BIO

Tom Woodroofe was born on 26 May 1911 and had Irish blood in his veins. He also had his roots firmly in Norwood as the grandson of William Woodroofe who came to Australia from Wexford, Ireland, and established the Woodroofe “cordial manufactory” in 1878.

Tom made his debut in League football in the first semi-final against Port Adelaide in 1930. In a distinguished career, he won Norwood’s Best & Fairest in 1935 and captained the side from 1936 to 1939, playing as a utility player and at full-back, and represented the State on 8 occasions. And he could kick, winning the dropkick section of a kicking competition held at half time of a match in Port Pirie with a distance of 69 yards 8 inches.
He retired after injury in 1939 after playing 141 matches and kicking 44 goals for Norwood.

He was also a fine cricketer, captaining the Woodroofe’s A grade side in the South Australian Electric Light Cricket Association competition. The Advertiser in March 1938 notes that Tom “is an exceptional hard-hitter. He also fields and bowls well”.

Tom served in the AIF in the Pacific during the Second World War.

He died on 13 January 1977 and is buried with his wife Vera at the Enfield Cemetery.


R Crompton Feb 2013