Jack played his first senior game of football in the 1930s and has been involved in either playing or administration for over 50 years. Born in Queanbeyan in 1917, he began playing junior football in 1929 when he represented Canberra in a schools team. He then played junior football with Manuka and St Christopher’s until 1933 when he graduated to senior ranks.
Jack played football for Manuka for 20 years and was a regular representative player over that time. He played 261 games for Manuka and 18 representative matches for a total of 234 games. Jack played with Manuka until he was 37 and was Captain-Coach in 1946-47 and 51-53. He won the Club’s Best and Fairest four times, the ACT Australian Football League’s Best and Fairest Award, the Mulrooney Medal in 1938 and was runner-up for this award in
- He also won the Canberra Times Award for Best and Fairest in 1940.
Jack’s administrative ability matched his playing skill. A Life Member of Manuka he occupied every executive position, including Committee Secretary, Social Secretary, Selector, and Treasurer. He was President from 1954-57 and again from 1962-68 as well as being the Club Patron. Jack was a long- standing worker for the ACT Australian Football League. He was Vice-President in 1959, 64 and 68 and a delegate for Manuka for 14 years. Jack was President of the ACTAFL from 1969 until 1977.
Often controversial Jack was determined to see Australian Football advance in the face of competition from other codes. Jack was a member of the historic zoning committee that introduced district football in Canberra in 1969. Jack was also coach of the ACT representative team for two years and manager for another two. In 1960, Jack was awarded the highest possible award in the ACT Australian Football circles, Life Membership. From
1964 until 1977 Jack was delegate to the Australian National Football Council. In 1975 Jack was given one of the Australian Football’s highest honours when he was elected a Life Member. In 1980 Jack was awarded an MBE for his services to sport and the community.
AFL
Born: 9 May 1917
Deceased: 24th April 2011
Inducted: 1997
Associate Member