As you can no doubt imagine, a fair bit goes on behind the scenes to keep the whole The Footy Almanac project going.
One bloke, who has been absolutely fantastic for us, for well over a decade now, is James ‘Dermie’ Demetrie. Dermie established Diskmandotnet back before we started. He was developing his adolescent business when he discovered the Geelong-love around Malarkey Publications and www.footyalmanac.com.au
After IT guru Neil Belford got us going, and Peter ‘Hap’ Hannan took us the next step along the way, with an updated website design, Dermie looked after the day to day stuff and eventually helped custom build a some new elements of the site. All this he has done, and continues to do, pro bono, such is his belief in the concept, which is why he is considered our major sponsor.
His business has grown, as you would expect of someone who, along with his wife Maz, pay such personal attention to serving their clients.
Dermie has designed websites for numerous Almanac members and their businesses (and some personal sites) and continues to host and support them. They include Kate Burke at Think Agri and Tim Robb and Jeremy Hall at QTRBCK.
Kate says: “James is efficient, extremely clever and exceptional value; that’s how I’d describe diskmandotnet. These traits allow me to forgive him for his obsessions with KISS and the Geelong Footy Club!”
Tim Robb writes: “James has been exceptional to deal with. Most of this stuff is another language to me, so being able to connect James with our IT team and have everything completed very quickly in the background has been great. Would highly recommend.”
Dermie and Maz have also supported programs with which I’ve been involved, such as the website which accumulates historical documents and resources for the History of Monash group in South Australia’s Riverland. It’s currently a private website but will go public and become a fantastic resource for people who identify with Monash no matter to which corner of the globe life has taken them.
Dermie and Maz make a terrific team. They don’t do things at half pace. Yes, they are huge Geelong fans, and KISS fans as those who have been to their home know. It’s actually a shrine.
Dermie is a Life Member of The Power House Football Club in Melbourne (He also did their website).
He’s also an uncle of Anna Pavlou (another Catter) which is how Anna came to the Almanac while studying and has gone on to a blossoming career in sports journalism, now at Nine.
We’ve been trying to get Dermie to an event for a while, but the stars just haven’t lined up in his busy work life. Finally he came to the Grand Final Eve Lunch this year. Despite smarting from a Prelim Final loss (the one that got away), he and his mate Gates were in sparkling form.
Dermie and Maz, we are very grateful for all you have done, and wish you and our other sponsors a Happy Christmas.
If you’d like Dermie and Maz to help you, contact them directly and mention The Footy Almanac, or we are happy to introduce you. Just contact us HERE.
About John Harms
JTH is a writer, publisher, speaker, historian. He is founder and contributing editor of The Footy Almanac and footyalmanac.com.au. He has written columns and features for numerous publications. His books include Confessions of a Thirteenth Man, Memoirs of a Mug Punter, Loose Men Everywhere, Play On, The Pearl: Steve Renouf's Story and Life As I Know It (with Michelle Payne). He can be contacted [email protected] He is married to Susan. They have three school-age kids - Theo, Anna, Evie. He might not be the worst putter in the world but he's in the worst four. His ambition was to lunch for Australia but it clashed with his other ambition - to shoot his age.
a great piece, great to now know some of the background about those in the “engine room” …
thanks
Rabbit in the Vineyard
Yes, and these guys are mega-imoortant. The web can be tricky. They’ve done everything to de-trickify it.