Left, Tony Burchill and right, Stanno both pick up their “You can leave the country. But not the club. Honk!” trophies.
On Friday night in Saigon, after watching Hawthorn roll Collingwood in Week No. 1 of the 2012 AFL Finals, we farewelled outgoing Austrade Commissioner, Tony Burchill – and former Hanoi Coach, Greg “Stanno” Stanton who was back from Cambodia for the weekend…
Tony has been a great supporter of the Swannies and, thanks to a hammy injury, this former Jakarta Bintang was arguably the greatest we had that never played. Tony also introduced two guys to the Club who would go on to play such big roles in our development both on and off the field: Shannon Leahy and our new Saigon President, Nick Shiells.
When the Club was relatively new in Saigon, Tony publicly supported us which increased our credibility in the local community. One example was in 2009 when the Swannies, together with the Lao Elephants, hosted a tribute match, in Hanoi, in memory of the victims of the Jakarta bombings. The bombings claimed many lives, including Jakarta Bintangs’ player and Austrade official, Craig Senger.
Austrade used our match as a vehicle to help raise funds for the Craig Senger Memorial Fund.
In 2010, Tony took it upon himself to record a series of interviews with people involved in our inaugural ANZAC Friendship Match in Vung Tau which he then turned into a short documentary. If we are correct about the trajectory of our ANZAC Friendship Match, that video record of the first match will become increasingly important as the years pass.
The premiere screening of the Dog Eat Dog Production was held at the Australian Consul General’s Official Residence in Saigon. Tony invited the Consul general, Graeme Swift, the Board Members of Auscham, the Swannies’ sponsors and Swannies’ committee members to the event.
Again, all these things have done a lot to help raise the Swannies’ credibility and profile in the local community.
Meanwhile, on Friday night, we also welcomed back former Hanoi Coach, Greg, “Stanno” Stanton who now works in Cambodia. Stanno, who also played in the inaugural ANZAC friendship Match, was back in town just for the weekend.
Both Tony and Stanno (retrospectively for Stanno) were presented with You can leave the country. But not the Club. Honk! trophies.
Another two great blokes for the Swannies.
Items of related interest
- Click here to view article published in WA Today, Footy Tribute to fallen Aussie (Craig Senger).
- Click here to view Tony Burchill’s 2010 video documentary of the inaugural ANZAC Friendship Match.
