THE DENIS Cordner family received an email from another family member sometime early in 2009.
It was in reference to an acquaintance in northern Victoria who had contacted her.
This acquaintance had been asked by a third person, also residing in country Victoria, if he knew anyone in the Denis Cordner family, because he thought he had something that belonged to them.
It had been in his garage for quite a number of years, and it wasn’t until he’d seen the publicity in regards to the death of Dr Donald Cordner, that he remembered that he had it.
It was indeed the Bluey Truscott trophy awarded to Denis Cordner in 1950.
After subsequent contact and further emails the trophy was transported to Melbourne and found its way into the hands of Lynette Simms and Sally Cordner (Denis’ daughters) who were absolutely delighted to have received such a trophy so long in the wilderness!
It has been sitting with pride on a shelf in Sally’s house ever since to be admired by all visitors.
The question to be asked though ‘How did it end up after all this time in country Victoria?’
This question was explored by many theories from family members who indeed hadn’t a clue, until a senior family member recalled taking a box of silverware to a local white elephant stall during a spring clean many decades ago.
It is possible that this particular trophy may well have been in this box of silverware and began its journey from the mentioned white elephant stall.
Of course this created a lot of hilarity within the family.
‘Ensuing discussions followed and we wondered why our father may have discarded this special piece of silverware and indeed a prestigious award,’ Sally said.
‘We came to the conclusion that our father’s generation (he played as an amateur) perhaps didn’t place importance on these awards in order to draw attention to themselves.
‘Rather, they played for the love of the game, the mateship and of course a passion for winning as a team.’
It was decided by Denis’ daughters to donate the trophy to the Melbourne Football Club as a mark of how much the club has meant to theirs and the extended Cordner family over indeed many generations and more to come of course!
It was in reference to an acquaintance in northern Victoria who had contacted her.
This acquaintance had been asked by a third person, also residing in country Victoria, if he knew anyone in the Denis Cordner family, because he thought he had something that belonged to them.
It had been in his garage for quite a number of years, and it wasn’t until he’d seen the publicity in regards to the death of Dr Donald Cordner, that he remembered that he had it.
It was indeed the Bluey Truscott trophy awarded to Denis Cordner in 1950.
After subsequent contact and further emails the trophy was transported to Melbourne and found its way into the hands of Lynette Simms and Sally Cordner (Denis’ daughters) who were absolutely delighted to have received such a trophy so long in the wilderness!
It has been sitting with pride on a shelf in Sally’s house ever since to be admired by all visitors.
The question to be asked though ‘How did it end up after all this time in country Victoria?’
This question was explored by many theories from family members who indeed hadn’t a clue, until a senior family member recalled taking a box of silverware to a local white elephant stall during a spring clean many decades ago.
It is possible that this particular trophy may well have been in this box of silverware and began its journey from the mentioned white elephant stall.
Of course this created a lot of hilarity within the family.
‘Ensuing discussions followed and we wondered why our father may have discarded this special piece of silverware and indeed a prestigious award,’ Sally said.
‘We came to the conclusion that our father’s generation (he played as an amateur) perhaps didn’t place importance on these awards in order to draw attention to themselves.
‘Rather, they played for the love of the game, the mateship and of course a passion for winning as a team.’
It was decided by Denis’ daughters to donate the trophy to the Melbourne Football Club as a mark of how much the club has meant to theirs and the extended Cordner family over indeed many generations and more to come of course!
