Palman Qui Meruit Ferat
Cheque that said we love you Kevin
HUMAN kindness sometimes knows no bounds. Take, for instance, this amazing story of one of the great players ever to don a footy guernsey, Fitzroy legend Kevin Murray, who lost his Flowerdale holiday retreat in the Black Saturday bushfires last February. The home was not Murray's regular residence - he lives in Arcadia, near Shepparton - but nevertheless, the loss of his second residence was a massive blow to the 71-year-old, as it was not insured.
Well, it wasn't long before the old Fitzroy faithful rallied to his cause - and the result has been quite staggering. Because he is yet to receive any assistance from the Bushfire Relief Appeal other than the cost of removing the debris, the Fitzroy Brisbane Lions Past Players and Officials Association recently organised a president's luncheon [at the Brunswick Street Oval before Fitzroy's home game against South Melbourne Districts] during which it launched an appeal for him.
And as proof of what Murray means to Fitzroy - remember he played 333 games for the Lions, won nine best-and-fairest awards and is a former club skipper and captain coach - the money soon began to pour in. But it was one donation that stunned everybody, Murray included. The $31,500 raised so far includes one cheque of $30,000, which was sent to the club on the condition the donor remained anonymous. ''I don't even know who the person is,'' club secretary Bill Atherton said yesterday. ''It was a magnanimous gesture, quite unbelievable really.''
Indeed, Murray can be quite thankful of what has transpired since Black Saturday. Apart from the generosity of the Fitzroy faithful, he had planned to visit his holiday retreat on the day of the tragedy, but at the last moment decided not to go. ''We could have lost him, too,'' said Atherton. ''We're very lucky to still have him.''
Geoff McClure - The Age Sporting Life - August 20th 2009
