The Avoca Football Netball Club is saddened to hear of the passing of our Life Member, Noel Jess.
Noel played a significant role in our club over many years, and just last year at our 150th Reunion, Noel was in attendance as the only surviving member of the 1953 Premiership Team.
The Avoca Football Netball Club is extremely grateful to Noel and Ev Jess for their contribution to our club, and also to their offspring, who have all played a significant role in our successful eras, both on the Football oval & Netball court.
Our sincerest condolences to the Jess family.
(Noel is pictured signing the 1953 premiership football at our 150th Celebrations in 2023. And is also pictured with son, Jim, and Bert Cullen’s son, Colin. )
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The Funeral will be a Requiem Mass at St Kevins Catholic Church at 2pm on Friday 8th March.
Following the service, the cortege will then leave for the cemetery, and afterwards to the Avoca FNC Social Rooms.
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Below is an extract from our club history book.
In 1944, Noel Jess, played in Avoca`s junior side, and made his debut with the senior`s in 1948.
Sadly, the club records are sparse until 1951, but it became obvious that Noel had developed into one of the team`s best young footballers, and was also awarded the 1951 Best Clubman award.
On 5th June 1951, Noel booted 6 goals against Moonambel, but played at full back in the First Semi Final against Lexton.
According to the local paper he was an all-round sportsman and proved it by winning the final of the quoits competition held at the fire brigade hall!
Noel was gaining a reputation as the best centre half back in the league and played in that position in Avoca`s historic 1953 Premiership side.
He polled 12 umpires votes in the Lexton League Best & Fairest award, just two votes behind the great centre man, Bert Cullen, and was runner up in the club best player award.
Because of his employment, Noel was transferred to Boort in 1954, where he won the Club Best & Fairest award twice and played in a Premiership team.
He then transferred to Donald and won their club Best & Fairest award and played in another Premiership side.
Noel returned to Avoca in 1966 as Postmaster and ended his football playing with Avoca.
He then became a committee man and coached the Under 15`s team in 1968 and 1969.
Noel was awarded Life membership of the Avoca FNC in 1997.
