
The Pioneers And The Football Club
The descendants of the early pioneers of Vermont have had a big influence on the Club from its inception until the present day.
In 1862, David Boyle selected 58 acres on Scotchmans Hill. Building his house on the corner of what is now Canterbury and Mount Pleasant Roads.
Lou Boyle, a foundation member of the Club, a player in the 1920 team and our first Life Member, his cousins the three Boyle brothers Jim, Fred and Len, were members of the Committee and players in the late 1920’s early 1930’s their younger brother Andrew who played in the lat 1940’s winning the Eastern Suburban Best and Fairest in 1949. Andrew’s son Ray played in the 1970’s. Their cousin Norm Boyle played from 1935 till 1939. Another cousin, Lou Cornell, a Committee member and player over many years were some of David Boyle’s descendants.
John McClare was born in Ireland in 1828 and married 18 year old Mary Madden in Galway, they emigrated to Australia, arriving in 1855. Rather than ride on a bullock dray Mary McClare walked from Port Melbourne to Air Hill (now Mitcham).
In 1856 they purchased fifty acres of land in Delaneys Road, (now Canterbury Road). John McClare died in 1926 at the age of ninety eight. Their descendants have had a big input into the Club over its 70 odd years.
Pat, Jack, Bill and Frank, were all players and members of the Committee in the 1920 – 1940 era.
Cousin Len played in the 1930’s and his two sons Norm and Barry playing in the 1960’s – 1970’s.
The former Secretary, Maureen Scott, daughter of Jack McClare were some of their family associated with the Club.
One of his descendants Aubrey Rooks, played football for Vermont up until 1929 when he left the district seeking work. On returning after the depression he became a committee member, serving until the early 1950’s. Aubrey often told how his grandfather donated a bush block on the corner of Canterbury and Terrara Roads to the people of Vermont for a cricket and recreation ground.
The land was all cleared by hand, the trees were grubbed out, cut up with axe and crosscut saw, the land ploughed and levelled using horse drawn ploughs, scoops, harrows and rollers.
Abraham Rooks arrived from Cambridgeshire, England in 1862 and settled on Damper Creek, selected 79 acres and after 10 years residence, acquired full title to it for 80 Pounds ($160).
Marrying Emily Kennard, they built their home on the North East corner of Rooks and Canterbury Roads.


Vermont’s first VFL player came from this team when F. Peterson layed 5 games with Collingwood in 1921. Interestingly, the W. Shambrook mentioned is directly related to 1980’s star half back flanker, Rod Shambrook .
It was a very successful entry into competition football, only missing out on the finals due to a defeat in the last home and away game by Mitcham. Canterbury were premiers. 1921 however proved to be even a more memorable year for a number of first time events –
- Vermont played in its new jumpers, the present day colours of purple and gold. According to the late Jack Corr, who purchased the first set of jumpers, purple and gold were the “Royal” colours and very popular at the time.
- On the 7th May, the Club occupied the almost completed new dressing rooms (located behind Terrara Road goals_ it was a grand day especially as the home side went on to soundly defeat Box Hill.
- That day also saw the appearance of Vermont’s very fist Junior side. Unfortunately, the enthusiasm did not match their skill and after eight big losses they withdrew from the competition.
