On May 13, three generations of the Kennon family visited the Hawks Museum to make a very important presentation to the Club Collection. Their esteemed family patriarch, J. W. Kennon, had been in inducted to the HFC Hall of Fame in 2010. The family decided that Kennon’s Hall of Fame medallion should be offered for permanent display within the Hawks Museum.
The Museum is pleased to announce that the Medallion is now on display and can be seen in a special presentation case as a proud feature in the Club Chronology exhibit.
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Three generations of the Kennon family present J.W. Kennon’s Hall of Fame medallion.
What makes J. W. Kennon such an important figure in our Club’s history?
Kennon played as a 17 year old in Hawthorn’s first year of competition in the Metropolitan Junior Football Association in 1902 and was appointed Assistant Secretary in 1912. He was part of the steering committee that saw Hawthorn join the ranks of the VFA (which today would be considered the second division to the VFL) in 1914. When elected as Club President in 1921, he oversaw what was always his major objective, to see Hawthorn field a team in the premier football competition. This objective was realized in 1925 when the Club joined the VFL.
J. W. Kennon, known to all as Bill was born, August 11, 1885. His father, Thomas Kennon, managed J. Kennon & Sons Tannery that operated from River Street, Richmond. The family business started in 1863 and was a well-known Richmond landmark for nearly 100 years before it closed in 1960. Kennon and his brothers attended Scotch College and may well be among the first of many footballers recruited from that school to play for Hawthorn.
Kennon and his brothers developed their passion for sport early on, competing in local athletics, cricket, swimming and most importantly football. Family members recall that the brothers joined Hawthorn in its first year, playing in both the Saturday and the then popular Wednesday competitions. Brother Les, a vice-captain, was considered the better footballer and he can be seen proudly holding the football in the photo of the team that won the 1904-5 Premierships in the E.S.J.F.A.
Kennon played mainly as a quick running forward with a reputation for kicking long goals. No accurate records exist of the number of games or goals that he registered, however the newspapers record him playing in his eleventh season in 1912, the year that he became assistant secretary. He had been serving on the committee since 1908.
In the 1912 team photo, the figure kneeling in the front row wearing the bowler hat is thought to be J. W. Kennon. That year, the Club went to Bendigo for its end of season trip. There, together with the St Kilda and Bendigo Football Clubs, they participated in a variety of sports. Kennon won the goal kicking competition with one of his renowned long kicks.
In 1921, Bill Kennon was elected as Club President and he served in that capacity until 1931. He only stood down from that role after he received a debilitating injury on the golf course. Bill was hit on the head with the full force of a golf ball and it would take him many years to fully recover.
Kennon was a valued benefactor to the Club. In 1923, in order to improve spectator comfort at the ground and to create a Club office, Kennon and his good friend Bill Owen paid for the building of the first Grandstand at Glenferrie with seating for 260 people. It was located at the west end of the ground near the entrance gate where the Tuck Stand stands today. It was named the Kennon and Owen Stand in recognition of their outstanding contribution and was demolished in 1936 to make way for the Tuck Stand.
The two men also made funds available for the players’ End of Season Trips that were held at the seaside resort town of Cowes for nearly a decade. They provided the refreshments and HFC monogrammed cricket caps for the players to wear, helping to foster a Club identity.
Kennon’s wife Lavinia also took a leading role, preparing afternoon teas for the opposition teams. She Chaired the Ladies Fund Raising Committee for many years. Kennon also provided many trophies for the Club. In 1925, when Jim McCashney became the first player to register 100 consecutive games for Hawthorn, Kennon presented him with a gold inscribed cigarette case to honor this outstanding achievement. He was very popular with the players and was respected for his generosity, making his home in Hawthorn Grove available for many Club celebrations.
After he stood down, he continued to follow the fortunes of the Club, attending most home games in the company of his good friends, Bill Owen and William Hulse. In 1942, he was invited to be a trustee for the HFC Provident Fund, a position he held until his sudden death in 1945.
Always an avid sportsman, Kennon took up lawn bowls. On the day before he died, he won the City of Hawthorn Bowls Championship. Many former players, officials and representatives from numerous sporting, charitable and local government organizations attended his funeral.
Kennon was widely respected for his courteous manner, outstanding sportsmanship and his generous contributions to charity. In addition to his service to Hawthorn, he served on the committees of the City of Hawthorn Bowling Club, the Hawthorn-East Melbourne Cricket Club and the Melbourne and Cowes Hospitals.
Footnote:
The Kennon family Hawthorn connection is alive and well today. J W Kennon’s great grandson, avid Hawk Clinton Kennon, gained folklore fame when he established the John Barker Wing. Also of interest, Bronya Maher, the daughter of well-known Club supporter Laurie Maher, the twin sister of Lyndie Cardell (nee Lebcher), married Clinton Kennon in 2005. As young girls, the Lebcher twins were childhood friends of the Kennon family, thus the Family Club continues.
J.W. KENNON
Born August 11, 1895, Died March 15, 1945
Played 1902 – 1912 (No accurate records for games, goals).
Assistant Secretary 1912
Club Committee 1912-1931
President 1921-1931
Life Member 1924
HFC Hall of Fame Inductee 2010
