Noel Wallis

From the well known Wallis football family, his contribution to Australian football in Queensland has largely come as a 26-year senior administrator at grass roots level in the Brisbane region. In July 1975 he was appointed secretary of the South Queensland Australian Football Association (SQAFA). He saw that body through several metamorphoses to resign in late 2001. Before his outstanding administrative career, like his brother Keith, he was a product of Western Districts, playing about 200 reserve grade and 15 senior games for the Bulldogs.

Also spent some of his 375-odd senior games at Geebung and Aspley. He coached junior football at Wests and Aspley for eight years and was a senior coach at Geebung and Aspley for five years. His contribution as an administrator began with 13 years on the committees of Aspley and Geebung, but it was in his role with the SQAFA and later the Brisbane Australian Football League (BAFL) and AFL South Queensland, that he made his mark.

The 1980s and ‘90s were difficult times for community football as interest, funding and volunteers drifted to the Bears/Lions. He was a strong advocate for the clubs at the bottom levels and made sure that this vital link in the code’s development chain remained viable and relevant. During his tenure, machinations outside of Brisbane that included the collapse of the Sunshine Coast League and changes to the structure of Gold Coast football saw him negotiate difficult times with composure and forethought.

Is an Aspley and AFL South Queensland Life Member.