Neil Garland Celebrates 100 Years at President’s Lunch

Neil Garland born 26th July 1925 celebrated his 100th birthday at the West Perth Football Club Presidents lunch on 26th July 2025 with his son Andrew. Of sound mind and strong body, Neil responded to the applause for his words from Sean Cowan. He took the microphone and gave thanks to the WPFC, he explained his secret for long life was Football and Golf, which has kept him young. Neil has always been a favourite son of the WPFC, playing 78 games and kicking 80 goals over a 7-year career.

Neil went to Wesley College and joined the Royal Australian Navy. He served onboard the HMAS Rockhampton during the 2nd WW. He followed in his father Berts footsteps, who served in the 1st WW, with the light horse Medical Corps in Egypt and Sinai.

Neils football career started with having a few kicks with his Navy mates with the Perth Football Club at the WACA. As luck would have it, Neil lived in the West Perth zone, so he attended training at Leederville in 1946. He played his first senior game for WPFC in Round 13 on 19th July 1947. Being tall and agile Neil learnt the craft of rucking and held his place in a team that played in 5 consecutive Grand Finals, winning Premierships in 1949 and 1951. Neil also had played in 2 seconds Grand Finals, 1946, 1947 winning a premiership in 1947. Neil speaks highly of his great football mates in Pops Heal and Bill Kingsbury. Neil suffered a recurrent knee injury and missed 30 games over the 1951 and 1952 seasons. Neil played his last game for West Perth in the loosing Grand Final to South Fremantle in 1953. A career that any footballer can be proud of, playing in 13 finals and winning 7, even more amazing is his home away achievement of winning 51 games of his 65 home and away games.

His passion for the game and the local community is evident not only in his sporting achievements, but also in the warmth with which he welcomes old friends and new acquaintances alike. As stories were shared and laughter echoed through the room, it became clear that Neil’s legacy extends far beyond the football field—shaped by his dedication, kindness, and the enduring friendships he has fostered over the decades.

Neil married Molly in 1950 and now has six grand children and nine great grandchildren. Neil took on the Treasurer position with the WPFC in 1953. He joined the Commonwealth Department of Immigration and accepted a transfer to Europe in 1954. After service in Cologne, Munich, Vienna and Salzburg, Neil returned to Perth and began a very long career broadcasting football on Radio alongside Frank Sparrow.

Neil’s remarkable journey through both sporting and community life has left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him, from teammates and friends to devoted supporters and colleagues. Neil’s commitment to excellence, both on and off the field, is matched only by his unwavering humility and generosity of spirit. Through years of dedication to football and service in local initiatives, his legacy continues to inspire new generations, making his centenary celebration a testament not just to personal longevity, but to a lifetime spent uplifting those around him.

Neil said “1951 to my mind was our pinnacle, we won the premiership, Freddie Buttsworth won the Sandover Medal, Ray Scott won the goalkicking, Don ‘Mary’ Porter won the Simpson Medal, and a young player Keith London won the Prendergast Medal for the best reserves player,”.