But instead of the pointy elbows and fearsome facial expressions that greeted his Rochester opposition during his Bendigo Football League days at Sandhurst and Golden Square, on this occsasion he came bearing gifts.
A life member of Bendigo’s Sportsmen Association of Australia branch, Dickson was accompanied by branch president Daryl Jeffrey and treasurer John Russell to make a $1000 (10 family membership) donation to Rochester Football Netball Club’s My Shout Membership campaign.
Dickson played 73 games for Hawthorn from 1962-66, kicking 31 goals, but was most famous for missing the 1963 grand final after receiving a four-match suspension in the second-last home-and-away game of the season.
He was famously dubbed “Delicate’’ Des by former Collingwood captain and VFL personality Lou ”The Lip’’ Richards.
At the end of the 1966 season, Dickson moved to Wimmera league club Stawell, which had been coached by VFL legend John “Kanga’’ Kennedy, a school teacher in the town at the time.
Dickson coached several Carlton stars of the 1970s and ’80s, including Geoff Southby and modern day under-age football expert Kevin Sheehan.
Bendigo’s Sportsmen’s Association branch was one of two groups to purchase 10 memberships last week, the other being the Rochester Lions club.
Sportsmen’s Association president Daryl Jeffrey said one of the association’s members had been in Rochester with Blaze Aide when he heard about the My Shout program.
“He brought it back to our meeting and we decided to contribute,” Jeffrey said.
He said the group, which started way back in 1965, had a charter of raising money for junior sporting organisations.
“We do a range of events and probably average about $10,000 a year in donations. We have about 100 members,” he said.
Among the founding members was the man the Bendigo Football League’s best-and-fairest medal is named after, former newspaper editor Cyril Michelson. Tom Flood, who has a Bendigo sports ground named in his honour, was also a foundng member.
Every Rochester footballer and netballer will receive free membership, uniforms and insurance this season as a result of the support the club has received through the My Shout Membership campaign.
“The support will be for all junior and senior footballers and netballers,” club president Justin Cleary said.
He said the club would also be supplying an away bus for the under-18 team, again supported by the My Shout Membership drive.
Cleary said the club would this week meet with Campaspe Shire, which had indicated a desire to help co-ordinate several initiatives this season.
“Not everyone is going to the shire for support and this is a way the shire can reach out to the wider commuity,” he said.
Cleary said the club was planning to build some family events around its home games this season.
He said the My Shout campaign had received, and was continuing to attract, overwhelming support.
“Our theme this season is to recover and re-connect. We will ensure the funds are used to facilitate events that build on this theme,” he said.
The My Shout campaign will remain operational until round one, when the Tigers meet Kyabram on Saturday, April 8.
“There will be free entry to home games for every Rochester family for the whole year,” Cleary said.
“And that Kyabram round one game will have some family activities.
"I'd be hoping that there is something exciting — other than the football and netball — at every home game this year.
“We will be able to acheive this with the assistance of the shire, who will be providing some manpower to the club.”
11°C