Monbulk FNC had the privilege of inducting Jo Rutherford and Jamie Sands as Life Members and Shane Williams into the Hall of Fame on Saturday.

Life Member Inductee – Jo Rutherford 

Jo’s time at the Monbulk Football Club goes back around 40 years. Having been involved through so many different aspects and era’s it’s hard to just touch on one area. 

From the early days of husband Dasha playing, through to her brothers in particularly Chris & Michael and the golden years of the club and in more recent years with sons Todd and Bailey playing and now even today still involved week to week as the training for the senior football side. 

And if you thought that wasn’t enough, in between Jo has been a huge part of the netball club and coaching ranks having played: 

88 games between 2007-2013 
Coached A Grade 3 years 2010, 2011, 2012 
Coached B Grade 2007, 2011, 2012 
Coached C Grade 2010, 2012 

Jo also Coached Girls Junior football teams in 2017, 2018 and 2019 playing a pivotal role in the female attendance we have at the club today in both junior and senior levels. 

And as mentioned, Jo has been the club trainer for the past 5 years .

He continued support and loyalty to the club is selfless and something that she truly loves. It is the hours spent by people like Jo that make Monbulk such a special place to be involved with. 

On behalf of everyone, thank you Jo and congratulations on your Life Membership.

Life Member Inductee- Jamie Sands 

Formally joining the club in 2005 as one of the twelve inaugural netball players, Jamie’s connection to the club runs all the way back to her early childhood from her father Dave’s playing days. 

In 2006 Jamie played a vital role as one of our key goalers (scoring 307 through the year) to help lead the netballers to their first A Grade premiership. 

For many more years Jamie continued to be a pivotal player for the club and in 2011 won the A Grade Best & Fairest. Jamie scored an amazing 345 goals in the year 

Jamie is not only the club’s all time leading goal shooter, amassing a total of nearly 3,500 and counting, but also games leader and in a few weeks’ time will be the first ever netballer in Monbulk’s history to reach the 250 game milestone. 

Jamie has also spent several years on the committee as social representative and assisted with coaching netball. 

Jamie is still hugely committed to the club, even playing this morning before coming in here. Now also joining the junior club where son Ollie has commenced playing, I’m sure we will continue to see Jamie around for many more years. 

Jamie joins both her parents Dave & Heather Sands and husband Billie as life members. 

A huge congratulations to you Jamie on your very well-deserved induction!

Hall of Fame Inductee – Shane Williams 

Shane started his junior football career with Emerald where he won 2 League Best & Fairests before joining the Gembrook seniors, where he was one of the main reasons that Gembrook-Cockatoo made three successive grand finals from 2010-2012. 

Shane then moved to live in Monbulk and joined the local club in 2014 where he was an outstanding centreman in the six year period while playing for the Hawks. Shane’s family also played a huge role in his football, with parents Al & Erica attending basically every game, always back at the rooms afterwards and supported by also doing a couple of meals nights for the boys on a Thursday. They are both here today along with wife Brit. 

He was skilful, courageous and had a great ability at reading the play. Shane captained the club for one season in 2016 and won an unprecedented four consecutive Senior Best & Fairest awards between 2015-2018 while also finishing high in the League B&F – including 2nd in 2018 and 3rd in 2015 along with being a regular selection in the League team of the year.  

Shane was also very dangerous around goals, leading the club goalkicking on three occasions in 2016, 2018 & 2019. Being restricted by injuries in 2019, he played a more permanent forward role, which included a 10 goal haul against Pakenham. 

Shane finished his career due to injury in 2019, playing 106 games and kicking 189 goals. He joins Vin Dunstan, Shannon Koole and Tim Wragg as the only 4 time best & fairest winners in the club’s history, all 3 of whom are current Hall of Fame members, it goes without saying that Shane well and truly deserves his spot alongside them.