THE Whitfield and District Golf Club and King Valley community are saddened by the passing of Merv Porter (01/11/1941 – 28/04/2025) and wish to acknowledge their gratitude for Merv, and the Porter family’s, contribution to life in the valley.

Merv’s many friends offer their deepest sympathy and condolences to his dear wife Heather, and children Glen, Mark, Cheree and family, and offer their support and best wishes for the future.

Whitfield and District Golf Club captain Greg Rosser shares his thoughts below on Merv's impact on the club and broader community.

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Mervyn Porter had been part of almost everything that happened in the King Valley for the past 83 years; the Porter's are one of Whitfield’s many great pioneering families, all of whom have enriched the valley’s history, and pro-actively fertilised the valley’s very positive future.

A glance at Angelo Cavallin’s United We Stand, a history of the King Valley Football Netball Club, illustrates the impact of the Porter family in vital community activities - Merv’s father Ray proudly pictured with Bob Lay, George Crosher and Randolph Morgan with the team sheet for the valley’s first O&K game against Eldorado 1935 - the half back line J. Rea, P. Laffy and Ray Porter.

Team sheets, scores, goalkickers, best players and honour boards further monitor the prolific contributions of Merv and his brother Fred to the King Valley; a great mate of Merv’s describing him as "a straight ahead tearaway" and there was mention of some opponents being “collected” as Merv emulated his dad Ray’s feats running off half-back for the mighty blue and whites.

To add to the Porter legacy, son Mark - a 100-game AFL player with Carlton and North Melbourne - was invited to write the foreword to United We Stand.

He describes being part of the King Valley 1993 thirds premiership team, coached by Fred Pizzini, as “an intensely satisfying moment after the massive losing margins of 1990, improving in 1991, and losing the grand final in 1992”.

It sounds like that new buzz word “resilience” applies to this group which, by the way, also included Leigh Newton, who became an O&M Morris Medallist and Melbourne ruckman.

Mark Porter acknowledges that if there had not been enough boys in the valley to form a thirds side in 1990 “the reality is I would not have played the game at the elite level, for that opportunity alone I am thankful”.

Mark records his gratitude for life-lessons learnt and being part of the culture created by the people of the club, whether it be at the MCG or Whitfield.

Merv and the Porter family’s other sporting indulgence commenced in the late 1980s when a group of famous local families held a public meeting to form a golf club, and it is Merv’s unassuming contribution to this new community gathering opportunity that we pay utmost respect.

Firstly, he was delighted when son Glen took to the game winning four consecutive junior championships in the late 1980s, the Medal of Medals in 1990, and the Men’s Championships of 1992 and 1996, and more importantly a lover of the game and the company.

Merv was a good Whitfield golfer, one of few to score a hole-in-one, a top bloke to play with, and delighted when in 2019 he was honoured with Life Membership, savouring the company of Jim and Lauris Skinns, Carmel Dickson, Graeme Stanyer, Dan Shanahan and Robyn Hogan.

And therein lies another great story, Merv Porter’s membership of the fabulous four, a group who most don’t know exist, who seek no recognition or applause, who volunteered their time for 40 years to provide their mates - and countless visitors to the King Valley - a place to golf.

Merv Porter, Graeme Stanyer, Dan Shanahan and Gus Brondt are "the Fab Four."

Every year they do the greenkeeper work often done by two full-time professionals, every week they mow and mow, re-do the sand scrapes, weed, spray, water, replace cups and flags and produce picturesque boutique playing conditions.

As well as considered the star on the tractor, Merv is the inventor/engineer of the group; suggestions made usually materialised thanks to Merv - his adaptation of washing machine inners and frames to produce a sieve for standardising every speck of sand for the scrapes - is rated as classic and will find a place in our golf museum.

Merv was a farmer, a footballer, a husband, a father and grandfather, a golfer, an inventor, a mate who could be relied upon whenever his neighbours, family, friends and community needed him.

Rest in peace, Merv Porter, and thanks to you and your family for making the King Valley a better place.

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King Valley in brief

King Basin Landcare testing the waters

THE King Basin Landcare Group (KBLG) is managing a water quality testing program being undertaken in the Upper King River over a 12-month period.

The group advises that to ensure the independence and integrity of the results, ALS Global laboratory in Wangaratta has been engaged to take the samples and to conduct the analysis.

Samples are being taken every month from four points on the river between Lake William Hovell and the Gentle Annie Caravan Park, to account for seasonal differences.

The KBLG says it will provide an objective, scientifically based assessment of the Upper King River which will be placed in the public domain for critical analysis, with the aim of ensuring any issues may be addressed and its health preserved.

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Community cinema in the King Valley

THE Rural City of Wangaratta will hold community cinema events at the Edi Upper Hall on Friday, 27 June from 6pm, and at the Moyhu Soldiers Memorial Hall on Friday, 4 July from 4.30pm.

At Edi Upper, there will be a screening of the family movie Oddball from 7pm, with entry free (no booking required) and a barbecue, snacks and soft drinks available to purchase on the night, plus all welcome to bring a plate to share for supper.

In Moyhu, come dressed in your best PJs, bring a pillow to sit on, and watch Despicable Me 4 from 6pm, as part of the Moyhu Slumber Party.

There will be finger food available, lucky door prizes, music and games, with entry $10 and bookings required on 0432 601 337.

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Vote for Whitfield in tourism awards

WHITFIELD is a finalist in the Victoria Tourism Industry Council's 2025 Victorian Top Tourism Town Awards, in the tiny town category.

The entry was compiled by the King Valley Tourism Association (KVTA) with support from the Rural City of Wangaratta, in an effort to raise awareness and boost visitation to the region.

The KVTA is encouraging everyone to get their votes in at vtic.com.au/toptourismtown/2025finalists/whitfield/ with voting to close at 5pm on Friday, 27 June.

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