The Melbourne Cricket Club is delighted to release its first book under the Club’s Publishing Support Program, Chadwick: A Man of Many Parts, the first-ever detailed biography on former MCC President, Sir Albert Chadwick.
Authored by Nick Richardson (The Game of their Lives), with the foreword by MCC President, Michael Happell, the publication covers various aspects of the life of Chadwick.
His rich life’s tapestry included being Melbourne Football Club’s first-ever Premiership captain-coach, an integral member of the Australian Flying Corps in World War One, a prominent business man and sports administrator, alongside serving the Club as President from 1965-1979.
BUY NOW: Chadwick: A Man of Many Parts available at the MCG Shop
Following Chadwick’s personal papers being donated by his family to the Club, Richardson embarked on researching and documenting the full life span of Chadwick, from his birth in the north-east Victorian town of Tungamah, through to his contributions to Victoria and Australia across sport, business and war.
Put simply, Sir Albert Chadwick’s life of great achievement is integral to the story of modern Australia.
Photograph of Melbourne Football Club, Premiers 1926, Image courtesy of the Melbourne Cricket Club Museum collection
On release of the publication, Richardson said discovering the extent of Sir Albert’s rich and varied life was an adventure that yielded some compelling insights into the man and his era.
“Sir Albert’s contribution to Victoria and Australia has been underestimated: he was a nation builder whose influence ranged across sport, business and two World Wars,’’ Mr Richardson said.
“His is a great story of rising from challenging beginnings in country Victoria to becoming the leader of the biggest and most elite sporting club in Australia. He was complex, disciplined and loyal, with a great sense of public service.’’
“He was a gifted footballer and leader who took Melbourne to the 1926 Premiership, a pivotal figure in the RAAF during World War Two, a skilled businessman who led Victoria’s Gas and Fuel Corporation through a radical transformation all while he was building an enviable CV of important sports administration roles.’’
“I’m grateful to the MCC for giving me the opportunity to embark on this project and peel back some of the layers around the man himself. The end result is hopefully a story of inspiration to readers.”
MCC President, Michael Happell praised Mr Richardson’s account of Sir Albert.
“Nick has done a great job tackling a complex character, in particular in chronicling his extraordinary contribution to our Club,” Mr Happell said.
“There are some fascinating sections, including the challenge of securing the MCG as the main stadium for the 1956 Olympic Games and the early 1970s public relations campaign promoting the MCG over VFL Park, as two examples.”
MCC Committee member and Chair of the MCC’s Literary Advisory Committee, Clare Cannon was delighted to kick-start its production of Club-focused publications with the Chadwick biography.
“This is an exciting venture for the Club. We have a proud Club history and great stories to tell. We are excited to kick start this process with Nick’s wonderful documentation of Sir Albert Chadwick,” Mrs Cannon said.
“We look forward to producing more of these niche MCC publications in the coming years.
“Chadwick is a remarkable story, and one that will be enjoyed not only by footy fans or sports fans, but by all readers.
“The release is timely for Father’s Day, and with the Melbourne Football Club on the edge of a Finals tilt. Ninety-five years on from when Chadwick led them to the ultimate prize, we hope this biography is well received.”
The limited-edition Chadwick: A Man of Many Parts (published by the Melbourne Cricket Club) is available via the MCG Shop from $40.
Photograph of Albert Chadwick, c1920s, Image courtesy of the Melbourne Cricket Club Museum collection