Ron Barassi returns to his childhood home in Guildford, now in ruins

THE old stone cottage where footy great Ron Barassi lived with his grandfather now lies in ruins, but his memories of the place still stand. He returned for the first time this week.

The Vingt Cinq Club, old sportsmen of various vintages and hues, mostly footballers _ are taking one of their number, R. D. Barassi, back to where he came from, the small town of Guildford .Barassi at the old family ruins at Guildford.Picture:Rob Leeson.

RON Barassi runs his hands along the rusty fence line at the family farm where he grew up. The old stone cottage where he lived with his grandfather now lies in ruins but his memories of the place still stand.

There were long hot summers here, chickens to chase and snakes at his back door.

But halfway along a dusty road in Guildford, near Castlemaine, Barassi recalls his most cherished memory of all.

The last time he saw his dad, they’d walked together along the tree line near Tarilta Creek.

He was five or six and his parents had walked arm-in-arm.

It was their last day together before his father returned to war.

Memories are a funny thing, the footy legend said.

There are those so hard to recollect, but others not hard to recall at all.

Barassi returned to his roots this week as part of an excursion with the Vingt Cinq Club — a group of former footy greats, umpires, cricketers and Olympians.

The vintage Victorians meet on a semi-regular basis to rib each other over the form guide, share a story and a beer or two.

The Vingt Cinq Club, old sportsmen of various vintages and hues at the Guildford pub. Picture:Rob Leeson.

This week it was a chance for members to find out where their guest of honour had come from; the early experiences that shaped Ron Barassi long before he pulled on the boots.

Locals were also there to share their memories of the tenacious 10-year-old.

Like the time he tore down Kemps Bridge Rd on his one-handlebar bicycle (he’d had a few crashes), hit the brakes too hard and propelled himself through the butcher’s shop window.

“I walked away without a scratch,” Barassi said. “I brushed myself off and headed to school.’’

Historian and family friend Sandra Major said Barassi was always well-liked but never far from mischief.

“He once even sat up a tree and pelted the teacher with pine cones,” she said. “He got the cane for that.’’

But on the day peace was declared in 1945, she said a tearful Barassi cried in the classroom as pupils were given the day off. It was all well and good that the war was over, he would declare to his classmates, but it wouldn’t bring his father back.

Ronald James Barassi had made his mark in local footy and as a VFL player for Melbourne before he was drafted and served as part of Australia’s campaign in North Africa.

His death in Tobruk in 1941 was felt widely across the community but for nobody more than his son.

BARASSI SNR UP FOR DOCKLANDS PARK NAMING HONOUR

Barassi in the ruins of the old family farm. Picture:Rob Leeson.

“I still get emotional thinking about it ...’’ Barassi said. “What I seem to remember most is my father, when he had returned on leave.

“He was there with my mother and we had walked up to the local creek.

“I didn’t realise, of course, how important it would all be or how it would stay with me.’’

Barassi would spend the last of his days in Guildford living with his grandfather and aunt before being lured to Melbourne. But the contribution from the Barassi clan, originally Swiss-Italian immigrants, would never be forgotten in Guildford.

Locals have backed a plan for a permanent tribute to Barassi outside the Guildford town hall on the Midland Hwy.

It’s hoped the bust, partly funded by the Vingt Cinq boys, would be a fitting mark for one of footy’s greatest contributors.

“It’s something special we can do for Ron but it’s just as important for the people of Guildford,” former Fitzroy president Leon Wiegard said.

“A great way to say thanks.’’