The Chairman of the Club, Mr J.C. Blair, also the General Manager of the Vacuum Oil Company co-opted Mr R.B. Hogg, Managing Director of James Miller Pty Ltd and together they sought to form a Coterie of business men. Mr J.W. Saunders and Dr Arch Aitken joined as founding members. The numbers were restricted to no more than 20 members initially; careful selection was exercised in the invitation to join Coterie, and members were sought amongst those who could contribute most to assist with player welfare.
In 1937, Coterie was formally started with Mr J.W. Saunders as Chairman and Mr Arthur King as Secretary, and they carried out their positions for over 25 years.
The main objectives of Coterie were to provide player assistance and employment, and raise money for the MFC. Over the years, many players were materially assisted, initially in business by Coterie. Today, Coterie contributes financially a substantial amount to the MFC each year.
Coterie has enjoyed a close relationship with the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) over the years, and in the mid 1970s, the MCC provided facilities for Coterie’s use, which was then the old gymnasium, located under the Long Room. This room was transformed by Coterie members who raised funds, and fitted out the room.
In 1992, President of the MCC, Don Cordner, offered Coterie the exclusive use of the magnificent facilities of the Betty Cuthbert Room adjacent to the MCC in the Olympic Stand. Importantly, this included all finals played at the MCG allowing Coterie’s fundraising to dramatically increase.
Late in 2005, President of the MCC, David Jones offered Coterie the Hans Ebeling Room in the MCC for use for home games and finals matches at the MCG. We are eternally grateful to David and the MCC for recognising Coterie’s history and its commitment to the MFC.
Coterie has been the major support group to the MFC for 70 years, and has initiated many fund-raising activities including the Banquet Auction, and the Players and Brownlow Calcuttas. With our first class MCC facility we expect fund-raising to recover quickly and to surpass previous efforts in the next few years.
