Two recent sets of visitors have been real surprises.
From Tasmania, Teresa Parsey and her son Brendan wanted to see what might be on display of Teresa’s grandfather Roy Cazaly who coached Hawthorn.
With a little more luck Cazaly could have been the Club’s first coach to make the finals back in 1943. The team tied for fourth place missing this history-making opportunity on percentage only.
Cazaly however did gain lasting fame as the person responsible with Hawthorn adopting the nickname of the Hawks. Prior to this name change Hawthorn was known as the Mayblooms. Cazaly’s daughter Pat had originally suggested the idea of calling the team the Hawks to her father.
To the families disappointment there is no known photo of Cazaly during his two years with the Club, for reasons unknown he missed being in the 1942 and 1943 team photos that are on display. However Teresa and Brendan were very pleased to have their photo taken with one of the Hawk mascots on display.
The other two visitors were completely unexpected, I had noticed that they were reading every word of the displays and were absolutely enthralled. Introducing themselves, the two fans were from Surrey, England and that they followed the fortunes of the Club by watching telecasts of the Hawks in their local pub back home and checked the Club website almost daily.
The story gets even more impressive. Brenden Bratulic and Jenni Harrington were only in Melbourne for a week to see Brenden’s mother, visit the Hawks Museum at Waverley and see the Hawks train. They also hoped to see the gym.
They wanted to compare a footballers gym to the one they use in maintaining their fitness and agility as professional ballet dancers. Having studied ballet together, Brenden is gaining international experience in Japan as a member of the K-ballet Company, whilst Jenni dances with the English National Ballet Company.
They were thrilled to see everything Hawthorn, and to have photos taken with the 2008 Premiership Cup.
When leaving, Chelsea at Reception mentioned training was on the Friday. With only a day left of their trip to Melbourne, Brenden and Jenni returned to Waverley for a second time to watch the Hawks train. They were delighted, informing us that their next trip was to see the Hawks play.
Peter Haby, Hawks Museum Curator
Cazaly family members, Teresa and Brendan with the Hawk.
English visitors Jenni Harrington and Brenden Bratulic admire the 2008 Premiership exhibit.
