BIO

Kenneth Peter Rumbelow was born at Victor Harbor on 13 April 1937 to parents Kenneth Stanley Rumbelow and Reta Hentschke. He grew up in Victor Harbor and surprisingly did not make the high school football team as, in his own words, “I was tall, slow and clumsy”.

Employed by the Savings Bank of South Australia, he was transferred to Adelaide in 1953 and played for Gartrell Memorial in the United Church Association.

In 1955 the tall ruckman joined Norwood and played for the senior colts under coach Doug Drage , but returned to Gartrell in 1956.

In 1959 he was approached by Norwood after ruckman Bill Wedding was injured in the first game of the season. Following just one Thursday training session, Peter gained selection for the next game against Port Adelaide at the Kensington Oval with Norwood losing to the previous year’s premiers, 22.14 to 7.11.

Under new coach Alan Killigrew, and after losing a number of experienced players, Norwood recruited heavily in 1959 and 21 new players were tried over the season. Peter played 10 league and nine seconds games and won a junior services award. 

In 1960 he played a further two league games and five seconds games including the victorious grand final. Accountancy studies were given priority in 1961 when he had a year away from the game .

Peter returned to the club in 1962, playing 20 games as captain of the seconds, with the team finishing second on the premiership table. 

In 1963 he was appointed playing coach of Athelstone in the East Torrens Football Association, guiding them over three years to two premierships and a runners-up.

He continued playing with Athelstone for another three years under playing coach, and former Norwood player, Brian Sawley.

He remained at Athelstone for a number of years as secretary/treasurer and was made a life member of the club.

Peter married Genevieve Wallace Hickling on 20th February 1960. They had two daughters.

W Heading January 2025

See Also: https://www.rumbelow.net/tragedyandvalor/peter1937