R.F. Julier Reserve
When the Housing Commission of Victoria built a new estate at Fishermans Bend, open space was a critical part of the health oriented design. Although the roads were named, the open space reserves were not named at the time.
In the seventies, or thereabouts, the Reserve was named for Ray Julier. Here is Ray with his wife Lil (formerly Keyhoe) at the newly named R F Julier Reserve with Gellibrand Road in the background.
Ray Julier had a long and distinguished career with the Port Melbourne Football Club. He made his debut with the senior team in 1932 and went on to play 166 games in a war interrupted career that ended in 1945. Small of stature, he played most of his football on the wing. He experienced the highs and lows of the Club as it progressed from an also ran in the early and mid thirties until it became a force again in the late thirties. He was a member of two premiership teams, in 1940 and 1941. He later spent many years as a trainer with the Richmond Football Club.
Julier was elected to the Port Melbourne Council in 1962. He represented the Sandridge ward for almost 30 years. He served as Mayor in 1965/66 and again in 1968/69.
Ray Julier died on 4 September 2007 aged 96. The floral tribute at his funeral was half the red and blue of Port and half the Richmond colours.
The Julier family have continued a very strong association with football in Port. Ray’s son Peter visited the recently refurbished Julier Reserve.
This is just a start to prompt further details and memories. If you played on, or had an association with Julier Reserve, either before or after it was so named, we’d love to hear from you.
Thanks to Peter Julier and Terry Keenan for their assistance in preparing this article.
2 Comments
Noel Turnbull
I was lucky enough to serve on the Port Council with Ray. He was an extraordinarily impressive Councillor – across both the detail and the broad issues facing the Council. What always struck me was his deep knowledge and his capacity to understand accounts, administration and other issues. He was quiet and often didn’t say much but whatever he said was worth listening to. The younger Councillors that came on board were probably antsy and some of the other Councillors were suspicious of some of our priorities. But he was always open minded and looked at issues we raised with an open mind. I often think that the current Port Phillip Council desperately needs someone like Ray who could be both incisive and forensic with Council budgets and administration.
Pat Grainger
When I came back in 1982 from five years spent working in England, it was estate agent/Councillor Ray Julier who showed me around those Port Melbourne houses I could afford. Port is where I fancied being, having always worked in South Melbourne. He showed me a Dunstan Parade home that overlooked a large open area much like a village green, and proudly pointed out the signage, Ray Julier Reserve.