The South Australian National Football League (SANFL) History Centre is a hive of activity with around a dozen talented people, working in-person and remotely to preserve nearly 150 years of local football memories.

Almost all the people who work regularly at the Centre, or online, are over 70.

The History Centre volunteers bring a significant range of talents including computer literacy, common-sense, wide experience, life-skills, and the ability to work productively together, using creativity, and problem-solving abilities. And that’s just the start!

In 2022, the 145 Years of the SANFL Exhibition, supported by Office for Ageing Well and Seniors Card, was held at the State Library.

It was the direct result of countless hours of voluntary preservation work but also, once in-situ at the library, was supported by 737 volunteer hours of expert guiding and commentary.

“The efforts of our volunteers certainly enhanced visitors’ experiences,” said Chris Halbert, SANFL History Centre Manager.

“As well as people from South Australia, the exhibition attracted many visitors from other parts of Australia and overseas. Wonderful stories and much memorabilia was gathered as a result.”

With the next SANFL history exhibition planned for 2027, volunteers are continuing their work to process significant memorabilia items that regularly arrive at the History Centre.

As they research, catalogue, conserve, photograph, and file, they relive the epic endeavours of SANFL players past, and give future generations the opportunity to do the same.

Click here for more information about the SANFL History Centre.

Caption: L-R: SANFL History Centre volunteers Peter Roberts, Lee Sando and Barb Page working through some memorabilia.