The year that defined a generation

By Owen Sinclair

Jun 9, 2025

Members of Cobram’s 1995 premiership football sides, including former coach of the senior football team Trevor Mills (front, sixth from right) and former captain Peter Beasley (back, far left). Photo by Owen Sinclair

Almost 30 years ago, Cobram Netball Club president Jenny Parish watched on as premiership after premiership went her club’s way.

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By the end of that fateful September day, every Cobram team in a grand final — including six netball sides and three football sides — had claimed its respective flag.

“It’s at least something that may never happen again,” Parish said.

“It was euphoric — the feeling in the room.”

The 1995 Cobram senior side celebrating its premiership win over Deniliquin. Photo by Contributed

On Friday and Saturday last week, the club celebrated the 30-year anniversary since that year, with past players and coaches reuniting as Cobram hosted Barooga in round nine of the Murray FNL.

The Cobram A-grade netball side after its two-goal win over Deniliquin. Back, Rachael Hanrahan, Sharra Jones, Fran Ratcliffe, Mia West and Diana Bourke. Front, Robyn Bunn, Chrissie Brewer and Janet Gill-Kirkman. Photo by Contributed

“The celebrations went on for days and days, and then they moved to our house on Station St, and went on again,” Parish said.

“No-one wanted to let go of that feeling. It was just so incredible to think we’d achieved that that you wanted to hang on to that as long as you could.”

The reserves football side prevailed in a closely fought contest with Deniliquin. Photo by Contributed

Cobram's B-Grade netballers continued their dominant run with a win over rivals Barooga. Back, Paula Denson, Fran Ratcliffe (coach), Jacqie Ryan, Emma Meehan, Jo Bourke, Carolyn Murphy, Daria West and Louise Carmichael. Front, Marlo Zito, Vicki Carmichael and Helen Florence. Photo by Contributed

Cobram Social C side took out the flag after defeating Finley. Back, Fiona Cossar, Andrea Meehan, Nicole Congram, Naomi O'Connor, Marg Healy and Paula Hanson. Front, Jenny Hogan, Lyn Morey and Genetta Galati. Photo by Contributed

Halfway to a clean sweep, the under-18s took the flag. Back, Peta Gundrill, Keiran Raco, Kelly McIntyre, Lauren Philipson and Marnie Campbell. Front, Kristen Morey, Alethe West, Jessica Rampling and coach Vicki Carmichael. Photo by Contributed

It was a remarkable achievement that defined a generation of athletes from the club’s ranks, many of whom still dedicate their time and effort to the club’s running today.

The only side that missed out on a flag that year was Cobram’s thirds football side, which didn’t come close to premiership contention.

“I think we were just a really good club; we were very family-oriented, and it was families that came in,” Parish said.

“It was a day out. It wasn’t just ‘drop your kid off to play netball’; the whole family came for the day, and that makes a big difference, I think, as to how clubs can run and be successful.

“And that’s why I think we were so successful: we were a family-oriented club, and a social club too.”

The under-16s netballers enjoyed a one-goal win over Tocumwal. Back, Nicole Bunn, Jacinta Kerr, Mandy Gundrill, Tamara Morey, Peta Brentnall, Tanya Healy and coach Rachael Hanrahan. Front, Chantel Neal, Jaqui Bunn and Lee Brentnall. Photo by Contributed

Past club president and current committee member Peter Beasley captained the senior football sides that claimed both the 1995 and 1998 flags.

“We had a bit of a hiccup about two weeks prior when Deni beat us,” Beasley told The Courier.

“We hadn’t lost a game for a year, then Deni beat us in the first final we played.

“So that pulled our pants down, and they played quite well, and it was probably just a nice wake-up call that if we weren’t on the job, we could get beaten.”

Front page of the Cobram Courier on Wednesday, September 13, 1995. Pictured is seniors captain Peter Beasley with coach Trevor Mills, holding the 1995 MFL Premiership Coxon Cup aloft. Photo by Contributed

“As the day went on, we continued to rack up wins, and by the time the A-grade and the senior football were on, we’d won everything.

“So to finish that off with everyone winning, it became a real celebration of the club.

“A lot of us were locals — I think 95 per cent of us were local kids who had played junior football at Cobram.

“We had a couple of expats from Strathmerton and Waaia, and we had one guy, Chris Farrell, from Melbourne, but he was mates with a few of the local blokes.

“So it was quite a big local group that actually played in the first and the seconds. So that made it that bit sweeter, I think.”