Memories of Tom

By Gus Underwood

Mar 18, 2025

The 1968 Undera premiership side (back) A. Sloper, B. Sloper, S. Freeman, P. Sleeth (vice-captain), K. Tyndall, T. Haigh, D. McNamara, F. Mark, J. Sellwood (president), L. McLarty, B. Lyle, J. Lyle, F. Mandersloot; (front) D. Everist (secretary), R. Gordon, R. James, B. Lyle, Des Sleeth (captain-coach), P. Mark, J. Ough, J.Pell and G. Vearing. Photo by Contributed

My first memory of Tom Haigh was almost scary.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

It was in my days as a freckle-faced, snotty nosed kid attending Kyabram’s Haslem St school in the 1950s where two teachers, the late Bob Davies and a Miss Murphy, were legendary.

Bob ended up living to over 100.

This particular day still etched in my memory from all these years ago was when Tongala visited the school to meet Haslem St in a footy game.

I was a bit young to be playing in that game, but was a very keen spectator.

I couldn’t believe my eyes when the Tongala players entered the field with all the usual ‘‘let’s get ’em’’ huff, puff and grunt stuff.

One Tongala player in particular stood out — Tom Haigh.

Only because he towered over his teammates and the Haslem St players.

And he was built like the proverbial outback relief centre to complement his height.

He was indeed a daunting sight.

I never heard of Tom much after that game which I’m not sure now who won and how his career as a footballer had progressed after that day.

But I got some feedback he played most of senior career with district league clubs Congupna and Undera where he played in premiership sides.

He made his one season at Undera in 1968 special as it beat the more fancied Merrigum for the flag that year with former Kyabram hard man Des Sleeth as its coach.

Tom’s death has left only eight players from that premiership squad living today.

They are Barry, John and Brian Lyle, Fred Mandersloot, Ron James, John Ough, John Pell and George Vearing.

I got to see a lot more of Tom when he moved to live in Kyabram about 20 years after a lifetime working with the PMG department.

In our mainly supermarket catch-ups I always loved a chat with Tom as he always had some great stories to tell and which he usually told with a big smile.

Tom passed away unexpectedly on March 3 and it was a shock to many given his wide circle of friends and charismatic qualities.

Particularly all his golfing mates at Parkland Golf Club who he had endeared himself to over the years and where he gained a lot of respect.

And where his funeral is being held this Friday from 1pm.

Rest in peace Tom, I’ll miss those chats.

xxxxxxxx

Kyabram Football Club has named its leaders for the coming GVL season.

Zac Norris will resume as captain with Aidan Robinson his deputy.

Also in the leadership group are Brad Whitford, Jake Parkinson and Josh Dillon.

The reserves will have a new skipper with Jayden Fitzgerald taking over from Will Wild.

Riley Gallivan is vice-captain and Wild, Brenton Brazier, Noah Ryan and Oscar Shortis are in the leadership group.

xxxxxxx

Premierships can by hard to come by, but Echuca sportsmen Simon Maddox and Curtis Townrow may disagree.

When Echuca claimed the John McMahon Shield in Goulburn Murray Cricket’s top competition a fortnight ago it was the seventh successive premiership this pair has been involved in.

Four of those flags have been with Echuca Cricket Club and three with Echuca Football Club.

Maddox has captained three of the four cricket flag victories and has had coaching roles with the last three Echuca GVL football premierships.

And Maddox will be coaching Echuca again this season when the Murray Bombers will be attempting to equal Shepparton’s GVL record of four successive flags.