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The Coon Dog
24-12-2008, 12:06 AM
TCD: Hi Irene & thank you so much for your time.

IC: No worries Barry.

Let’s start at the beginning. How did you come to be a Bulldogs supporter?

Mum barracked for Footscray & Dad barracked for Carlton. They had an agreement that if they had a boy he’d support Carlton & any girls would support Footscray. My sister Judy & I are both mad Bulldogs supporters but for some reason my brother Clive barracked for Richmond.

Where did you grow up?

My parents owned a milk bar in Fitzroy & we lived there until I was 2 years old. We then moved to Altona. For some reason the sea air wasn’t good for my Dad’s health so we moved to Upwey when I was 8 years old.

Did you go to watch the Bulldogs while you lived in Upwey?

My word I did. From the age of 11 I used to regularly travel on the train to watch the boys play. I joined the cheer squad when I was 15. I’d say I went to about 15 games a year.

When I was 18 I bought a car and never missed a game from then on. I used to park in Gordon Street & come in the gates near the scoreboard & I’d sit with my Mum & sister about where the 50 metre line would be today on the ‘Dougie Hawkins Wing’ side of the ground. You would see the same people every week & get to really know them quite well.

I can still remember the day Teddy retired. I jumped the fence after the game & people everywhere were crying. It was as though everyone knew an era was about to finish. I still reckon Teddy should have kept on playing.

Now, not many people know this, but you are very lucky to still be with us, aren’t you?

Yes, my word. I was involved in a very serious car accident on 27th July 1969.

What happened?

I still don’t know to this day. They reckon it might have been sun glare that caused me to drive off the road. All I can remember is braking extremely hard.

I had only been married 8 weeks & lived in Lysterfield. There were many back roads then & I was travelling along one of them when I ran off the road, just missed 3 trees & was thrown from the car. In those days seat belts weren’t compulsory, so I wasn’t wearing one.

Sounds like you were very fortunate.

Yes, had I hit one of those trees I would have been killed. Also, had I not been thrown through the front windscreen I would have been killed as the car was crushed after I was thrown out. Also the car just missed landing on me.

I was lucky that 3 young kids, just 18 or so, saw something shining & came to investigate. They couldn’t believe it when they found me. They wrapped me in a blanket & drove me to the Ferntree Gully Hospital.

I was then transported by ambulance to the Box Hill Hospital. In the ambulance my heart stopped beating, but fortunately the ambulance officers were able to revive me.

Seems like you had unfinished business.

Yes, I firmly believe in fate & it wasn’t my time to go back then.

How long were you in hospital?

I was in a coma for 6 -7 days. They didn’t think I was going to make it & my family were bought in to see me not long after I arrived, thinking it might be the last time they see me. My husband didn’t handle it too well & was in a state of shock seeing me like that. He never really recovered & it ended our marriage.

What were the nature of your injuries?

I had severe head & eye injuries. The micro surgeons operated for 8 hours to save my left eye. I was cut to ribbons by the glass & had many severe lacerations on my legs, including a gaping hole where the racing mirror sliced into me. I was fortunate that I was wearing a red, white & blue jacket which was absolutely shredded. I had 200 stitches in my head which was caused by the rear vision mirror & 400 stitches in total. At the time the local paper reported that I was dead.

Irene, I knew you had a car accident, but never realised the extent. You were very fortunate in a number of respects. I bet you thanked those 3 teens when you recovered.

You know, they dropped me off & left. They didn’t want any publicity. I tried to track them down to say thank you. I put ads in the local papers but couldn’t find them About a year later I was in a cake shop & talking to the lady serving me saying how I wanted to find the boys & thank them. Would you believe the Mother of one of those boys was behind me in the queue waiting to be served. I at least got to say thank you.

Let’s get onto matters footy, tell me how you got involved in the fightback of 1989.

I was at home minding a friend’s young son. At the time I was in the kitchen doing the dishes when he screamed out that there was something on the telly about Footscray & Fitzroy merging. I thought this was bullcrap; Nick Columb had recently assured the supporters about the club’s future.

I didn’t sleep at all that night. First thing next morning I got on the phone & started ringing talkback radio. None of them wanted to know me except for Neil Mitchell’s producer, Clark Forbes. He picked up the passion in my voice & said he would call back at 8.30am & put me on the air with Neil. I remember telling supporters to leave their jobs & get down to the club & protest to save the club.

