South Hedland Swans remember history with memorabilia at club rooms

Premierships, medals and old South Hedland Swans team photos have been dusted up and put on display in a new memorabilia home at Kevin Scott Oval. Most of the memorabilia had been in storage until two months ago when club president Trevor Dhu decided to make room for it. The Swans president said the memorabilia was nostalgic for some of the old players and educated current footballers. “They see all the stuff hanging up, the flags, the photos in the 90s and 80s and it reminds them and shows that history isn’t lost to us,” he said. “Some of the boys say ‘my dad played in this year’ or ‘my uncle played this year.’ “It shows the boys here but also shows the community that we still hold our history close to our heart.” Dhu said some pieces of memorabilia were especially meaningful to him. “My first premiership in 2015 stands out for me, we hadn’t won a flag for 15 years,” he said. “That was a really good year for us and I think that premiership was the biggest stepping stone in moving the club forward for the future.” Robert Bennett played 49 games for South Hedland in the 70’s. Together with his wife they produced the club magazine at the time, many photos from which have been shared online. Bennett said it was important to remember the club’s history and the influential figures from previous eras. “These guys laid the foundations for what became a fantastic, family orientated, all inclusive club,” he said. “That legacy seems to to persist today.” After the final home and away game of the season on August 21, the Swans will be hosting Back to Swan’ day. Ex-players and club members will come together in celebration of the Hedland side’s history and announce new inductees into the club hall of fame.