Almanac Lunches: John Craven at The Petrel in Geelong

 

Please note that the next Almanac Lunch is on July 26 at the All Nations Hotel in Richmond. Details to come. Bookings essential. Send us an email: [email protected]

 

 

John Craven at the microphone

 

 

The Petrel Hotel in Pakington St Geelong played host to the Footy Almanac team for their lunch with special guest, respected journalist and author, John Craven last week.

 

Approximately fifty punters, mainly from Geelong and surrounds, were in attendance to partake in the usual conviviality one expects at a Footy Almanac function.

 

 

Some of the usual suspects, Citrus Bob Utber, Smokie Dawson, and Peter Flynn

 

 

Citrus Bob deep in conversation with Justin Hartnett, former Geelong captain Damian Bourke is in the background

 

 

Roger Lowrey’s contribution as the organiser of the function, his role as the Master of Ceremonies and interviewer significantly ensured the day ran effortlessly and was the success it turned out to be.

 

John Craven, born and bred in Geelong, had for many years developed a work in progress highlighting the history and story of successful and important sporting champions who excelled in their individual fields and careers,  their family roots and sporting beginnings originating in Geelong and surrounding districts.

 

This work in progress eventually became a book of nearly 600 pages titled The Conquerors, and it was this book that provided the focus of the interview and discussion between John and Roger.

 

 

Roger Lowrey asking one of his many probing questions for John to consider

 

Roger firstly elicited details of John’s formative years growing up in Geelong, his sporting exploits, and his eventual career as a journalist and author with the thoughtful and perceptive, well-prepared questions he directed to John before focussing his questions on the book and the stories of the many champions contained within. For those in audience previously unaware of John’s background and stature in the world of sports writing it soon became obvious –  this man has credibility!

 

Commencing with fewer ‘Conquerors’ chosen to include in his book, John explained how it became apparent to him as he delved deeper into his research he unearthed many more champions than he initially was aware of for inclusion in his book, and all were worthy for inclusion. Consequently, the book expanded to become the story of 100 champions from Geelong and environs.

 

I was surprised by some of the Geelong connections raised and spoken about as I was not aware of this background they had while others I was more aware of. Clearly, the project was a labour of love for John, demonstrated admirably by his passionate, emotional,  and compelling thoughts and knowledgeable responses to the questions asked by Roger, and later from the audience.

 

Cyclist Russell Mockridge tragically killed in a race accident far too young certainly touched John deeply. A superstar of his day, John left us in no doubt the greatness of this ‘conqueror’ and the adoration the public had for him, a true champion in every sense of the word. John Landy and the race to become the first runner to break the four-minute mile had the public enthralled at the time and John’s admiration of Landy’s feats were palpable for all to see.

 

The story of Jack Grant winning the 1938 Stawell Gift was a cracking anecdote of taking the bookies down and hitting the jackpot was close to John’s heart as John was a runner of note in his younger days.

 

 

Campbell Bairstow and Damian Bourke

 

 

Peter Fuller and Stan Kluzek

 

John had the audience enthralled with his stories of champions both well known and not so well known but in the time available he only scratched the surface of the fascinating one hundred stories of Geelong champions he has compiled for his book that he could have referred to at the function but as always, time was of the essence. For many in attendance the purchase of his book was a no-brainer as John happily signed the purchased copies.

 

It was a fabulous afternoon enjoyed by all in attendance.

 

 

You can purchase John’s book The Conquerors by contacting him Here

 

 

All photos CGR

 

 

More from Col Ritchie can be read Here

 

 

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Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.

 

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