Archives – Collingwood Forever

Murray Swinton’s scrapbooks come to Collingwood

Michael Roberts — Thu, 18 Apr 2019 04:45:07 +0000

Just a few of Murray Swinton’s scrapbooks

One of the most touching stories of 2018 was that of Murray Swinton, the former firefighter who was suddenly struck down with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

A lifelong Collingwood supporter, Murray’s story became a big part of last year’s Queens Birthday game against Melbourne and the associated ‘Big Freeze’ day. He addressed the players and coaching staff and became an inspiration to many of them: coach Nathan Buckley even wore Murray’s firefighting helmet and gear when he went down the slide into the giant ice bath.

Sadly, Murray lost his battle with MND late in the year. But his wife Tracie, and the rest of the Swinton family, have donated Murray’s collection of Collingwood memorabilia to us. The highlight is an extraordinary run of scrapbooks that Murray kept every year from the mid-1970s. Meticulously maintained and lovingly detailed, the scrapbooks were Murray’s pride and joy.

Tracie said there was only ever one place that the scrapbooks were going to end up.

“Murray just loved Collingwood, and he loved the idea that the scrapbooks he put so much passion and work into would be at the club forever,” she said.

“He started them when he was just a boy, but that childhood bit of fun became a lifelong obsession. It’s so great that they’ll be of use to others now.

“Murray drew great strength from being side by side with Collingwood last year. It was something he never dreamt could have happened, but I know he cherished it until the very end. So I’m glad he’s still going to be connected to the club in some way.”

The club’s History and Archives Manager, Michael Roberts, welcomed the donation and said the scrapbooks were a treasure trove of information.

“They will, of course, be a wonderful reference resource for generations to come,” he said.

“But more than that, they will also stand as a lasting testament to one man’s great passion for, and devotion to, the Collingwood Football Club. We’re proud to have them.”

If you have anything you’d like to donate to the club, please contact our Archives team on archives@collingwoodfc.com.au

Magpie memorabilia comes home to Collingwood

Michael Roberts — Fri, 20 Apr 2018 05:26:23 +0000

The Collingwood Football Club has been lucky enough to receive a number of important donations recently, including one of Marcus Whelan’s Premiership medals. Whelan’s 1936 Premiership medal and the Life Membership medallion he was awarded in 1945 were both recently given to the club by one of his grandsons, Daniel Whelan. Also included amongst the items was a silver coffee pot given to Marcus by the club on the occasion of his wedding in 1939. The items have now been ‘reunited’ with Marcus’s 1939 Brownlow Medal, which came back to the club several years ago. “My family and I never had any doubts where the medals awarded to my grandfather would eventually reside,” said Daniel. “It is an honour to him and to us to see them restored to his and our beloved club, Collingwood.” The club’s History & Archives Manager, Michael Roberts, said items belonging to Brownlow Medallists held a particularly special place in Collingwood history. “We’ve only had nine players win the Brownlow, so it’s elite company,” he said. “We didn’t have much on Marcus, other than the medal itself, so to get these items from the family is a wonderful bonus. We can’t thank Daniel and his family enough.” But that isn’t all the club’s Archives Committee have received recently on the club’s behalf. Diana Johnstone, the daughter of the former Cheer Squad President, Kath Johnstone, donated several boxes of fan-related memorabilia, as did Nick Levy, the son of former Archives chairman Wayne Levy. Plus former cheer squad members John Jackson, Robert Lonsdale, Wayne Moloney and Gary Rodwell also donated boxes of wonderful old photos and fan memorabilia. The club thanks everyone who has donated items. If you’ve got anything old and interesting lying around that you’d like to make part of the Collingwood collection, contact our Archives team at archives@collingwoodfc.com.au or club historian Michael Roberts on forever@collingwoodfc.com.au

We’re Looking for Magpie Relics

Michael Roberts — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 01:06:22 +0000

The Collingwood Football Club has a wonderful collection of historical items in its archives – but we’re looking for more. The club’s collection has grown significantly in recent years, but we’re always on the lookout for more items to add to it. We’ll take just about anything to do with the club and its history – jumpers, trophies, photographs, publications, seasons tickets, letters & documents, badges/medallions, supporter souvenirs and all other ephemera. We’re particularly keen to hear from former players and officials who might have kept items not normally available to the public, or which have come from the ‘inner sanctum’. Even if you don’t want to donate it to us, sometimes a copy can suffice, or even just knowing that the item exists, so that we might be able to access it if needed. So in short, if you have anything old and interesting that relates to the Collingwood Football Club or its players, please get in touch with us and let us know what you have. Send basic details, and photos if possible, to forever@collingwoodfc.com.au Together, our aim is to build the biggest and most exceptional single-club collection in Australian sport. We hope you can help!

Machine Medals Donated

Michael Roberts — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 00:05:20 +0000

The four Premiership medals won by ruckman/forward Bob Makeham in the famous Machine team triumphs of 1927-30 have been donated back to the club. The four medals, together with Makeham’s Collingwood Life Membership medallions, were given to the club by Bob’s descendants. Bob’s great nephew, Paul Makeham, said: “We’re proud of Bob and everything he achieved at Collingwood. And we’re thrilled that his Premiership medals are now back at the club where they belong, so everyone can enjoy them and remember him as the great player he was.” Collingwood’s History and Archives Manager, Michael Roberts, said it was an extremely rare collection of medals. “Only 12 players took part in all of the legendary four-in-a-row Premierships, so it’s an amazing opportunity to get all four belonging to the one player,” he said. “We can’t thank the Makeham family enough for this wonderful donation. The medals will be a prized part of our collection.”

Bob Makeham snaps a goal during the 1928 second semi-final against Melbourne.

Makeham was one of the unsung heroes of the Machine team era. Although not enjoying the profile of players like the Coventrys and Colliers, he was a vital cog and ever-present member of the line-up. He missed only two games across the four years (other than when he was playing for Victoria), was among the best players in 1927 and just about best-on-ground in 1930’s miraculous come-from-behind victory. He also played in the losing grand finals of 1925 and 1926. If you have any items you’d like to donate to the Collingwood Archives, email archives@collingwoodfc.com.au or phone 03 9415 9250