It is with great sadness that we learn of the passing of club legend Don Malcolm, who has passed away peacefully at age 90. Don was the embodiment of everything St Mary’s – a true ‘heart and soul’ club person who loved his football, loved his club and worked tirelessly on all things St Mary’s.
Don’s early memories of St Mary’s Football Club date back to 1936. He recalls that the 1936 Premiership side met at his family home in Toorak Rd, South Camberwell opposite St Mary’s Church and made their way to the Blackburn Sports Oval for the B Grade Grand Final against Box Hill Adelphians. Don’s father George Malcolm was the Club President, and Don was seven years old when the club won its first Premiership.
Don first played for the club in 1946 at age 16, playing alongside Albert Vickery, when the club reformed after the war. In 1957 he joined the Committee and took on the role of club secretary. He was club secretary from 1957-1962, working to progress the club from C Grade through to the B Grade Premiership in 1960 with the resultant promotion to A Grade. He served as Club President from 1974-1977 during which time the club won it’s 1st A Grade Premiership. He served again as President from 1987-1988. For many years Don was also the Club Trainer, including for the 1979 and 1980 Premiership sides and was a skilled practitioner of the ‘magic towel’.
He was made a Life Member of the Club in 1960.
Don was a Committee Member of the ESCFA (Eastern Suburbs Churches Football Association) from 1960-1964, and over many years provided valuable advice to the ESCFA Executive.
Don understood the importance of permanency of tenancy for the club and the need for continuous improvements at Ferndale Park and to achieve this he and Ray Leman joined the Ferndale Park Committe in 1957. The Committee had the responsibility to manage the park on behalf of both Council and the community. He served as Secretary of the Ferndale Park Committee from 1957-1987 and as Chairman from 1993.
A major redevelopment of the Ferndale Park pavilion took place during season 2010 and was opened at the beginning of season 2011. Both Don and David Malcolm spent tireless hours drawing up, and redrawing plans and going to numerous meetings to make sure that the club had the best facilities possible for many years to come. In recognition of the contribution of The Malcolm Family to the redevelopment of the Pavilion, the main social room was named The Malcolm Room in their honour.
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. Don’s award recognised a lifetime of continuous service to St Mary’s Football Club and Ferndale Park.
Don was well known to all at St Mary’s Salesian as a long-time Gold Saints member. He and his wife Joan, also a Club Life Member, never missed a lunch, and sat among their many friends both old and new.
The St. Mary’s Salesian AFC, Committee, Life Members, Supporters, Players and Past Players extend our sincere condolences to Don’s family, to his wife Joan, and his children and their families, David, Paul, Jeff, Greg and Sue.
FUNERAL DETAILS
The Funeral will be held next Tuesday February 11, 10am at Heritage Funerals, 733 Boronia Rd, Wantirna.
YOUR TRIBUTE
We invite you to leave your tribute to Don Malcolm below, and pass on your thoughts and memories to the family.
Tony and Mary Taylor says
A great man whose legacy will live on. Our thoughts are with the Malcolm family.
Brian Thomas says
To Joan and family I want to pass on my sincere condolences in their loss.
Don was one of the pillars upon which the Club drew the strength and support to survive and grow.
Not many people realised the time and effort that Don with his family put in to our great club.
Thank you Don a friend, a legend, a mainstay.
Rest In Peace, your dream and life’s work is safe and well.
Brian Perry says
Don is a true legend. A great man and a person who I looked up to, who provided me with assistance and advice over many years.
Deepest sympathy to Joan and all the Malcolm family.
Rest In Peace Don
Rhys Livingstone says
Don was an enormous part of the club and will leave a huge hole in the ‘Saints’ family. His tireless work and passion over the years has a massive bearing on why St. Marys is still such a great club. My best wishes & thoughts go out to all the Malcolm family.
Tony and Marg Goldsworthy says
To Joan and Family, our sincere condolences.
Don was a true legend of the club and will be sorely missed.
Tony and Marg
Bill Goodenough says
I knew Don twice during my life , in different ways .
Once both money market dealers in the workforce , did a few transactions together .
Secondly , when I attended St. Mary’s footy games with Ron Redding .
Goes without saying , the man was a legend , he can now Rest in Peace .
John Colliver says
My sincere condolences to Joan and Family.
A tireless worker around the Club, both on and off the field.
He will indeed be sorely missed, but never forgotten.
