WA Football Commission

Bounce Down! organiser recognised in ParliamentTuesday, July 7, 2015 - 10:14 AM

On Thursday 25 June in Legislative Assembly, Brunette Lenkic was recogised for her work with Bounce Down! by the Member for Kingsley Ms A.R. Mitchell.

Extract from Hansard [ASSEMBLY — Thursday, 25 June 2015] p4887c-4887c: WOMEN’S AUSTRALIAN RULES FOOTBALL CENTENARY — BRUNETTE LENKIC 

"I would like to congratulate Greenwood resident, Brunette Lenkic, for her initiative and organisation of the celebration of the women’s Australian Rules football centenary held at the State Library of Western Australia recently. Inspiration for the initiative came through her daughters playing women’s Australian Rules, and so began her journey into history. With the support of the State Library, information was uncovered, including a 1917 diary of a young woman who played football, and people came forward with memorabilia and photographs. A playing uniform was on display and I think that this uniform inspired even greater admiration for the women who played wearing it."

"Women’s football began as a competitive sport in 1915 in Perth, when two teams from the department store Foy and Gibson played one another at Loton Park. The competition expanded to include other workplaces including Boans, Bon Marche and Economic Stores. The goldfields embraced the game in 1917, when two teams from Montgomery Bros’ Kalgoorlie and Boulder stores competed against each other. It was said that the women’s football games at this time and during World War II might even have been played to encourage men to join the war effort! They were used as a fundraiser."

"This exhibition has enhanced women’s Australian Rules football and recreated the history that was not recognised. Former and current players and their families were in attendance at the opening of the exhibition, along with representatives from the Australian Football League and the West Australian Football Commission. Congratulations, Brunette, on bringing a remarkable history together."

Further to Ms Mitchell's words, the WAWFL Board would like to thank Brunette and her committee for their hard work and commitment to putting together such a professional and exciting exhibit.

Bounce Down! runs until 31st July at the WA State Library, Northbridge.