Community & Business
13 November, 2026
70 years of football pride in Dimbulah
FROM informal games on a school oval to regional championships and Queensland representatives, Dimbulah Football Club’s 70-year history is a story of migrant endeavour, sporting achievement and community spirit.
Its beginnings stretch to the early 1950s, when migrants, mainly from Italy, arrived to work on local tobacco farms. After Friday shopping, workers and locals gathered at the state school oval for soccer. Ten players soon became more than 30.
In 1956, visiting tax agent Ernesto Gambellini called a meeting to establish a club. Constante Gatto became president, Fred Cattarossi secretary, and Ermes Schincariol treasurer. Patron Jim Ford donated £50. The following year, F.H.V. Tobacco Company contributed £100, with its light and dark blue stripes adopted as the club’s colours.
Early matches against Tinaroo, Mareeba, and Boogan were played on the old cricket oval, where basketball and tennis courts now stand. Pioneer player Stan Zadro later formed the Far North Queensland Soccer Federation.
In the early 1960s, the club moved to its present sports reserve. Players and volunteers built dressing and storage facilities, establishing a home that generations would improve.
Success followed. Dimbulah defeated Townsville 4-3 in Ingham to claim the Gazziolli Shield in 1963. In 1968, the club won the Far North Queensland Championship Trophy and defeated Townsville Olympic 3-2 for the Crad Evans Shield.
Junior football developed separately, based in Argyle Street under founding president Romeo Vincenzino, treasurer Jim Rickards, secretary Lenore Tessaro and providore Maureen Dogao. The juniors began playing Mareeba in 1972, then arranged social matches with Cairns clubs when Mareeba could not field a team the following year.
The Under 12s enjoyed a memorable 1977, winning the Toffanello Shield and Tong Sing Trophy. Goalkeeper Marco Pol Bodetto earned Queensland selection and Junior Sportsman of the Year honours.
Senior teams also challenged the region’s strongest clubs, reaching the premier division grand finals in 1973, 1975 and 1978, but losing each to Stratford.
Bruno Fantin became president in 1980, beginning a remarkable tenure lasting until his death in February 2016. His dedication helped drive the clubhouse redevelopment. A “Buy a Brick” campaign attracted support from tobacco farmers and businesses, while builder Tony Dalla Lana led construction with volunteer labour.
The clubhouse opened on February 16, 1985. With industrial action causing power outages, Bruno supplied his Massey 65 tractor to drive a generator, keeping the celebrations running into the early hours. Improved floodlighting followed in 1986 through another community effort, supported by local tradespeople, businesses and a $10,000 council loan.
That year, the youth team won its premiership and grand final. Premier coach Ivor Schofield later guided Dimbulah to the 1990 championship, beating Leichhardt 1-0 through Gery Montagner’s spectacular header.
About 1500 spectators attended the 1991 grand final at Dimbulah. Although Edge Hill won 3-0, hosting the occasion was a proud milestone.
The club continued developing talent, including Clint Dal Santo, whose career included Queensland representation, a university scholarship in America and trials in England. Daniel Schincariol represented Queensland from 2001 to 2003, joined by Raymond Watkins in 2002.
The junior and senior clubs amalgamated in the early 2000s, bringing both sections together at the current grounds. Further senior success came in 2005, when Brian Schincariol coached Dimbulah to the premiership, grand final and Crad Evans Shield. Premiership and grand final victories followed in 2006, with another trophy treble in 2009.
A combined Dimbulah-Mareeba third division side won the premiership and Crad Evans Shield in 2012. Player shortages have prevented Dimbulah fielding a senior team since 2013, but its juniors continue in Tablelands competition.
Today, Bruno’s name lives on through the main field, honouring the devotion that helped sustain a club built by its community. The Fantin Cup now honours the founding member and brings Dimbulah and Mareeba families together across generations.
