PROFILE
Karen taught the Ella brothers ‘all they know’ Karen Ella-Bird was able to show local netballers a plaque dedicated to her brothers for their Karen Ella-Bird with a plaque (INSET) recognising the contribution to sport by the Ella brothers. contribution to sport. THE claim of a Gove other. It was not unusual days she and her brothers Commonwealth Games in He is now a director woman that she taught the for them (the boys) to be and sisters were growing Manchester. on NITV and works with Ella brothers everything dragged off with us to up was very much like life A senior Youth worker young people offering they know about football netball and, as they got up here in the communities with Anglicare in Gove, them inspiration. might seem a little ex- older, we would have to now. Karen said she would Karen has been worktake them to their football treme. “We all shared the one ing with kids at risk. She like to see her brothers Until that is - you re- games. house with grandparents and husband Kevin Bird and sister visit Gove but “Sports was big among and aunties.” alise that she is the older had retired in 2009 and the logistics of working sister to the legendary all the children and netball She recalls some of the were grey nomads trav- out agreeable times was a football players - Mark, and league were played antics her brothers got up elling around Australia. challenge. by us all. Glen and Gary. to when they were playing. As seems to be the case “I’m sure they would One of 12 children of “It was not until the When they were at with many Gove-ites the jump at the chance to all May and Gordon Ella, boys went to Matraville Randwick one of them draw of the lifestyle here come up here for a visit. “The family have alABOVE: The Ella Brothers at Matraville High (from left) Karen Ella-Bird said she High School that they got would go down on the field was too great. was always taking them to a taste of rugby union and during the match feigning After Mark retired from ways remembered where Glen, Gary and Mark who were selected to represent their football games when they also played cricket an injury so they could get Union in Australia he went they come from LaPerouse Sydney in an under-16 union competition. Photo: and golf as well. they were kids. the results of the latest race to Italy for a couple of and the Gadigal people. Kevin Berry “Our parents were strict “With 12 of us we all results at the racecourse to years where he played with “We are the ones that let BELOW: The Ella family when the brothers went on the had to look after each and insisted we all got an see if they had won. Captain Cook in.” Milan AC. Schoolboys’ tour education and, as well “Mark was asked by as going to school, made a journalist once how so sure we were involved in many lived in one house sports. Laying around the he told them they slept in house doing nothing just shifts and was believed,” wasn’t tolerated.” she said. She said her mum had Competitiveness was been a big cricket player not restricted to their sport. in her day. “We were always see“Dad was always our ing who caught the biggest best supporter although fish or who was the best with 12 kids didn’t get cook - Jacqueline won much time to play sport that title.” himself. Mark Ella was the first “Talking sport was Indigenous Australian to Very young Ella brothers with sister Marcia and banned at home. I think captain a Wallaby side. the French Consulate on Bastille Day at the French if it hadn’t been we would Sister Marcia was the Monument at La Perouse. only have talked sport.” first Indigenous netball The whole school used to march every year for a Mrs Ella-Bird said life player to represent Aus- memorial service and their school song was the in LaPerouse back in the tralia and competed in the French National Anthem.
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Arafura Times
26 Sep - 2 Oct 2012 – 7