Woori Yallock Football Netball Club are saddened by the passing of its beloved friend, supporter, past president, committee and life member on 22 August – Ivan Ferugson.
Ivan was born on 15 November 1931 at Lilydale and lived in Woori Yallock all his life. Ivan was a very keen sportsman, excelling in cricket and football.
As a young boy in the depression, it was Ivan’s job to look after the only two footballs that Woori Yallock had, the balls were to be kept at the family’s General Store in Woori to prevent them from being stolen. Ivan had the job of polishing the balls every week for the game on Saturday.
Following the Second World War, whilst still a schoolboy, he found himself secretary of the newly re-formed cricket club, where he continued to play for many seasons.
He played his first game of football with Woori at the age of 16 in 1948, just missing out on the premiership year of 1947. Ivan played with Woori until 1955, winning the best and fairest in 1950.
The newly formed Valley United Football Club began in 1956 and continued till 1962.
Ivan played in that team until mid-1959 when a farm accident curtailed his football career.
Ivan was also a very fast runner having been a member of the footballer’s relay team that competed for VUFC at the Lilydale Show, winning in three consecutive years 1956, ‘57 and ‘58. The three other members of the team were Alec Angus, Leon Lewis, and Robin McQuie.
Woori Yallock reformed in 1963 with Ivan as President. It was a tough year, failing to win a game. Evan Hunter took over the presidency from 1964 to 1969. Ivan again took the reins as President from 1970 to 1975 in what was to become the halcyon years of the WYFC, winning four premierships in five years. Amazingly, that feat was to be equalled forty years later this time with Ivan as the Timekeeper) in all 12 WYFC premierships from 1970 to 2014.
As well as being President of the Football Club, he has also been President of WY Cricket Club, he has also been President of the Yarra Junction Bowling Club of which he was a playing member for many years.
He helped establish the Yellingbo Cubs and Scouts, was president of the Woori Yallock Primary School and Upper Yarra Secondary College school councils in the ‘60s and ‘70s, as well as holding the positions of secretary and president of the Probus Club of Upper Yarra.
One of Ivan’s favourite pastimes was to attend the old Woori Yallock Hotel on a Friday night for a catch up with many friends, a few beers and a couple of scotches. When it got to the stage that the only voice that could be heard was Ivan’s, it was generally accepted that he was well into the scotches. Ivan’s legacy will be his lifelong commitment to everything Woori, especially the football club.
Ivan was always at the club watching the boys train rain hail or shine, always having Thursday dinner and a glass of red right up until 2022, his presence has been greatly missed. His greatest love was seeing the Woori Yallock younger players progressing into the senior side.
If any one person deserves a statue in their honour, it is Ivan Ferguson.
Behind Ivan every step of the way was his much loved and loving wife Joan, married for 69 years, she was his rock.
Our sincere love to Joan, John, Janet, Andrew and Anne and their extended families
A better man we are yet to meet.
Ivan will be sadly missed by so many in the community.
Ivan’s funeral will be at the Heritage and Heritage Funeral Home in Woori Yallock, located at 1416 Healesville – Koo Wee Rup Rd, on the 11 September at 2pm.