After I got off the radio I headed straight down to the club & there were people everywhere crying & chanting. Some even left & went to VFL house to protest.

I kept up a constant vigil at the club in the ‘pink room’ at the Social Club.

I noticed a group of men in suits talking with Dennis Galimberti & asked my friend Carol Lidell who they were? I just knew they had to be lawyers.

Did they approach you?

Yes, they wanted to know if I was a member of the club. I said ‘is the Pope a Catholic? Of course I’m a member.’

One of the men, Stephen Palmer said that he believed he’d found a loophole that allowed a member to challenge the VFL’s decision if members hadn’t been informed beforehand.

At first I thought it only needed me to go into Slater & Gordon’s office in Footscray & sign some forms. I was dressed in jeans & hadn’t done my hair so I got the shock of my life when they told me I was going to court. I was petrified as I hadn’t been to a court since my divorce & it was only a little one, not the Supreme Court.

Did you understand all the legal jargon?

No, not initially, as I said I thought I was only signing forms. Anyhow they eventually told me that if I lose the court case I’d have to pay the legal costs & the forms I signed were to hand over my assets if we lost.

A lot of people seemed to think I would lose my house if we lost. This isn’t true as I didn’t have a house. If I lost I was going to lose my Superannuation Life Insurance, my car & possessions.

Did that worry you?

Hell yeah! But I though what the hell! I’m a battler & my club is a battling club, I can always start over again.

The judge was good & didn’t follow football so he couldn’t be swayed with his love of one club or another. Anyhow he asked us to return the following day, so I dressed appropriately & had my hair done.

In the afternoon the judge said we had 21 days to raise $1.25M. I thought to myself ‘this will be a piece of cake’.

Jo Hall from channel 9 bailed me up for an interview as I left court & I headed straight to Footscray. Neil Mitchell was there I put me to air where I was able to encourage people to come to the rally on the Sunday & bring as much money as they could.

Did you think we’d get so many people to the rally & raise so much money?

I didn’t really know what to expect to be truthful. I thought we might get a decent crowd, but nowhere near what we got & my God I’ve never seen so much money in all my life.

I knew then that we’d win.

Who did you find out we’d eventually won?

I got a telephone call from Dennis Galimberti who told me Peter Gordon had been contacted by Ross Oakley & told him we had raised the money.

How did you receive the news?

How do you reckon? I balled my eyes out. Not long after Rob Astbury from channel 10 news came to my house. He took one look at me & said, ‘you know, don’t you?’ He was wonderful to me that night, I know he has done the wrong thing in the past with other people, but we was truly wonderful to me that night.

Do opposition supporters recognise you at the football?

Yes, all the time. Nearly all of them are positive in their comments to me & say that what I did back in 1989 helped all Melbourne clubs survive, not just Footscray & you know what? I truly believe that.

Now, I’m going to ask a stupid question as I know if I don’t stop you, I could be here all night. But who are some of your favourite players, in no particular order?

• Doug Hawkins – I just love Dougie. He’s the ant’s pants. He’s always got time for a chat & goes out of his way to help. He always thanks me for what I did back in 1989, especially if he’s had a few drinks.
• Leon Cameron – A thorough gentleman at all times. He’s so friendly & nothing’s too much trouble.
• Daniel Giansiracusa – A young guy with a big future & treats people with the utmost respect.
• John Schultz – Like me, he just loves this club. Nothing’s too much trouble for him & he’s always around the place. A real gentleman.
• Jim Edmond – He’s so thankful for what I did & always reminds me. Very polite too.
• Ted Whitten – A star! A legend. I remember when I was awarded the #1 female ticketholder down at the Williamstown ground he gave me a wink, shook my hand (nearly broke it too) & said, ‘welcome to the club’.
• Ian Bryant – A really nice man & always spoke to the supporters.
• Kelvin Templeton – A very smart man & a champion player who could do it all, like he did that day against St.Kilda when he kicked 15 goals.
• Scott Wynd – Another true gentleman. Nothing’s too much trouble & he always helps out when he can.
• Steve Wallis – A great guy. I love Wally, he’d do anything for you & he’s just so polite.
• Tony Liberatore – I was babysitting Dennis Galimberti’ s children the night Tony won the Brownlow. Dennis & his wife came home & Dennis took me back to party with the boys. Tony came up to me & apologised to me as he’d forgotten to thank me in his victory speech. That meant a lot to me. I wish Tony success, but wish he didn’t say bad things about the club.
• Brad Johnson – Johnno’s a bit like me. Happy all the time, a smiley little person.
• Chris Grant – A star on & off the field. You know, if he was out there this year, we might have won the Premiership.

