Goals and glory: Deakin University Library’s soccer collection
Do you know how many forms of football are played in Australia? The answer is at least eight:
- Australian Rules
- Rugby League
- Rugby Union
- Association Football (soccer)
- American football (Gridiron)
- Gaelic or Irish football
- Futsal (if you count indoor soccer as a separate game)
- Marngrook (an Indigenous Australian football game)
A new exhibition in the Alfred Deakin Prime Ministerial Library at Deakin’s Waterfront campus tells the story of the World Game, Association Football.
Figure 1: Frank Farina and Oscar Crino for Marconi and Footscray JUST in the National Soccer League. Photo: Les Shorrock
The exhibition illustrates some of the wonderful resources available at the Deakin Library. It also draws on objects and memorabilia donated by local people.
Figure 2: Steve Horvat, Adrian Cervinski, Kris Trajanovski and David Cervinski. Four local heroes in opposition for Melbourne Knights and Sydney Olympic. Photo: Roy Hay
The exhibition tells the story through a series of panels, display cases and artefacts, plus sound and vision to bring the game alive. It shows how the game fits into the story of Australia and its people, from the early nineteenth century to the present day, when the Matildas are playing in the FIFA Women’s World Cup in France and the Socceroos are about to embark on qualifying for an unprecedented fifth World Cup in succession.
Figure 3: Melissa Barbieri (now Hudson) saves for Melbourne Victory against Newcastle Knights. Her Matildas colleague Laura Alleway is on the left of the picture. Photo: Roy Hay
You’ll also find information about local clubs and heroes from both Australia and overseas. You will learn about the game; the people who play it, support it and watch it; and where it fits into Australia’s story and yours.
Where
Alfred Deakin Prime Ministerial Library, in the atrium of the Sally Walker building at Deakin University’s Geelong Waterfront Campus. Enter from Cunningham Street (closest), Western Beach Road or Gheringhap Street.
There is no charge for admission.
When
Open from 6 June to 29 July 2019, weekdays from 10am to 4pm.
Need more information?
If you’d like to know more about the exhibition, contact Kristen Thornton, Curator and Librarian on 03 5247 9332 (Waterfront Campus Library Service Desk) or at [email protected].
Roy Hay, Honorary Fellow, Deakin University