One of the most pleasing and at times a surprising task for the museum is when a visitor arrives and introduces themselves with the simple question, ‘Would you like this?’
Back in early March, after most visitors for the day had left, Gavin Dixon opened his bag asking if Hawthorn would like this old record. He held up a brown record cover with a 12 inch (30cm) 78RPM acetate recording inside stating that he found this record in his late father’s record collection.
I read the label and instantly thought, ‘How good is this?’ The label read 3AW ‘Football Flash Back - Hawthorn v St Kilda 1943’. The mind went into meltdown. Could it be a live recording from that game? Unfortunately, I would have to wait till I got home to play it.
When I heard the record for the first time, I realised that it was not a live recording of the game but a re-enactment broadcast. I was to later learn that 3AW, for a number of years from the late 1940s to the mid 1950s, had a radio show titled Football Flashback that featured famous games from the period.
The crackling sound of the acetate made way for an unknown announcer who introduces the game:
“Today we turn back the clock to May 1943 for the opening match of the season between St Kilda and Hawthorn at Toorak Park the is was to be Hawthorn’s finest season till this year.”
- Could the announcer be referring to 1957 when Hawthorn made the finals for the first time?
The crowd noise fades away as the game starts with … “Harold Bray and Jack Connolly of St Kilda kicking 2 goals, a nasty brawl follows in the centre of the ground with players described as spilling everywhere. Townsend of St Kilda carried injured from the ground. Hawthorn lead by one point at quarter time in this thrilling game.”
“Now back to Toorak Park, it is all St Kilda in the second quarter with Harold Bray continuing to star up forward for St Kilda. Hawthorn’s lone highlight, Phil Ryan takes a fine mark and kicks Hawthorn’s fourth goal. St Kilda continues to hold a good grip on the game giving Hawthorn a football lesson with a handy 5 goal lead at the interval.”
Half time, a listener’s highlight follows. The modulated voice of the announcer spruces the sponsor’s product, Jubilee Whiskey. “Half time is a good time for a welcome glass of Jubilee Whiskey to ward of the winter chills that gets in a man’s bones, Jubilee is just the thing to warm you up and make you feel good. Always ask at your local hotel for a fine glass of Jubilee Whiskey, nothing but the best.”
“The third quarter sees a Hawthorn comeback with brilliant football to lead by 5 points at three quarter time. Goals to Jack O’Keefe, Jack Barker, Bobby Williams are mentioned in the highlights with Jimmy Bohan dominating in the centre with his long driving kicks.”
“The final quarter, the ball is bounced the big man fly, O’Keefe knocks to Barker who goals and Hawthorn are 8 points in front, St Kilda kicks another goal through Les Rowell, Hawthorn are 2 points up with seconds go George Bennett of Hawthorn marks in defence to hold St Kilda out …”
“The siren sounds, Hawthorn commence the 1943 season with a fine win 13.19.95 to St Kilda 14.9.93 with the crowd noise fading away.”
The recording, which runs for five and half minutes, will be dubbed onto a CD and will be available for visitors to the museum to hear and enjoy.
