When George Lenne celebrated his 91st birthday in February, there was nowhere he would rather have been than in amongst his beloved Melbourne Football Club. And the best way to appreciate that? Attend training at Sandringham.
George, who played 21 games for Melbourne between 1941 and 1942, and in 1945 – his career being split by wartime service in the RAAF - was accompanied by wife Marj and son Stuart. Both have the Club at their heart as much as George, with Stuart having played to Reserves level, and Marj being deeply involved in Social Committee matters for many decades. To add to the family connection, Stuart’s sister Jan married Melbourne Under 19s player, Ian Hunter. George, made a Life Member in 1965, also maintained an involvement in the Club after his playing days were over, including serving on the Board in the early 1970s.
The Lenne story is one of ongoing commitment to the red and blue cause, with many strong connections and an abiding love of the Club. It has always been, as Marj Lenne says ‘a big family’. Here are the days of home dinners involving greats such as Wells and Thorogood, of escapades involving Norm Smith at his irascible best, and even on-ground amusement in the days of Ian Ridley’s coaching. For it was then, as both George and Marj recalled, that George Bell, Melbourne’s revered time keeper, was persuaded to ‘fix the time to stop Ian talking!’ It was a task with a hidden motive. George (Lenne) was team manager, and ‘he had to pay a fine for a late start!’ Both laughed with amusement, living memories anew, recalling ‘Checker’ Hughes being a ‘really good coach’ back in the 1930s and 1940s, remembering more than one Melbourne team winning a premiership in 1956, and treasuring the family that is their Melbourne Football Club.
And it continues to be so. As the sprints continued out on the oval, the noise so familiar and welcome, George, Marj and Stuart sat in the stand, replete with the history of Melbourne. Marj had the ‘Certificate of Merit’ presented to her in the 1980s by then President, Stuart Spencer, and George, who wore No. 13, revelled in the chance to chat to present players. Russell Robertson delighted the entire family, and Travis Johnstone provided the real highlight for George, in a conversation that was relived for weeks following.
As the session wound up, George, Marj and Stuart left Sandringham with another collection of memories and stories that are part of the heart of Melbourne. But their ties to, and connection with the Melbourne Football Club look set to continue well into the 2007 season. George is the Club’s oldest living former director, having served from 1970 to 1974, and he and Marj will be guests of CEO Steve Harris at the upcoming match against the Kangaroos in Round Nine.
