AFL Merit Award to Don Malcolm
8 February 2008



Don Malcolm's service to community football was honoured at AFL Victoria's Members' Dinner on 8 February 2008.

Don was presented with the AFL Merit Award for outstanding service to Australian Football, one of only two recipients of AFL Victoria's top award.

The occassion was even more special as it is the 150th celebratory season for Australian Football. Among the speakers at the 180-strong function at the MCG, was 150 Years of Australian Football ambassador Kevin Sheedy and renowned crime journalist John Silvester.

Don's award recognises a lifetime of continuous service to St Mary's Football Club and Ferndale Park. Don said that 'it was a great privilige to have received the award. The small church club of St. Mary's has come a long way in being acknowledged in the football circles of this great game."

Don recalls the evening:
"I was privileged to be invited and attended the AFL Members Dinner on Friday night at the MCG and was extremely surprised to see that I was to receive a Merit Award for outstanding service to Australian Football. There were only two given and presented by Tony Pinwell an AFL Victoria director. ( you may remember he played with Donvale and was a great player. He certainly remembered St Mary's!)"

"The occasion was even more special seeing that this is the "150 year" celebratory season for Australian Football. The evening was MC'd by Stephen Phillips, Guest Speakers were Kevin Sheedy and John Silvester ( Sly of the Underworld)."

"We had at our table the CEO of the VAFA, the Football Manager of the VAFA, and AFL Victoria director, David Doherty, so the small church club of St.Mary's has come a long way in being acknowldeged in the football circles of this great game."

"I was interviewed by Stephen Phillips and given the opportunity to say a few words and was able to highlight St.Mary's involvement in Amateur football over 75 years. I thanked the AFL, those who put my name forward and all the people involved with our club and who had contributed over the years, finishing with some detail on the merged club."

"It is a great privilege to have received this Award and it is great that the club also is receiving good coverage and acknowledgement by other clubs and organisations."

Congratulations
Well done Don, from all at St Mary's Salesian AFC. The award could not have gone to a more worthy recipient.

AFL Merit Award winners
Russell Adams, Colac and District Umpires Association
Don Malcolm, St Mary’s Football Club

Special presentation:
Mick Middleton

Volunteer of the Year Award winner:
Jim Penaluna, Port Melbourne Colts Football Club

Outstanding Individual Achievement Award winner:
David Martin, Bentleigh Amateurs Football Club

Umpire Achievement Award winner:
Greg Sidebottom, Goulburn Valley Football Umpires Association

League Initiative Award winner:
Eastern Football League

Community Club of the Year Award winner:
Pascoe Vale Football Club