BIO

At the turn of the 20th Century football in South Australia was in a parlous state. Its popularity was declining due greatly to an increase in violent incidents. Other pastimes, especially horse racing were proving more popular and the continued dominance of three clubs over the rest was causing frustration.

The electorate system was brought in as an attempt to even up the competition whereby players could only play for the side in whose state electorate they lived. The press reported that no club suffered more than Norwood with the introduction of this system and the Redlegs went in search of new recruits.

As part of this a match was organised against Rose Park on 27 April 1901. Unfortunately the game could not go ahead as Rose Park had insufficient numbers but a vigorous training session took its place and Robert Llewellyn showed very good form and was seen as a valuable back player.

He had to be enticed to Norwood but only featured in six games. Twice he was named in the best players and after his fourth game against North Adelaide a report said he had the makings of very fine player.

His last two games saw Norwood endure heavy losses and a 10 goal loss to South Adelaide was viewed by some as the worst loss in the club’s history.

Llewellyn played no further games and was not part of the Norwood resurgence that resulted in a grand final win over Port Adelaide.

Born at Terowie on 5 December 1880 to John Llewellyn and his wife Annie, née Wells, Robert was a student teacher living in Charles Street, Norwood, in 1901.  He graduated as a teacher in Adelaide and served at Port Pirie School before moving to Western Australia in 1906.

While teaching at South Boulder, Kalgoorlie and South Kalgoorlie, he was a prominent lacrosse player and twice led the Goldfielders against coastal teams.  He was appointed headmaster at Beaconsfield in suburban Perth in 1913 and seven years later was promoted to Subiaco School, where he was an inspirational leader until his untimely demise at the age of 52.

Robert Llewellyn died at West Perth on 11 September 1933 and is buried at Karrakatta Cemetery.  He was survived by his wife Nellie (McCullough) and sister Ethel.

B. Ridge September 2022; P. Robins, M. Giles, D. Cox May 2025