JUST listen to the Wisanger Panthers belt out their club victory song on a Saturday afternoon and you will hear the pride, passion and enduring spirit that has carried the small Kangaroo Island footy club for more than a century.
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"We're a mighty bunch of fellas and everyone's a star," they sing.
"You'll find us at the footy, you'll find us at the bar. So come along and join us and find that we're alright, then you'll be a member of the mighty blue and white."
And with a similar spirit, a merry band of volunteers headed by Ian and Wendy Turner have managed to document the club's history in a very readable book - a project two years in the making.
Ian and Wendy were approached by centenary celebration committee chairman Rob Ellson compile a book commemorating the club's 100-year anniversary - something they could not say 'no' to.
Ian's roots run deep at the club.
His great-grandfather was the first chairman of the club's founding committee in 1911, and Ian was involved in the club until he left the island 17 years ago to live on the mainland.
His father John was secretary of the Kangaroo Island Football League for 36 years - and along with his assistant and successor Brian Tiggemann, was meticulous in his record keeping.
With the help of Brian and his wife Faye, Stuart and Lenore Boxer, Rob Ellson, and Maggie Patterson, the Turners were able to obtain the records and club minutes from meetings up to 1969, and its archives. But compiling the book proved to be one of the biggest challenges.
"We were all volunteers and everyone was busy, so finding the spare time needed was difficult, plus we couldn't go any faster than the information flow," Ian said.
"We were helped by Rob Ellson compiling the last two decades as we were off the island for most of that time."
And Wendy recalls that "you don't actually realise how much time you put into it until you stop".
It has been a mammoth undertaking for Ian and Wendy, absorbing countless hours - except during last spring, which happens to be Ian's busiest period in his official vocation as a livestock consultant. Since January they have both been flat-out working to finish the book, even going so far as writing copy and proof-reading while visiting their grandchild earlier this year.
But the result is something to well-and-truly behold.
The 344 pages trace the history of the club from before its first official game in July, 1911, when it went down by 15 points to arch-rival Kingscote, right up to the 2011 season.
It was in 2011 that Wisanger shaped-up against Kingscote in an official A-grade centenary match, and despite having a challenging season, managed to win by 12 points.
The centenary weekend is a feature of the book, with 30 pages of colour photographs taken over the weekend - mainly by Margaret Patterson - giving an insight into the club's 100-year celebrations.
Officially now in its 102nd year, Ian estimates that more than 1150 players have pulled on the boots for the Panthers.
While it is the core group of local families that have been the club's backbone over the 100-plus years, Ian says the "floaters" - people who come and go from the area such as stock agents and teachers - have played a big part in Wisanger's football history.
For example, Wisanger's best-known export is Port Power premiership player Brendon Lade.
'Ladey' played most of his junior football in the blue-and-white jumper before having a crack at the SANFL with South Adelaide, where he was drafted by the Power.
"If you're a top player in the Adelaide Hills or one of the other leagues surrounding Adelaide, you're more likely to get noticed by one of the SANFL clubs," Ian said.
"While the water barrier makes KI what it is, it can also inhibit opportunities for young footballers because of the travel costs."
Although not having the same star-power as Brendon Lade, there have been many club legends over the years, in players such as Brendon's father Donald Lade, Brian Peckover, Warren Boxer, Max Hurst and Trevor Bland - to name but a few. They get their own special section in the centenary book.
One man stands out simply through accumulated games. Local David Neave's senior games tally stood at 526 at the end of the 2011 season, and he continues to pull on the boots every week and have a crack. This year is his 38th consecutive season.
Ian says it is little wonder that there are players such as David who have this kind of dedication - footy is incredibly popular on the island.
"There are still five viable clubs on KI fielding three teams each week," he said.
"It's a matter of survive or perish, and the KI Football League has done a remarkable job to keep numbers up, where many other mainland clubs have amalgamated with other towns to survive.
"Islanders are proud of their heritage, and they're also proud of the club they support.
"Saturday sport - and particularly the football - is a huge part of the social fabric, where a lot come together. It's what people do on a Saturday."
Their passion led to inter-league success in 1970 when the KI side won Division 2 of the first Caltex Football Championships, with 10 Wisanger players in that team.
*Full report in Stock Journal, July 11 issue, 2013.
