One of the unexpected joys of the Super Saturday open days in the Hawks Museum is meeting families who are related to former players, officials, volunteers and supporters who were close to the club.
During the recent Christmas open training sessions, two families with strong family connections introduced themselves to the museum curator.
The first family that visited, David and Jessica Gilblett came to view the War Service Cabinet.
They are kin to Alf Giblett who played nine games with the Mayblooms in 1935.
He had enlisted in the Second AIF and served overseas during WW2 with the 2/24th Battalion.
Giblett was reported “missing in action” whilst under machine gun fire on June 19, 1943.
After an official investigation, it was recommended that Giblett’s official records be reclassified to read “Missing believed Killed”.
He has no known grave and is commemorated at the Port Moresby War Cemetery.
The Gilblett family were very grateful to learn that Hawthorn had a cabinet recognizing the deeds of the fallen who made the supreme sacrifice for their country within the museum.
The second visitor was Lawrence Angwin, the grandson of former player and property steward Andy Angwin.
He was accompanied by his partner, his young son, Oliver and baby daughter, Arrie.
Lawrence proudly led his family through the museum learning more of his grandfather’s deeds, the Best & Fairest Display, the Crimmins Cabinet, the ancient old storage cupboard from the Property Room at Glenferrie and his famed Jack Titus Award.
Andy Angwin’s Impressive record:
Born September 4, 1918 - Died July 14, 2002
Played 1938 – 1944
Debut Order 240
Games 75, Goals 10, Guernsey 4
Best & Fairest 1940
2nd Best & Fairest 1941, 1942
State Representative 1
PP&OA President 1964 – 1967
HFC Life Member 1971
Property Steward 1978 – 2002
Jack Titus Award for Services to Football 2001
Andy Angwin arrived at the club from the VFA club Port Melbourne in 1938 and stayed on in many varying roles until 2002 when he sadly passed away.
His exceptional playing career was shorter than it should have been when he was forced into retirement with a serious knee injury.
A speedy and daredevil wingman, he won the best and fairest in 1940.
He came second in 1941, then again in 1942 with his renowned 'never give up' attitude that underlined his importance to the team.
From his playing days, Angwin always spoke highly of Albert Mills who he claimed was one of the best players and captains ever to wear the brown and gold.
He considered his coach Roy Cazaly to be way ahead of his time with his innovative training methods and team tactics.
One of his favourite football memories was when he was a member of the 1941 State team which was captained by his good friend Richmond’s Jack ‘Captain Blood’ Dyer when they defeated South Australia in Adelaide.
In 1962 Angwin served as a foundation member of the Social Club Committee where he was to meet his partner in crime, Kenny Goddard who later became Head Trainer.
Together they became cornerstones in creating the infectious comrade and team spirit that was to wash over many a player in the Trainers Rooms for the best part of four decades.
For many years Andy and his wife Yvonne, whom he met and married in 1955, washed and mended the guernseys and sewed on the logos and numbers.
On match days he was regarded as the spare parts man, ready for any emergency, making sure all the equipment was ready.
The guernseys, shorts, boots and footballs were all laid prior to the game, ready for the players.
Angwin was always the first at the club when the players arrived for training, and last to leave, accounting for everything, making sure boots were clean and the guernseys washed.
He took a very active part in the Past Players Committee, surviving as president for four years.
He knew everybody and was a walking front of Hawthorn history with the Hawks Museum constantly seeking knowledge from when it was established in 1992.
It was Angwin who alerted the Club that Peter Crimmins' last guernsey was still in his locker that had not been opened since he passed away in 1976.
A confidant to many a player, official and supporter, Angwin was awarded Life Membership in 1971 for his outstanding service to his beloved Hawks.
He was also honoured with the AFL’s prestigious Jack Titus Award in 2001 for his long and diligent service to football, which is now on display in the Hawks Museum.
