From wooden spoons to premierships. From Victoria Park to the MCG.
There’s not much Dr Jack Kennedy has not seen during his time at Collingwood.
In the years since 1973, Dr Kennedy has served as Vice-President, a Board member, a medical consultant and as a recruiting officer.
Dr Kennedy’s first stint on the Board saw him serve under the leadership of John Hickey in 1982 before he was re-elected some thirteen years later in 1994.
He has since served under Allan McAllister, Kevin Rose and Eddie McGuire and was elected one of the club’s joint Vice-Presidents in 2006.
His contribution to Collingwood has been enormous.
In 1999, Dr Kennedy was instrumental in the club’s move from its traditional home at Victoria Park to the MCG where it remains the leading tenant club.
“Peter Hammond came with me, he was the President of (major sponsor) Spices Paper,” Dr Kennedy recalls.
“We came to a great consensus and the deal was fantastic.
“I’ve still got the serviettes with the rough agreement.”
Dr Kennedy didn’t begin life as a Collingwood tragic. He attributes his undeniable love for the Black and White to the influence of his wife Anna.
“I married my wife in ’66, and she’s a fanatical Collingwood supporter. She converted me,” he said.
“I would have been a warm Collingwood supporter but a very strong Yarrawonga supporter.
“But I love it.”
Dr Kennedy also served on the committee that oversaw the club’s move to set up its training, administration and member facilities at the Holden Centre at Olympic Park in 2004.
Further to this, he acted as a key advisor in the club’s $25 million redevelopment project at Olympic Park – The Glasshouse.
A distinguished surgeon by trade, Dr Kennedy was invaluable in his role as club ear, nose, throat, head and neck surgeon. He was also instrumental in setting up and working with the club’s medical department and was responsible for the development of the club’s drug and alcohol policy.
Awarded Collingwood Life Membership in 2002, Dr Kennedy’s contribution to the club extends well beyond his time as a Director. Over the last 43 years he has served in a wide range of roles at the club, including medical consultant, recruiting officer, Chairman of many committees, Board member and Vice-President.
However despite the numerous roles and responsibilities, he places the relationships he’s forged with key members of the Collingwood community as being equally valuable.
“I’ve had terrific letters and phone calls from everyone saying congratulations. But I’ve always had people calling me to talk about something,” he said on the response he received after making the decision to leave the Board.
“I love saying hello to all the players. I’ve fixed that many of their bloody noses.
“At the team photo the other day I had a photo by myself and they all gave me a big cheer.
“I think being on the board you really are part of the place.”
Dr Kennedy’s place on the Collingwood Board will be filled by Christine Holgate. It’s a changing of the guard that contains a hint of football romance, for it was Dr Kennedy and his wife, Anna, who introduced Holgate to the magic of the Black and White.
“If I ever go to a Collingwood game, I always say… ‘Can I sit next to Jack Kennedy?’” Holgate told Collingwood Media earlier this month.
Dr Kennedy replicates the sentiment in his enthusiastic endorsement of the addition of Holgate to the Board.
“If I had to choose myself who I would like to replace me on the board, it would be her,” Dr Kennedy said.
“It’ll be a different board to other boards she’s been on, but she’s a very intelligent and smart person but also a very nice person too.”
A truly wonderful Collingwood character, Dr Kennedy is now bestowed with the prominent role of club Patron for his four decades of outstanding service to Collingwood Football Club.
It’s an honour that has been shared by a select number of Collingwood legends and one that Dr Kennedy is incredibly proud of.
“It’s a huge honour,” he said.
“It means I can still come to all the games, I can serve on a few sub-committees if they want me too.
“I’ll still keep an eye on the medical side of things, which has always been my baby and I’ll still go to every game interstate.”
Dr Kennedy has had a tremendous influence on the Collingwood Football Club.
But the Life Member still believes the club he loves has had just as significant of an impact on him as he’s had on it.
“I feel like I’ve done a bit for the club and it’s done a hell of a lot for me.”
