There are many times when the Hawks Museum enjoys a group’s visit. The recent visit to Waverley Park and the Museum by the Thornbirds was a particularly happy, highlighting their memories and deep connections to the football club they love. For decades, this volunteer supporter group of dedicated Hawthorn women have aided the Club and has helped many others.
A flock of 28 Thornbirds was treated to a tour of the Museum by the Curator and a special viewing of some of the Club’s facilities. Members of the group reminisced about players, games and their participation in Family days and in training nights attended. As many Thornbirds were Hawthorn locals, the memories often led to identities and incidents from Glenferrie Oval days.
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Viewing the Museum’s displays, the stories flowed about such things as babies delivered by Dr Jona or Dr Ferguson, speeches delivered by legendary coaches and the respect owed to the Club and its people. Among the storytellers, Anne Tymms related tales of her close friend, long-serving trainer, Norm Lord. Joan Hegedus provided another link with Glenferrie by very kindly donating her father’s 1977 Social Club medallion to the Museum. Andrea Dillon and Jennifer O’Connor also have current links to the Club with connections to the 2018 VFLW Premiership Hawk, Rosie Dillon.
One of the group’s main aims is in fundraising and other efforts for Hawthorn causes. Their visit to Waverley included a presentation by the Club Community Department’s Oscar Anderson on the benefits gained from making blankets of Hawk Member scarves. Hawthorn recently helped open the Afford Sensory Friendly Space at the MCG. The Member Scarf blankets add to the comfort for autistic supporters using this new room. This is just one benefit of the blankets and a tiny part of the enormous contribution made by these dedicated women of Hawthorn.
The Hawks Museum would like to thank the wonderful Thornbirds for their donations, incredible memories and for their support as Glenferrie Gold Life Patrons of the Museum. Their visit truly made for some Happy Hawks.
A history of the group is being prepared by current Thornbirds, Bev Allen and Irene McShane. If you have any information on the history of the group, or if you would like to become a Thornbird, please contact group President, Lyn Sutton, c/o the Hawks Museum by phone (03) 9535 3075, or by email, hawksmuseum@hawthornfc.com.au
