Recieved life membership in 1981.
Jack McGrath is a life member of the Ainslie Football Club and he and his wife Clare are two of Ainslie’s greatest supporters. Jack has missed only a few of Ainslie’s games in the past 40 years. Most of the missed games were due to a serious medical problem (but more of this later).
Jack was born at Werribee in Victoria in 1936. He went to school at St Andrews in Werribee and then to St Joseph’s College in Geelong. Jack’s wife, Clare, went to the same school in Werribee.
At school, Jack played inter-College footy mainly as a full forward. Jack’s family supported Carlton and Jack followed suit. After a brief stint with Carlton Thirds he went back to Werribee and played about 30 senior games in the Werribee league as a half forward and as a centre before recurring knee ligament problems effectively ended his football career. Clare has a theory that wine, women and song had some part to play in this.
In 1956, the year of the Melbourne Olympics, Jack was working in the Department of Air at Victoria Barracks in St Kilda Road in Melbourne. Noel McCormack later became his boss. Jack and Noel became good friends. In this same year, Jack and Clare started going out together, making a start to a great partnership.
Jack moved to Canberra with his work in 1960. This was meant to be a temporary transfer but it proved to be a permanent one. Jack and Clare were engaged at this time. Noel had come to Canberra during the previous year and both he and Jack were living at Condamine Court.
Jack and Clare were married in Werribee on 13 January 1961. They first lived together in Canberra at the Tyson Street house they still occupy. They bought the house in 1962.
The Ainslie Club is just down the road from Jack and Clare’s house and Jack used to go for the occasional drink at the Club. His association with the Footy Club began one Friday night at the Club when someone asked him if he was doing anything the next day. Jack agreed to help out with the Monaro side (now the Division side) and so began Jack’s long association with the Footy Club. He worked as assistant manager and then manager of the Monaro side. Clare also became involved. She organised the oranges for the Monaro side and was later on the Club Ladies’ Committee. She helped to organise a canteen for home games and to organise sandwiches for the players after each game. She also helped organise functions and washing of jumpers.
Jack became a Board member and Assistant Secretary in 1970. He was a Vice President in 1976 and 1977 and Senior Vice President for the next 4 years. Jack was also a member of the Social Club Board in 1977 and 1986.
On 31 March 1981 Jack collapsed in the Club. He had a brain tumour but there was no warning of this illness. On 5 April in that year Jack had an operation to remove the tumour. The surgery was successful, but Jack could not speak, write or tell the difference between colours for several months. His recovery was a slow process. Clare says that the support and encouragement of the Club and his many friends was an important factor in his recovery. Quite clearly, she is very grateful for this.
After his recovery, Jack continued as a Board member for several years. He then did some timekeeping and is still a reserve timekeeper.
Jack rates the premiership won by “Cowboy” Neale’s side in 1979 as one of the many highlights during his time at the Club as it was almost a decade since the previous senior flag – a long time between drinks. His greatest disappointment was the loss in 1973 when, with only 16 fit players in the last quarter and after a great comeback Ainslie were beaten by one solitary point.
Jack and Clare value the great memories over the years but it was not always plain sailing. Clare recalls the time when, after a Committee Meeting, Jack and his friends decided to have a few drinks – it was a warm night, Clare rang the club a couple of times and the reply was “won’t be long we’re having a sub-committee meeting”. Finally Clare rang and said that dinner was ready. The reply was “won’t be long – put it in the oven”, Clare hung up!! Being a dutiful wife Clare did as she was told, Jack declares that he has never eaten baked salad since.
For many years, Jack has maintained a shed at his house as a place for him and his mates. The shed is covered in football and racing memorabilia. One of Gibbo’s Grand Final jumpers, autographed by the players, is part of this. Friends call in, stay for a chat and a beer or two and on Saturday’s (except for when Ainslie play) watch the footy and races and enjoy good company. Clare started the tradition of providing food on Saturday afternoons and still does.
Clare and Jack have 2 children, Andrew (who is a current Football Club Director and also a Life Member) and Jenny (Dalton) who also lives in Canberra and has produced the McGrath grandchildren.