the Life Members’ table, sharing in the club’s celebrations and watching generations of players come through.
So, perhaps it was time we looked back at the history behind the man sitting at that table.
Congratulations, Jock! 🏆
