An undoubted highlight of the wide range of club functions held recently was the Norm Smith Oration on June 8, with more than 400 members and guests packed into the Members Dining Room for the MCC’s premier football function.

They were treated to passionate and thought-provoking addresses on football by Governor of Victoria, The Hon Linda Dessau, and Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson.

In her toast to football, which she described as “the game I’ve loved since, well, forever”, Governor Dessau, a former AFL commissioner, opened by reminiscing about her childhood dream to play for Essendon.

“Obviously in the ruck,” she drily observed in reference to her lack of height.

She spoke of her knowledge of some of football distinct personalities and was more than happy to reel off her understanding of some of the clubs’ Latin mottos. Richmond’s ‘eat ‘em alive’ - translated into English as ‘I might just have a little nibble’ – brought much laughter to the room.

Admitting that a lot of what she knows about football came from Kevin Sheedy, she said most importantly she learnt that the game belongs to everyone.

“Football is something very dear to many people,” she said. “That oval ball and oval field of play do bring us together. They can absolutely unite us, even when tribal loyalties drive us apart.”

Before raising her glass to toast football, the Governor highlighted that football mirrors life and the way it gives back in kind, allowing all who follow to have a sense of belonging, joined by a common love and a common family, the football family.

In his response Clarkson opened by listing defining features of Australian football he argued must be zealously preserved. Among them, he included the bounce, the oval ball and the ability of players to tackle each other from any angle.

Clarkson pointed out that AFL is a very complex game and detailed his observations of world sports such as basketball and soccer and how they evolve through tactics, culture and values.

“Australian football is played on the biggest surface of any ballistic ball sport in world, over the longest period of time and with the most number of participants on field at any time,” he said. “I have travelled the world and seen a lot of great sport, but I’m yet to see a game as great as Australian football.”

Alastair spoke passionately about why we need to preserve the bounce, the tackle, the grass roots areas and the gems of the game, believing that the best pathway to do this is nurturing and developing talent from a young age. He also addressed the medical situation confronting one of his own players, Jarryd Roughead, and how the AFL community comes together when teammates are in need.

Back in March, the footy season was kicked off with the annual MCG Footy Season Launch Luncheon on March 23. Compere Tim Lane drew some insightful responses from St Kida development coach, Peta Searle, before steering a panel comprising Saints captain Nick Riewoldt and Western Bulldogs skipper Robert Murphy through the game’s big issues.

Two weeks earlier, the Members Dining Room hosted the annual Comedy Blockbuster at the ‘G on March 10. After pre-drinks and dinner in the Hugh Trumble Cafe, members and guests were entertained by a top-class lineup of comedians, including Dave O’Neil, Denise Scott, Jeff Green and Tommy Little.

At the conclusion of the comedy lineup, everyone moved into the Percy Beames Bar where they could grab a drink and be entertained with live music - a great way to end a fabulous night of entertainment.

A full house also attended the year’s first Comedy @ the ‘G event on May 14 in the lead up to the Richmond v Sydney Swans match. Sami Shah kicked off the evening with hilarious tales of his time as a comedian in Pakistan and the reality of his new life in the small regional town of Northam in Western Australia. He was followed by the talented Daniel Connell before Showko, the 'made in Japan' comedian, wowed the audience with her ventriloquy.

The Young Members’ Anzac Ball was again held on April 23, due to the Melbourne v Richmond AFL match being played at the MCG on Anzac Eve, with plenty of good times and dancing in the Members Dining Room. Plans are also in place for the next young members’ ball, to be held on September 3.

While the on-field results on either day didn’t go the Demons’ way, there was much enjoyment among MFC/MCC dual members at game day functions on April 2 (vs Essendon) and June 4 (vs Hawthorn). The functions feature lunch or dinner with afternoon tea or supper, pre-match drinks and MFC past and present player appearances. Former Demons Paul Hopgood and Chris Heffernan were just some of those who were grilled on stage by fellow Demon Russell Robertson at these events.

On May 29, the Women of MCC special interest group hosted its annual Women in Football event in the Committee Room, prior to the Collingwood v Western Bulldogs match. The packed room heard plenty of insights from Richmond president Peggy O’Neal, while an auction during the day raised funds for the Lord’s Taverners to assist young and disadvantaged girls pursue their sporting interests.

Finally, about 160 members and guests savoured the culinary offerings from talented chef, Adam D’Sylva, and his team at the Celebrity Chef Long Room Dinner on July 14. They were most impressed.