BIO

James Grant (Jim) Halliday was born on 19th Dec 1873.  His parents were Jemima Grant who arrived in South Australia as a six year old in 1839 and Francis Halliday.  In his childhood years Jim successfully competed at Highland dancing including at the Highland Games held at Adelaide Oval. 

Francis Halliday was a drover and in about 1886 he and Jemima were employed by John Howard Angas at Tarrawatta near Angaston.  Jim was sent to Whinham College, North Adelaide as a boarder by J H Angas who was a patron of the school.  He left school at 15 to become a saddler for Colton, Palmer & Preston and continued to work for them until retirement.

Jim was a good runner and competed in hurdles races between 1890 and 1896, running off a handicap of 14 yards at the Commemoration Day Sports event of December 1896.

His football career started at College Park and he was recruited to North Adelaide in 1884.  He switched to Norwood after the introduction of district football in 1899, playing as rover and wingman until he retired at the end of the 1901 season due to a knee injury.  He always walked with a limp from then on.

He was timekeeper for Norwood from 1905 and was also a committeeman and selector.  He became a life member of the club in 1928.  He retired from timekeeping in 1950 and was presented with a chiming clock at the AGM.  He was also involved with the East Torrens Football Association. 

Jim and his wife Laura and their many children lived at Phillis St, Maylands for many years and he died on 10th Oct 1956.

Profile written by James Halliday's great grand daughter Carolyn Cowgill April 2018