Anymore? Just kidding! Now, another highlight for you; congratulations of being awarded Life Membership last Thursday at the AGM.

Thank you, it was a real honour. I received a letter from Cam Rose saying that the board wished to honour me with Life Membership & could I make it to the AGM?

I bet you cried when you got the letter.

Yup, balled my eyes out, then put the letter in a frame & went to the club to show the Admin Staff & let them know, ‘hell yeah, I’ll be there.’

That must have been a wonderful night for you.

It was, not only to receive a wonderful framed certificate, but to hear David Smorgon say so many nice things was terrific, but you know what really made the night special?

No, what?

Afterwards Daniel Cross came up to me & said ‘congratulations, it was well deserved & the players appreciate what you did’. He didn’t have to say that, but he did & I’ll never forget that.

Before we finish, look into your crystal ball & tell me what you see for 2009.

Well, the younger players will step up, so will the senior players & I truly believe we’ll win the Grand Final.

I hope so.

Me too.

Thanks Irene, it was nice to chat with you & it was an honour for me to be at the AGM to see you receive your Life Membership.

Thank you & I was so pleased that you were able to make it.

I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.

mjp
24-12-2008, 09:22 AM
Thanks Barry.

LostDoggy
24-12-2008, 09:24 AM
Awesome work Baz, interesting stuff

Go_Dogs
24-12-2008, 09:54 AM
Terrific read, thank you very much TCD.

Sockeye Salmon
24-12-2008, 10:39 AM
Funnily enough, that's probably the best one you've done yet.

LostDoggy
24-12-2008, 12:21 PM
I concur SS. It was a good read.

FrediKanoute
24-12-2008, 12:39 PM
Thanks Barry. Has brought a tear to the eye!

Desipura
24-12-2008, 01:25 PM
I must really get emotionally this time of year, that bought a tear to my eye.

LostDoggy
24-12-2008, 01:27 PM
Best thing that I have read in weeks.

aker39
24-12-2008, 04:07 PM
I've really enjoyed your interviews with the players TCD, but I think this is even better than any of them. Her passion for the club really comes through.

I think it's probably because we can all associate with Irene and realise that she is hugely responsible for our club still being here today.

Douggie Hawkins
24-12-2008, 10:48 PM
well done Barry.......She is a living Icon of our club...great interview........Loved it !

LostDoggy
24-12-2008, 11:15 PM
Thanks TCD for a great interview (as usual), and thanks to a great lady for providing such interesting reading.

Mofra
25-12-2008, 09:38 AM
Nice to hear that people who make massive changes to the future of the club at grassroots level are rewarded & not forgotten.

My opinion on Crossy being perhaps a future captain hasn't changed either after reading the article. IMO any captain of the club shouldn't just be a high profile player; there should be a sense of history accompanying the position.

westdog54
25-12-2008, 07:11 PM
wow...

Max469
26-12-2008, 06:08 PM
Thanks - the best yet

GetDimmaBack
26-12-2008, 06:13 PM
Teriffic read, TCD.
I thought Irene was acting on behalf of the club - I didn't realise she stood to lose so much.
Even more heroic than I figured...

Scraggers
27-12-2008, 03:18 AM
I love reading your interviews TCD ... I agree with SS (and others) this is your best yet

KT31
28-12-2008, 12:16 AM
Well done again TCD.
Great interview and Irene truly deserved life membership years ago.

LostDoggy
28-12-2008, 12:38 AM
Thanks TCD, I agree with the others it has been one of the most interesting interviews. Irene Chatfield is an amazing lady and a great woman of football.

Thanks for taking the time to do all these interviews Coondog - it really makes me appreciate more what a great club I support and feel a part of.

LostDoggy
28-12-2008, 02:38 PM
Great work TCD, what a remarkable story, Irene is an inspiration to us all. :)

LostDoggy
30-12-2008, 09:07 AM
Teriffic read, TCD.
I thought Irene was acting on behalf of the club - I didn't realise she stood to lose so much.
Even more heroic than I figured...