John Colliver
David Pignolet says
To Joan and family, Don was not only a great supporter of the St Mary’s Salesian Club he was also a supporter of the former Eastern Suburbs Churches Football Association and gave freely of outstanding advice to the Executive of the ESCFA.
David Pignolet
Former Treasurer 1976 – 1981 & Administrator of ESCFA 1981 -1984
Vaughan Ryan says
Don is St Mary’s along with Dave. The way he would give you a reassuring grin as you walked in at half time, the pat on the back or event some advice, through to the constant hard work behind the scenes that most people never saw. He was everything that makes the club such a special place and an even better human being. Huge condolences to his family.
Alastair Dwyer says
A giant of St. Mary’s and always a pleasure to deal with during my playing days. Thoughts go out to the Malcolm family! He will long be remembered at SMS.
Peter Warner says
Don was a wonderful servant of the original St. Mary’s and latterly the SMS Club.
He was my cousin and although my allegiance lay with Old Scotch in the VAFA I constantly sought out the happenings at SMS through Ron Redding.
RIP Don, you have done a mighty job.
My condolences to the Malcolm family.
Joshua Tanner says
A lovely man who loved the SMS community and his legacy will be felt in that community for years to come. Thanks for the player sponsorship Don! Thoughts are with the Malcom family. RIP Don.
Francis Harrison says
a great St Marys man…
Condolences to the family
Stewart Cheal says
Don …One of the first people who made me feel welcome at Ferndale back in 1972. A true ‘Sainter’. He will be missed!
Ron Wilson says
Sad to hear the news of the passing of Don. A great clubman and worker for St Mary’s who will no doubt be sorely missed by all.
A quite and reserved gentleman.
Now joins those other great clubmen in Alby Vickery and Ray Leman.
Condolences to Joan and the family.
Paul Lourey says
Sincere condolences to Dave and the Malcolm family as well as the wider St Marys family. He will be sorely missed.
Dave Gray says
What a terrific tribute Peter to a great Club man. An outstanding person who the Malcolm family will be rightly proud of.
Alan Brown says
Joan and family
I really enjoyed and respected the time we spent together at St Mary’s
He was a great creative thinker always for St Mary’s discussing what can be done to contribute to its continued success both on and off the field.
He will never be forgotten
Anne McKenna says
Condolences to the Malcolm Family, I remember the countless hours Don spent on me getting me able to play in Grand Final, one of nature’s true gentleman and a BIG loss to the club.
Rest peacefully, Rob McKenna
Frankie sadler says
So sad to hear his passing he always looked after us just a great man will always remembered by our club all the best for his family
Fred and Sandie Martello says
Condolences to Joan ,Dave and family a great Clubman and the spirit of StMary,s will be missed greatly
Alan Vickery says
A sad day for St Mary’s – condolences to Joan and family. A gentleman and a club legend.
I have no doubt that he’ll reunite with Albert and Ray to support their beloved Sainters from the other side.
Much love to all of the Malcolm family from the Vickery family.
Phil Ashfield says
Deepest condolences to Joan and the whole Malcolm family who have all been such a huge part of the St Mary’s club. Don’s contribution is truly remarkable and he will be sorely missed.
Geoffrey Mary Lane and family says
Just over two and a half decades ago when Adam joined St.Mary’s Football family I came to watch. I will not forget the warm welcome I received from Club members and in particular from Don. and it has not diminished over the years A drink after the game, the discussion of the game, the thoughts for the future, the pros and cons were always interesting. Unfortunately last years the chats diminished as travel became a problem. I am sure that despite the fact Don will not be there in person his spirit will be. and many fond memories will remain Vale friend. Love and best wishes and kind thoughts and prayers to Joan Dave and the families
Pete mckenna says
Condolences to the Malcolm family. You are all in our thoughts at this sad time. Peter, Sue, Rebecca, David and Jessica McKenna.
Bruce and Jan Burt. says
Condolences to the Malcolm family. A great man, who will be sadly missed. Bruce and Jan Burt.
Adam Lane says
My deepest condolences go out to Joan, Dave and all the Malcolm family on the sad news of Don’s passing. He was truly a wonderful St Marys clubman who did so much for the footy club over a long period of time. My fondest memory of Don was when I started my career back in 1998 he was one of the first people to welcome and make me feel so at home at the club and I will always remember that day. My prayers and wishes go out to all the Malcolm family at this very sad time for all.
Frank O'Rourke says
My condolences to all his family and friends.He was truly a Giant of the footy club.I’m sure if the club had more money he would get a statue in his honour. He made the club what it is today.