On July 20, 2024, a number of Hawthorn faithful assembled at Glenferrie Oval to commemorate the new public open space at the spiritual home of the Hawthorn Football Club, 1906-2005. The City of Boroondara recently demolished the old Dr Ferguson Stand and created a landscaped garden with play equipment for the local NAB AFL Auskick families and community to enjoy.
The day was a classic winter footy day with grey skies, blustery and icy winds accompanied by steady rain. The sounds of yells and laughter from little Auskick players provided the celebrations with a wonderful background of enjoyment in playing football. They were carrying on a noble tradition from former years at Glenferrie of slipping and sliding, playing with determination on the waterlogged surfaces of Glenferrie’s mud and slush. One parent was observed in the crowd - local resident and Hawthorn great, Jarryd Roughead as he stood quietly watching his children participate. Maybe another Roughie will become a Hawk like their famous father.
Cr Lisa Hollingsworth kicked off proceedings when she introduced Andrew Ferguson, the son of the late Dr Ferguson to the assembled audience. Proudly wearing his father’s HFC blazer, Andrew Ferguson related many family stories of when he and his sisters’ attended games at Glenferrie, the social events held after the game and how proud they were to have the grandstand remembered with commemoration plaques in the newly created community space.
Hawk Club Legends followed with Peter Knights and Michael Tuck, who regaled the crowd with stories of Peter Hudson kicking 150 goals in the 1971 season, many of the goals in front of jam-packed crowds of over 30,000 at Glenferrie.
Representing the Hawthorn Football Club on that very wet & cold morning were Club President Andy Gowers, Board member, Anne-Marie Pellizzer, Club CEO, Ashley Klein, GM – Commercial Strategy & Infrastructure, Mick Lin, GM Consumer Business, Jeremey Millard, Club Legends, Peter Knights & Michael Tuck (who pointed out to all the Tuck Stand), and from the Hawks Museum, Rachel Bradshaw & Peter Haby.
During the morning formalities, a long-standing tradition was observed when a passing train slowed momentary, with the driver tooting the train’s horn. Many an ardent Hawk fan will recall the red rattlers, as the suburban trains were lovingly called, standing for several minutes so the passengers could watch the game under way. Richmond legend & popular radio commentor, Jack Dyer, loved to embellish a story. He often related a story from a game he played at Glenferrie, when Hawthorn star Jimmy Bohan kicked the football into the open carriage door of a passing train headed to Flinders Street Station. Surely, the longest ever kick on Glenferrie Oval!
The formalities over, it was off to the MCG to see the Hawks take on Collingwood!
