When the Hawks Museum was planning the proposed exhibit to feature the 70^th anniversary of the Hawk Mascot in November 2012, a call was sent out seeking information on who may have the oldest toy or mascot Hawk.  

The museum was delighted to receive two toy Hawks that we had not seen before. 

The first Hawk received dated from 1963 was offered for loan by Wendy Grace from Western Australia.  Helen Greenfield, a Glenferrie Gold Life Patron offered the second Hawk made by her mother in 1958.

Wendy Grace, who was visiting Melbourne brought her late mother, Shirley Grace’s football memorabilia into the museum to learn more about the collection and to offer the Hawk that her mother would take to the football.  

At first Wendy thought her mother may have made it but a chance discussion with Helen Greenfield who was also visiting the museum mentioned that her mother had bought her the same Hawk from a toyshop in the Arcade beside the Glenferrie Railway Station in 1963 and that she still had it.

Helen has since became a wonderful source of knowledge on Glenferrie from the late 1950s on, with what young supporters wore to the game, the Cheer Squad and memorabilia sold at the Club’s Souvenir stall. 

The Hawk, on loan from Helen Greenfield was made by her mother, Doreen Hill as a good luck charm to take to the football.   Helen’s mother was a member of the London Embroidery Guild and was very talented and skillful at knitting enabling her to create what we think is the oldest known toy Hawk.   Helen has followed the fortunes of the Hawks since the mid 1950s attending games initially with her father until she joined the Cheer Squad during the 1960s. 

One very fond memory that Helen enjoys telling from her Cheer Squad days comes from the late 1960s, the girl’s football match she played in at Glenferrie.  The Hawthorn Cheer Squad girls played the Geelong Cheer Squad girls at half time.  Helen played on the half back flank sporting one of Cam McPherson’s old guernseys, her sister; Jean wore a pair of McPherson’s boots.  For the record Cam McPherson who wore number 26 played in the Hawks first Premiership in 1961.  In a very willing and rugged game the Hawthorn girl’s were triumphant.

In an inspired demonstration of faith and showing her true allegiances Helen has worn her Hawk either stitched to her beanie or on the shoulder of her jacket to the 16 Grand Finals that Hawthorn has participated in.  A record that not that many could match.  Helen and her Hawk have shared the jubilation of 10 flags and the lows of 6 defeats.

Other Hawk highlights seen in this commemorative exhibit:

• The proto version of the 1997 Pre-Season Guernsey, the first guernsey to feature a Hawk, designed and donated by Glenferrie Gold Life Patron, Mark Warren
• Cotton jumper with a hand drawn cartoon of Des Meagher on loan from the Meagher family
• David Parkin’s 21^st birthday present presented by the playing group, donated by David Parkin
• The famous Hawk on the stand that resided at Glenferrie 1950 – 2006 originally donated to the Club by Max Manderson
• The Hawks Paper Hat from 1957 on loan from Mary Bunting
• A Club Tie from 1946 and the Hawk badge issued to the players on their end of Seasons Trip in 1952

Helen Greenfield’s hand knitted Hawk from 1958 (left) and Wendy Grace’s Hawk from 1963 (right).

The exhibit celebrating 70 years of the Hawk.