BIO

Richard Henry (Dick) Westley was born at Strathalbyn on 11th February 1898 and commenced playing football in 1916. The Hills Football Association competition resumed in 1919, following the cessation of World War 1, and he played 75 games for the Strathalbyn Football club until the completion of the 1923 season.

He was a member of the Strathalbyn Football Club’s premierships in 1919 and 1920 and was elected as captain in 1923.

Dick became the Strathalbyn Football Club’s first association medallist when he was awarded the Howard Medal for the Hills Football Association’s “fairest and most gentlemanly player” in 1923.

In 2005, Dick was selected as centre half forward in the Strathalbyn Football Club Team of the Century.

Dick was recruited to Norwood Football Club where he played 29 games from 1924 to 1926.

Later his oldest son, Gordon Westley, also played at Strathalbyn and then for Glenelg in 1940 and 1941. His second son Donald Westley, was a very promising player for the North Adelaide colts teams but lost his life to polio before his potential could be realised, while youngest son Malcolm Westley played 73 games for North Adelaide from 1955 to 1960. Gordon’s son Robert Westley, also played 53 games for Glenelg from 1961 to 1964.

Dick Westley passed away on 13th September 1963, aged just 65.

Ken Haines February 2022