Recognition of a Family Involvement

History of the Brown family in my time at the club.

My early memory of the Brown family Ian, Marcia, Janine, Robyn and Kerryn began when I arrived at the club as a 13 year old with some mates to join up.

Ian became President in the early 80s and along with his family were a major part of the fabric of the club for over 25 years.

Marcia, Janine, Robyn and Kerryn were major contributors to the club with all scoring, working canteen, cleaning and providing for players needs on home games at Merri Park.

Ian in these times was secretary, President, player and club rep to the then VBA, and was also a member of the VBA council (pennant Committee) for a number of years.

With this long involvement in the club you can imagine there will be many things to record.

Both Marcia and Ian are life members of the club.

There is an interview with Ian on the website if you all wish for a trip down memory lane.

Marcia over this time did pretty much all that can be done – Canteen manager, scorer at club and state level, open house at their Templestowe home our second club rooms where all were welcome. Many fond memories of open house parties and club functions.

Janine also scored at club and state level, worked in the canteen and played.

Probably the biggest thing Janine will be etched in club folklore for was being the first female to play in open age men’s comp filling in when a team was short, which at the time infuriated the VBA who wanted to strip the club of the points for the win. But with the club threatening to go to the VIC Anti-Discrimination board, the VBA relented and this paved the way for girls and women to play.

Robyn also scored, working in the canteen, played and was a constant around the club.

Kerryn being the youngest grew up watching her sisters, mum and dad contribute, and not surprisingly followed along to become a scorer, helper and long-time servant of the club. Scoring for the first nine team for many years after her family’s direct involvement ceased.

My personal memories of the Brown family are fond ones as this family were basically my second family with Marcia having a major influence on the way I grew up and passing on the love of the club.

If you ever get the change to meet members of this family at the club, please take time to have a chat and share a story of their involvement.

One of my favourite memories was when we used to play an end of season (winter then) weekend at Wangaratta and when it finished we all retired to a pub for dinner.

All was going well until when the meals were ordered and they took ages to arrive. Ian fronted the publican to voice our frustration of the service and when the meals finally arrived summoned us all to leave without touching our meals or paying.

Our club owes a great deal of debt to this family, who kept our club going and allow us all to be here today still as Fitzroy and playing at Merri Park.

Thank you,

John King