A night of tall stories, reliving many a victory, premierships, a captain’s role, end of season trips and above all, mateship.
Over 70 Life Patrons of the Hawks Museum, The Glenferrie Gold and partners assembled in the museum. Word filtered through the crowd that the guest speakers had begun to arrive. Club Legends Michael Tuck, with his wife Faye and daughter Renee, Don Scott with former players, John Kennedy Jnr, Ian Paton and Russell Greene were soon seen chatting with the patrons. A very special gathering was in store for all.
Whilst enjoying some classic footy food of sausage rolls & pies, the museum curator gave an update on two of the recent major acquisitions to the Club Collection - the plaque commemorating the opening of the Hawthorn Stand at Princes Park and the Art Deco lettering, ‘Hawthorn Football Club’ from the Michael Tuck Stand at Glenferrie.
It was then time to move into the players’ theatrette for the evening’s entertainment, Tucky’s 70th birthday party.
The evening kicked off with the museum curator announcing that 23 new Glenferrie Gold Life Patrons had joined during 2023, taking the overall tally to 290. Seven new Patrons received their individually number badges and certificates. Former player Michael Cook, The Confreres, Alan Harrison, Kerry and Jeff Tighe, the WA Hawks Supporter Group, represented by Brett Attrill - this is the 11th time that the WA Hawks have donated to the museum - and Kerrie Brewer, the Club’s Executive General Manager for Development and Infrastructure, were all acknowledged.
An airing on the big screen of some of Tucky’s highlights set the scene. Tucky sat centre stage with his famous grin capturing the hearts of the audience.
Joint MCs Richard Allsop of ‘Football Flashbacks’ fame and his son, Matthew invited the first panel to the stage, Tucky’s best mate Lou Milner and his wife Faye. From Faye we learnt of how Tucky first met his wife to be - late one night on the nature strip whilst he searched for his false teeth! Lou recalled many a basketball game they played together as young lads and the joint number of senior games they played at Hawthorn, 427. Tucky, 426 with Lou proudly stating that he played the other one.
The second panel followed. The audience was treated to an amazing collection of stories. Russell Greene, John Kennedy Jnr, Ian Paton and Don Scott did not hold back, lacing their stories with remarkable candour and perhaps a touch of exaggeration, whilst illustrating many aspects of Tuck’s remarkable career. A giggling Tuck often interrupted to present his side of the story. We learnt from Scotty, who shared a room with Tucky when they were both on a football trip to Ireland with the Galahs, that Tucky would always place a framed photo of his wife Faye on the bedside table.
Not to be outdone, Tucky told many a tale about his own exploits, one which was classic Tuck and it brought the house down. “When I started at Hawthorn, the fitness people wanted me to put on weight, but I never did. I suppose I had good genes. I could eat anything and never put on any weight (the 188cm Tuck played at 76kg). Karen Inge was our dietician. When Gary Ayes had his skin fold test she said, ‘No more milkshakes.’ She then did a skin fold test on me and said I had the perfect body for football.’ Rubbing his tummy, Tucky added, ‘I’m now adding a bit on here, by the way! I went into the gym and saw Dermott with his barrel chest and Chris Langford looking like a Greek god and I said, ‘Bugger the perfect body, I want one like theirs!’”
Before the function drew to a close, the museum curator then presented Tucky with a short sleeved guernsey signed by the current playing group, with number 70 on the back. Pulling on the guernsey, Tucky explained that it was like putting on a girdle and, much to the delight of the audience and looking directly at the curator, said, ‘Don’t you remember I only wear long sleeves?’ Moments later Carlie Saunders entered the theatrette carrying a very large birthday cake, seven candles blazing … Tucky then blew out the candles as the audience sang a very loud version of Happy Birthday.
The night wound up with the patrons taking many a prized photo with Tucky and his teammates and his seven premiership cups.
The museum would like to acknowledge the wonderful contribution offered by staff members, Claire, Carlie and Jennifer, the museum’s resident photographer, Rachel and Yusef, the keeper of the Premiership Cups. We thank Michael (BOG), Faye and Renee Tuck, Lou Milner, Don Scott. John Kennedy Jnr, Ian Paton, Russell Greene, MCs Richard and Matthew Allsop and the wonderful support the Glenferrie Gold Life Patrons give so freely to the ongoing development of the Hawks Museum.
For further information about Glenferrie Gold Life Patrons of the Hawks Museum please contact the Hawks Museum (03) 9535 3075, 0427 455 723 email hawksmuseum@hawthornfc.com.au
