Peter Kitschke '45

Written on the 23 May 2018 by Old Collegians Association

Peter Kitschke '45

SANFL Hall of Fame

Excerpt from 2006 Rostrevor Magazine

On 16th August , Peter Kitschke became the third Old Scholar to be inducted into the SANFL Hall of Fame, following in the footsteps of Peter Marker and Neil Kerley.
Peter was a Boarder at Rostrevor in 1944-45, having completed his primary education at Canowie Belt (near Jamestown). Originally, Peter was meant to be attending Sacred Heart College. However, with the advent of war, Peter's parents were concerned with SHC's coastal location, and chose Rostrevor College instead.

He was vice captain of the U/13A's football team in 1944, which went through the season undefeated. The team was coached by the legendary Br. Gurr, and included prominent footballers such as Johnny Vaughan (Capt.), Bill Broderick, Michael Kerley, Alan Dunn and Dennis Cox. Near the end of the school year, he was unfortunate enough to contract pneumonia, and subsequently spent a lengthy recovery period at a Kent Town hospital.

The following year, Peter trained with the 1st XVlll squad. Despite catching the eye of guest Norwood coach Jack Oatey, at a few training nights, Peter played the season for the U/14A's.
Peter recalls the famous SANFL coach attending training wearing army clothes. 

Under 13A Football From the 1944 Annual (left to right):
Back Row: J Hall D Manna. B Scheid. B Hynes. D Abfalter, M Rossetto, D Sayer, D Smith.
Middle Row: P Clarke, M Scheid, E Hayles, B Head, M Kerley, B Fitzgerald, J Stephens, L Potts. B Ward, T Dean.
Front Row: V Liddy, M Graham, W Broaderick, P Kitschke (Vice-Captain), J Vaughan (Captain), D Cox, A Dunn. B Johnson, P Martin.

On returning to Jamestown, Peter and his older brother John (father of former Sturt / St. Kilda footballer, Damian Kitschke) played club footy for Canowie Belt.

After two seasons, they moved to Jamestown. Between them, they won 12 Mail Medals (awarded to Best and Fairest in Association). The brothers each played a trial for North Adelaide, at different times, but the pressures of family business saw them stay in Jamestown. Whilst not playing sport, Peter fondly recalls his father's work ethic, his commitment to the farm and his veterinary practice, and the impact it had on the brothers' football.

A Sturt/ Carlton supporter, Peter's greatest football memories are the Premierships he was involved in. Not far behind, are his Country Carnival appearances, his selection in Association sides, and the resultant opportunities to play against West Perth, and East Fremantle. The best player he came against was Graham ("Polly") Farmer (W.P}, and he rates Bob Hammond (North Ad/Nwd) as the best player he saw in Country footy, followed by Vin Landers (W.T).

Peter was V/C of the Under 13As, modestly described by Br Gurr in the 1944 Annual as "the best and most successful Under 13 team in Rostrevor's 21-year history." The side kicked a whopping 1,445 points for the season with only 144 points scored against. (Averaging 22 goals per match!). Some of the outstanding score-lines were 39.27 v nil against Saints and 45.25 v nil against Scotch Bill Boderick kicked 78 goals in 11 games with a match high of 18 in the Saints game.

Under 14 Cricket XI From the 1945 Annual (left to right)
D Cox (captain), P Harby (Vice-Captain). M Kerley, E Hayles, V Liddy, A Ryan, P Kitschke, T Dean, D Murphy, M Rossetto, D Sayer, P Mrosck

Peter Kitschke's achievements are quite remarkable, as documented here, and it needs to be stated that Peter could have gone on to play League football but due to circumstances this was not to be.
The ROCA salutes a man of great community service and congratulates him on his SANFL acknowledgement of his lifetime achievements.

PETER KITSCHKE'S PLAYING RECORD:

- 510 games (221 consecutive games for Jamestown 1948 - 1974 (Credited with a total of 577 games including representative matches)
- Captain of Jamestown for 7 years
- Numerous representative matches for Northern Areas Assaciation Team
- Retired in 1974 - Aged 43

PREMIERSHIPS:

-  Member of Premiership Teams, Jamestown on 4 occasions 195 1959, 1961 and 1968.

ACHIEVEMENTS:

- Thirteen (13 time Best and Fairest for Jamestown)
- Seven-time Mail Medal Winner 1957, 1962, 1963, 1966, 1969, 1971, 1974
- Five-time Runner Up for the Mail Medal 1952, 1958, 1961, 19,64 1
- Twice placed third for the Mail Medal - 1960, 1970
- SANFL Affiliated Leagues Merit Award Recipient 2003

 

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