Robert Kelm is one of the longest serving clubmen at Taylors Lake, carrying on a family tradition of chipping in and giving back to the community.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Kelm, alongside the likes of Brooksby, Fischer and Hall, are some of the key Taylors Lake names ingrained in the club's history.
Rob Kelm, 71, played the majority of his football at the club before becoming a volunteer.
"We've just always been involved in the club," Kelm said. "I just wanted to be a part of a team and to play sport.
"I was on the committee in my playing days and as time went by, eventually they asked me to be president.
"My Dad was president 1972-1974, brother Jeff was 1991-1993, and I went 1994-1999.
"We're just a part of the club. We're not more important than anyone else, we're just a part of it."
Kelm said he felt it was important to give back.
"Basically if you see something, you just go and do it," Kelm said.
"You look at sporting communities in the region and if you lose them, you're going to be losing a piece of identity."
Today, Kelm continues chipping in. Even while maintaining his farm, serving as Country Fire Authority's Grampians Group officer, and passionately supporting the sporting pursuits of his grandchildren.
"I'll go down and mow the ground on Friday. Saturday morning I'll go down at 7am, get the fire ready, open everything up, and then Sundays if I'm around, I'll pick up rubbish and try to clean up a bit," Kelm said.
"I just enjoy the sport and what it brings. The football and the netball.
"And then after the football game, no matter if we get a flogging or if we win or whatever, I'll go around and shake everyone's hand and say thanks for playing."
Richard Crabtree
richard.crabtree@austcommunitymedia.com.au
richard.crabtree@austcommunitymedia.com.au
