SERVANTS OF THE CENTURY
CHARLIE CALLANDER
Callander's career as the Club's Property Steward, and later as Property Consultant, spanned an amazing 63 years. He started in 1924, which was seven years before Jack Dyer debuted, and finished in 1986 - 37 years after Captain Blood retired! He also served on Richmond's committee from 1945-74; was made a Life Member in 1941, and was an inaugural Tiger Hall of Fame inductee.
CHARLIE PRIESTLEY
Priestley gave 54 years of consecutive service to Richmond. He played 102 games with the Club from 1938-47, then served for 36 years as a Board member, with one of his main roles being as chairman of selectors for several seasons. Priestley also was heavily involved with the organisation of Richmond's social activities... he simply loved the Club. .
RAY DUNN
As Richmond's president from 1964-71, Dunn oversaw the move of home games to the MCG, the appointment of Tommy Hafey as coach, the drought-breaking '67 premiership, and the subsequent 1969 flag. As a lawyer, he was widely respected and, clearly, his legal advice and negotiating skills were key drivers in the success of the Club during his time at the helm.
ALAN SCHWAB
Graeme Richmond described him as "the last of the great administrators"... In his eight years of service, Alan Schwab certainly left an indelible mark at Tigerland. Schwab oversaw the 1969, 1973' and 1974 premierships. He was a passionate administrator, knowledgeable and wise, with a keen eye for young football talent, and helped keep Richmond as a pacesetter in the competition.
ALLAN COOKE
Kicked off his career with Richmond by winning the under 19s Best and Fairest as a 17-year-old, and10 years later, he took out the reserves Best and Fairest in his final playing season. All-up, Cooke played a decade of senior football at Tigerland, from 1949-58. In 1969, he was appointed the Club’s chairman of selectors - a position he held until the mid-1980s.
MAURIE FLEMING
As Club secretary throughout the 1940s and into the 50s, Fleming recruited the likes of Tommy Hafey, Neville Crowe, Des Rowe, Allan Cooke, Les Flintoff and Bill Barrot to Tigerland. He was conscientious, hard working and entirely committed to the Club, but preferred to keep a low profile. Fleming later had a stint as the Tigers' president.
NEVILLE CROWE
Crowe carved out an illustrious playing career, from 1957-67, captaining the Club for three years and winning three Best and Fairests. Then, in 1987, 'Crowey’ was appointed the Tigers' president, and three years later he became the public face of the 'Save Our Skins' campaign, which raised more than $1 million in just a few weeks to stave off the threat of extinction. .
ALICE WILLS
Alice Wills' voluntary contribution to Tigerland for nearly 50 years is unmatched. In the early 1960s she was given responsibility for the formation of the Club's cheer squad. Alice then set up the Supporters' Group - an organisation she still looks after today, which provides fund-raising. In 1988, she became the first, and still to this day, sole female recipient of RFC Life Membership.
IAN WILSON
Wilson joined Richmond's committee in 1967, had a stint as the reserve-grade manager, ending the 1960s as the Club's vice-president. At the end of 1973, he took over the presidency oversaw the '74 and 1980 premierships. Wilson was renowned as a trailblazer, visionary and innovator and he formed a great partnership with his old schoolmate, Graeme Richmond.
GRAEME RICHMOND
Graeme Richmond filled a variety of important roles at Tigerland over more than 30 years of devoted service. He was a shrewd, ruthless administrator, who never wasted an opportunity that could benefit his beloved Tigers. His strength lay in his relentless persuasiveness – he was a masterly recruiter and negotiator. And, as a speaker, arguably there have been none finer in league football history.
