BIO

Gordon Schulz returned from army service on the Kokoda Track and was selected for the first six games of the 1945 season before finishing his football career with Payneham.

Born George Frederick Schulz at Fullarton on 22 May 1919, he preferred to be called Gordon.  He made the Norwood senior training list in 1941, when he kicked nine goals in 11 games for the reserves.  Gordon enlisted in the Australian Army on 28 June 1943 and served in New Guinea.  He was discharged as a private on 26 January 1945.

Gordon was 19th man in his league debut in 1945 and played on a half-back flank in the next two matches, with Norwood losing by four goals to Port Adelaide at Kensington and defeating West  Adelaide 8.16 to 7.15 at Adelaide.  His good form saw him promoted to a follower in the first ruck, with captain-coach Jack Oatey roving.  Although Gordon kicked a goal, Norwood at home went down to Glenelg, 12.13 to 10.16. He was 19th man again in the next match but got a run in the last quarter as Norwood squeezed out a three-point win over Sturt at Kensington, 14.13 to 13.16.  He bowed out as 19th man as Norwood beat North Adelaide by seven points at Prospect.

Gordon was highly respected as Ansett Airlines’ SA and NT sales manager for 38 years.   He was 86 when he died on 19 August 2005 and was survived by his wife of 53 years and two children

P Robins July 2019

* For the picture we thank John Schulze, convenor of Spirits of Ansett reunions