Valda Gerbing is known for her wild Carlton themed parties, and her 90th birthday bash was no different.
Not only did Valda’s family and friends have to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ on her special day, they also had to belt out Carlton’s iconic theme song, ‘We are the Navy Blues’.
“It was all Carlton, everybody knows I’m Carlton – we had Carlton serviettes, Carlton balloons, you name it we had it!” Valda said.
The 74-year member reached the milestone birthday on 5 December and laughed she was still recovering from the “hangover” two days later.
Valda’s reputation for hosting a fabulous Blues party stems back many years. Whenever the team made it to the last day in September she’d invite people over to celebrate – no matter what the outcome.
“Every year we had a grand final party, win or lose, and oh my goodness the house used to shake.”
“We’d have people arriving at one or two in the morning with their bottles, oh my god – Carlton owes me a lot,” she laughed.
Growing up in Carlton North and attending Princes Hill School, there was no chance Valda was going to support any other team but the Blues, even though her father barracked for a rival team.
“I was born into a family of Blues, but my father barracked for Fitzroy – he wasn’t going to join us – the rest of the family barracked for Carlton.”
Valda was 16-years-old when she bought her first membership in 1941, and having a seat at the footy took a bit of getting used to.
“In the beginning I didn’t think you sat down at the football – for many years I used to watch the whole game standing!
“I used to go with some girlfriends and our neighbours and we stood in front of the high scoreboard,” she said.
Valda can vividly remember the iconic bell outside the press box, the ‘Bloodbath’ of ’45, and the magic of dual premiership player Ken Hands.
So it’s no surprise in the 74 years Valda has been following Carlton, Hands was a player she loved to watch, not to mention many more that go “way back”.
“Oh yes I’ve had some favourite players…Ken Hands, Jim Francis, John Nicholls of course, Alex Jesaulenko and Bruce Doull – I had my photo taken with Bruce!” Valda exclaimed.
Considering Valda loves to beat archrival Essendon, the 1999 one-point preliminary final win against the Bombers will be a match she’ll never forget.
Valda at Ikon Park with fellow Carlton fans who became friends. (Photo: Supplied)
“I nearly died during that game – it was hard work bringing them home,” she joked.
After surviving that heart-stopping moment, Valda has continued to sit in the stands and support her team week in week out, with her family right by her side.
“I just love the company of all the people on match days,” she said.
“My family and I talk about the game. Often we all think different things about who’s playing well and who’s not, and which umpires are no good – all the jargon that goes with it.”
Valda’s son Bruce and daughters Robyn and Shirley had no choice but to follow the Blues – and the same rules apply for their children and Valda’s great grandchildren!
“My daughter is laughing at me because I’ve turned so many people to Carlton – the whole family including my great grandchildren, we’re training them too.”
Although this passionate Carlton supporter may be known for her parties, Valda’s reputation as a loyal Bluebagger will no doubt continue to seep through generations of the Gerbing family.
“I’ve already received my membership for next year,” Valda said.
“Carlton is my team and that’s the way it’s always going to be.”