Superannuation and insurance are exempt from creditors and there is a minimum value level on personal items, it's around $4,000.00 on cars now. A cost award against Irene would not have been able to be recovered and I doubt the VFL would have chased her anyway - imagine the outcry, even Oakley wouldn't have risked that. I have no doubt that that was the very reason that Stephen Palmer, Dennis Galimberti, Peter Gordon & co would have invited Irene to be the club member applicant. That said, though, it's remarkably brave thing to do, to go on the record in a Supreme Court action, TV cameras, journalists etc. and the fact that Irene believes that her assets were at risk says it all. Nick Columb agreed to the merger for just the same reason, his assets and those of other directors, former directors, even club supporters who had not been directors, Kevin Spurling was one, from memory, were at risk if the club folded. We all love the club but nobody should be asked to put his/her assets on the line. They were heady times.

BornInDroopSt'54
17-03-2009, 01:56 PM
It is great to have the opportunity to read the interview, and great for the club to have such a historical text. Come the moment, come the woman. Such a chance opportunity that she happened to be there when the lawyers needed a member, and that it was fighting, loyal, selfless and committed Irene who happened to be that memeber. She was able to rally people and field the media and the audience of Australia, with no previous experience or skills other than what her passion and character gave her.

Webby
03-03-2017, 06:15 PM
Just saw Irene Chatfield on the news re that grandmother who was allegedly shot in the chest by her son in Glenroy overnight. Seems Irene is a neighbour. She was just doing the typical "It's shocking to hear. It's a quiet street" sound byte to the media.

Or at least it was someone who looked and sounded identical to Irene. Didn't know she was from Glenroy. Just assumed she lived around Footscray.

bornadog
03-03-2017, 07:34 PM
Just saw Irene Chatfield on the news re that grandmother who was allegedly shot in the chest by her son in Glenroy overnight. Seems Irene is a neighbour. She was just doing the typical "It's shocking to hear. It's a quiet street" sound byte to the media.

Or at least it was someone who looked and sounded identical to Irene. Didn't know she was from Glenroy. Just assumed she lived around Footscray.
yes it was Irene. The woman shot is linked to the underworld through her sons

Eastdog
03-03-2017, 07:38 PM
Yes I remember in 2011 I think it was another incident in Glenroy and Irene was on the news.

Eastdog
03-03-2017, 07:43 PM
Just saw Irene Chatfield on the news re that grandmother who was allegedly shot in the chest by her son in Glenroy overnight. Seems Irene is a neighbour. She was just doing the typical "It's shocking to hear. It's a quiet street" sound byte to the media.

Or at least it was someone who looked and sounded identical to Irene. Didn't know she was from Glenroy. Just assumed she lived around Footscray.

From the interview TCD conducted in the opening post with Irene she grew around Upwey in the outer eastern suburbs.

Webby
03-03-2017, 09:47 PM
yes it was Irene. The woman shot is linked to the underworld through her sons

Yes, sorry, it was THROUGH her son, not BY her son as I wrote....
I was more focused on Irene than the story, itself. Seems there are a fair bit of shenanigans going on, there..

Webby
03-03-2017, 09:56 PM
From the interview TCD conducted in the opening post with Irene she grew around Upwey in the outer eastern suburbs.

Yeah, I'd never actually read the interview. I just needed to find somewhere to post the "Irene's on the telly!" thing, so thought it the best thread. I've had a read of it, now.

I'm actually fascinated to know more about Stephen Palmer. I believe he's a very cluey barrister, son of "Mr Footscray" - Ron Palmer, and great nephew or cousin or something of former player and champion boxer, Ambrose Palmer.

He was the one who seems to have identified the opportunity for the legal challenge (using Irene as the face) and getting the injunction to allow the 21 days to raise the $1.25M.

I know PG and Irene were the face of the fight back, but Stephen Palmer seems to have actually provided most of the legal clout. Does anyone know him or know of him? Seems he's due a bit more credit.

Twodogs
04-03-2017, 05:25 AM
I can remember Steve and Ron very well. Ron was involved in the local branches of the ALP. Interesting bloke.

bornadog
27-06-2019, 09:19 AM
Bump

A good read for those new to the forum

Eastdog
27-06-2019, 11:59 AM
Bump

A good read for those new to the forum

Great idea BAD. Yep important for new woofers and in particular younger Bulldog fans to learn about the history/struggle.

AshMac
28-06-2019, 08:42 AM
Great read.