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Last Week's Meeting 24 September 2025

MC and Speaker Chair:  Vice President Peter Dakin

Reflection:  Delivered by Tony Battaini – published elsewhere in this bulletin.

VP Branco Panich, standing in for President Philip Cornish who was attending a family wedding welcomed visitors and guests, highlighting our speaker for the day, legendary player and AFL Coach, David Parkin OAM. A full listing of visitors and guests is included at the conclusion of this Bulletin.

Rosemary Nixon Rotary Melbourne Board Member for Community Service announced winners of this year’s AFL Footy tipping competition.  Details are included below.

Vice President Branco then paid tribute to Rabbi John Levi who celebrated 45 years membership of Rotary Melbourne on 24 September, and Bob Burgess, who was present, for the celebration of his 49^th Anniversary as a Rotary Melbourne member, and expressed appreciation on behalf of the club for bobs extensive service during that time.

Chair of the Day Peter Dakin then introduced Philip Endersbee, Moderator, and David Parkin OAM for a lively podium discussion of David’s football career. 

What we learned from podium discussion between PP Philip Endersbee (OAM) and David Parkin OAM.

Early Life & Education

• Attended Melbourne High School in an unusual intake system from central schools.
• Followed his academically gifted brother, though David himself was more athletically inclined.
• Benefited from strong support from his principal, Bill Woodfield.
• Recalled a school incident involving mischief during an Alcoholics Anonymous talk, which resulted in expulsion of two friends.

Playing Career

• Lifelong Melbourne supporter but zoned to Hawthorn, where he debuted in 1961.
• Didn’t play in Hawthorn’s first premiership that year, but was close to the action.
• Eventually played over 200 games and captained Hawthorn (1968–71), including their 1971 premiership.

Coaching & Football Philosophy

• Advocated for balance in players’ lives — combining study or work with football.
• Praised Geelong’s welfare system, where every player is engaged in non-football activities, contributing to long-term success.
• Observed how the modern game is faster and more demanding, with players constantly involved.

Coaching Journey & Challenges

• Hawthorn: Coached to 1978 premiership but later forced to resign when his position was under review.
• Carlton (1981–85): Immediate success with the 1981 premiership; later sacked after a preliminary final.
• Fitzroy (1986–88): Took over during financial struggles; recounted unpaid players and directors risking personal assets. Still called it his most rewarding coaching year.
• Carlton return (1991–2000): Successful second stint.

Reflections on the Game

• State of Origin: Believes the concept is valuable but unlikely to return due to clubs’ concerns about injury.
• Modern AFL: Considers it the toughest game in the world physically and mentally. Recruiting now includes assessing players’ family values.

Opinions & Insights

• Brownlow Medal: Should remain decided by umpires despite occasional controversies.
• Best players coached:
• Overall: Peter Knights (admired for skill and character).
• At Carlton: Greg Williams (most influential, though difficult to coach) and Kenny Hunter (bravest and most loved).
• Rejected the idea of a sin bin in grand finals, arguing it would create too much pressure on umpires.

Personal Notes

• Spoke warmly about family connections to football, including his son Anthony (Port Adelaide recruiter).
• Acknowledged past tensions with figures like John Elliott but stressed pragmatic cooperation.
• Reflected on resilience after being sacked multiple times, calling coaching a “blood sport.”

Closing

• Expressed appreciation for Rotary’s support of the Mailbag Foundation in raising over $2.2 million for men’s health, particularly prostate cancer initiatives in rural communities.
• Immediately following Mary Barry’s thanks to David for his presentation, he told us about writing his brief personal memoirs titled the Last Quarter Plus Time Plus Time-on, which he started work on during COVID. David is one of only two coaches in the history of the game that have actually captained their team to a Grand Final and then come back solely as coach to win a Grand Final
• The other player that returned solely to coach their team was named correctly by John Peberdy as West Coast Eagles John Worsfold, and David presented him with his memoirs

The Annual Football Quiz

Past President Mary Barry and Sam McLarty moderated the Annual football quiz which tests Rotary Melbourne members and their guests on the detailed knowledge of AFL and VFL history

They reported the answers to the 10 questions as follows:

• Question 1, which AFL player kicked the most career goals without ever winning a Coleman medal. Okay, so check your list and your answers. The answer to question one is Peter McKenna, Collingwood, and Carlton 874 goals.
  • Following a Steward's Inquiry, Perter McKenna actually won 2 Coleman Medals, in 1972 and 1973. Richmond's Matthew Richardson is the correct answer, with 800 goals. The Go Pies organisers will be sent to the tribunal for review! (Reference: https://www.afl.com.au/stats/leaders-awards/coleman-medal)
• Question 2, what year did Brisbane Lions win the famous three-peat of Premierships? 2003 after winning premierships in 2001, 2002 and 2003?
• Question 3, Who was the first player to win the Brownlow Medal after the AFL, formerly VFL expanded nationally and changed its name in 1990? Tony Liberatore. Bulldogs in 1990.
• Question 4, which club was known as the Mayblooms before adopting its current nickname? Hawthorn Hawks.
• Question 5, Which club is widely recognized as the oldest football club and claims its formation in 1858: Melbourne Football Club?
• Question 6, What is the name of the Collingwood theme song? And also the name of the music that it's used for. The name of the song is Good Old Collingwood Forever. Forever. And the music is put by Dolly Gray. It's the oldest team song in the AFL dating back to 1906.
• Question 7, What is, what is the Jack Dyer Award awarded for by the Richmond Footy Club? The Jack Dyer Award is the best and fairest awarded Richmond Football Club. It is named after Jack Dyer. He won it five times from 1937 to 1946.
• Question 8, Good luck to anyone who gets this one Hassa Mann played for and coached Melbourne in the VFL. Can you name the other football club in Western Australia that he played for? That's South Fremantle. I was told in my answers, we will accept Freemantle.
• Question 9, who holds the record for the most VFL/AFL Games played. Brett (Boomer) Harvey North Melbourne.
• And final question, how many premierships have the Essendon Football Club have won? 16 premierships in the VFL/AFL era.

Table 5 won the quiz with 8 correct answers, with question one disputed. (See above)

Finally, Mary Barry announced that Adrian Nelson won the Award for the annual Best Dressed Award for the event.

A must see video of this event can be accessed below (or by clicking here).

In closing the meeting Past President Mary reminded members that next week’s meeting will be at #35 Restaurant, featuring guest speaker Dr Jennifer Fitzgerald AM, Group CEO, St Vincent de Paul.