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By Catherine Ferraro
THOUSANDS gathered at Assumption College, Kilmore on Sunday to pay tribute to a living legend.
Coaching the ACK First XVIII for the last time, Ray Carroll was given a standing ovation as he walked a guard of honour of former ACK football and cricket captains spanning back to the late 1950s, prior to the annual match against Sacred Heart College Adelaide.
It was a fine testament to how this remarkable man is held in regard by present day and former students, their families and all who have come in contact with him over his 53 years of dedicated service to the college.
The current Firsts football side, performed valiantly on the day, but unfortunately were unable to bring home the win for their coach and mentor, going down to their quality interstate rivals.
Following the match, huge crowds gathered at the steps of the Harry M. Anderson Pavilion (with hundreds spilling half way across the Carroll Oval) to pay tribute to a former coach, sportsmaster, teacher and friend.
Head of the organising committee, Simon J. Costa - a former student at ACK and businessman - thanked all in attendance for making the day one that would go down in the annals of Assumption College history.
Mr Carroll later said he was “staggered” with the unexpected honours bestowed on him following the match.
These included an AFL Merit Award, a congratulatory message from the Premier of Victoria, Ted Baillieu, and an acknowledgment for service from Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, who forwarded a signed commemorative cup and saucer.
There was sustained applause when Damian Drum, MLC for the Northern Region, former Geelong footballer, ex-Fremantle coach and former ACK student, announced that the Baillieu Government, in conjunction with the Mitchell Shire Council, would be building a statue/bust of Mr Carroll to be placed in a prominent position at Carroll Oval.
Mayor Graeme Coppel, who was present for the memorable occasion, said the shire council and the government are joining together to provide a life like bust of Ray Carroll.
“We think people like this should be respected, honoured and remembered for their exceptional contributions, and this is a fitting way to do so,” the Mayor said.
It was a most appropriate end to an extraordinary career which has spanned four decades as coach of the First XVIII and First XI sides and also included roles as sportsmaster, dormitory supervisor and teacher of English, History, Religion, Sports and Science.
‘Ray Day’
At the Kilmore Racecourse ‘Ray Day’ celebrations in the evening, tributes continued to flow for the man who has touched so many.
In conjunction with Kilmore Racing’s ‘Ray Day’ eight-event twilight harness race meeting, fundraising efforts included memorabilia and prize auctions and a major raffle draw.
The major auction item, a $24,500 Hyundai i30 donated by Hyundai Australia through the assistance of Damien Meredith, a former ACK student , worth $24,500 was auctioned for $23,000.
Tony ‘Nino’ Ottobre, who was unable to attend the event as he is currently in Texas in the United States while his daughter undergoes surgery for cancer, urged Mr Costa to ‘buy the car, no matter what it costs and give it to Mr Carroll.”
Mr Ottobre, who never played Firsts football or cricket and left ACK in Year 10 was described by Costa as a man “who became successful in life due to what he believes was the time and attention Ray paid him.”
Great memories and funny stories were abundant as former AFL players and current media personalities Bill Brownless and Shane Crawford recalled their time at the college and called on many others to do so.
People came from all over Victoria, interstate and even overseas for the celebration.
When Mr Carroll addressed the crowd at the ‘Ray Day’ evening event, he described the earlier walk down the guard of honour and most of the afternoon’s match as ‘a bit of a blur.”
“As I shook hands with all the captains, I saw all their team mates over the years as well.
“Today is a staggering one for me. I owe all of you so much more than you owe me.
I have been so lucky and coached some magnificent teams, but also remember the kids who didn’t make the top level, the kids in the dormitories and the ones in the classrooms, “ Mr Carroll said.
“Today was fine game. This year we lost six good players through injury, but they fought as hard as any ACK sides of all time.
“It is not always about winning or losing but how you play the game,” Mr Carroll stated.
“Great memories from so many years will last a lifetime and I cannot thank Simon Costa and his team, including Bill Brownless, Shane Crawford, Hayley Comerford, Jesse Silver, Tim Powell and Laurie Serafini enough for the enormous amount of work done for this day.
Mr Carroll was joined by Peter ‘Crackers’ Keenan, who asked him who he considered to be the best footballer and cricketer to come out of ACK.
Ray noted Essendon legend, Neale Daniher and Hawthorn star, Shane Crawford as the best footballers and Simon O’Donnell and Tallan Wright as among the best cricketers to represent the Light and Dark Blue.
Mr Carroll was also quick to note that one William Brownless could have been perhaps the best student he ever taught at the college, if not for the fact that he had to constantly send him out of either English, History or Sport Science classes to roll the pitch or mark the oval!
“I hope that one day I might be able to return and help the college in a honourary way, that would be great,” Mr Carroll said.
Mr Carroll, never one to seek fame or adulation has definately left a lasting legacy at Assumption College, the likes that will never be repeated, but one that will live in the history of the college forever.