The second, affectionately known as the Old Wooden Stand was erected in 1922 as part of Hawthorn’s campaign to join the VFL. It was originally part of the East Melbourne football ground that was demolished to make way for the new railway yards at Jolimont. The grandstand was transported to Glenferrie by horse and cart, and stood right behind the goals at the city end of the ground. The Wooden Stand has passed into Hawthorn folklore with many of our older fans recalling how the stand would shake when the spectators stamped their feet whenever the Hawks scored a goal.
The third grandstand, the Red Brick Stand - later known as the Tuck Stand, was built in 1938 replacing the Kennon & Owen Stand. This innovative grandstand was like no other built in Australia. A streamline art deco structure in red brick, all sweeping curves, with the appearance of an ocean liner attracting lasting worldwide attention.
The fourth Grandstand opened in 1968 and was built in the simplistic vertical and horizontal lines common of that era. The wonderful record of former Club President Dr A S Ferguson, one of the leaders behind the Club’s first Premiership in 1961 was to be perpetuated with the naming of the new stand in his honour. Club Patron Sir Henry Winneke officially opened the Stand in front of a crowd of 1,300 prior to the start of the first home game for that season. In the final minutes of the game that day, Peter Hudson scored a point to put the Hawks a goal up. Not to be denied, however, South Melbourne’s Peter Bedford followed with a goal to draw the match.
The Ferguson Stand only saw six years of VFL football. With the team developing a free running, attacking style of football, relying on wide-open spaces for success. With this in mind, the decision was made to seek a larger ground, as the Hawks moved to Princes Park in 1974. As if by some quirk of fate, the last home game at Glenferrie was against South Melbourne. This time the Hawks prevailed by 37 points.
With the cycle of time, the Hawks moved home base to Waverley Park as the Dr Ferguson Stand was earmarked for demolition. Permission was sought from the Boorandara Council for the removal of the lettering Dr A S Ferguson Stand to be rehung at Waverley Park by the Hawks Museum.
This is where Arthur Chisolm enters the story. Arthur and his wife Dot, both former ardent South Melbourne supporters who gave VFL football away when the Swans moved to Sydney in 1982. After spending 14-15 years in the football wilderness, they answered a call for volunteers, when Hawthorn was threatened with the prospect of merging with Melbourne in 1996.
Dot and Arthur became part of the army of volunteers who helped with membership mail-outs before turning their talents to overseeing the barbecues provided for supporters during Thursday night training sessions. With the move to Waverley, they were invited to assist with the preparation of lunches for the players during the season.
Arthur, however, is more than a kitchen hand - he is a natural jack-of-all-trades. He has become a valued ally, assisting the Hawks Museum Curator with the hanging of memorabilia. A standout achievement has been the creation of the twin ‘Stairways of Memories’ at Waverley. The honour boards from the Tuck Stand and the Social Club, framed guernseys, player and officials portraits and Club signage have been hung, and have become a fitting tribute to the players and officials and their home of 100 years, Glenferrie.
Arthur also keeps an eye on the lighting in the museum and replaces light bulbs when required. He has also assisted with the re-cycling of museum cabinet furniture from the museum cabinets at Glenferrie. New display stands have been made and re-painted for the various displays saving the museum countless dollars.
Arthur’s latest venture has been assisting with the installation of the Dr Ferguson lettering above the scoreboard from the railway wing at Glenferrie that has put a wonderful finishing touch to the stairs. The Dr A S Ferguson Stand lives on for future generation to appreciate.
For members and football fans in general who wish to see the Stairways of Memories, you can book for a place in Graham Arthur’s Stadium Tours held every Wednesday throughout the season.
For enquiries please contact Mike Warren 03 95953063
The Stairway of Memories located at Waverley Park.
Arthur finishes hanging the letters of the Dr A S Ferguson Stand in the Stairways of Memories.
The Dr A S Ferguson Stand at Glenferrie Oval.
