Born Carlton, Victoria December 28, 1863 – died Melbourne, Victoria May 7, 1947
Recruited to Carlton from Melbourne FC
At Carlton
33 matches, 11 goals 1883-’84
Life Member (awarded pre-1900s)
President: 1901-’03
Chairman, Carlton Recreation Ground Management Committee
Robert Murray Heatley was born in Carlton on December 28, 1863, the year before the Carlton Football Club itself was founded.
The second of eight children reared by Scottish immigrants, Heatley represented the club through the VFA years before interests in first bookmaking and then property development took precedence.
The following extract from The Carlton Story by Hugh Buggy and Harry Bell, says much about Robert Heatley’s contribution to the Carlton Football Club, and relates to the 1883 season.
“Opening the season against a Waverley 23, Carlton had an easy victory by seven goals to nil. Among the new players to show that game was Robert Heatley, who later became president of Carlton and worked indefatigably for many years for Carlton sport and the Carlton Recreation Ground. The Heatley Stand was named to honour his memory, and in appreciation of his distinguished services to the club.”
In 1932 at Princes Park, Sir William Brunton formerly opened the Robert Heatley Stand – an edifice built at a cost of £8000. The stand was named after Heatley that same year, according to the club secretary PJ Cain “in honour of Mr. Robert Heatley, who has done so much for the ground, especially in its early years”.
Robert Heatley died on May 7, 1947, four months before Freddy Stafford sank Essendon with his Premiership-winning goal on the final bell. He was buried in a family mausoleum in Coburg Cemetery.
To the end Heatley supported the Carlton team, and his ’47 membership ticket - which carries his signature in the corner - remains a precious family keepsake six decades later.
The club’s 1947 Annual Report carried the following obituary:
“With the passing of Robert Heatley early in 1947, a great personality was lost to Carlton. The late Robert Heatley, who was a President of your Club during the years 1901 to 1903, was also a former President of the Cricket Club and Chairman of the C.R.M.C. (Carlton Recreation Ground Management Committee), and he devoted many years to sport at the Carlton Ground. It was his interest, energy and influence, particularly in its early history, that was chiefly responsible for the establishment and development of our fine ground, which now stands as a permanent monument to him.”
Heatley’s grandson David Adams was understandably disappointed, but philosophical, in the knowledge that the Robert Heatley Stand, together with the George G. Harris Stand, inevitably fell to the wrecking ball.
“I’m very sad and it is a bit unfortunate . . . but you’ve got to move on,” he said at the time of demolition.
“I just hope some elements of both stands – such as the Heatley and Harris names – can be preserved and put on a wall – to ensure that these men are remembered.
“Unfortunately Robert Heatley’s legacy will probably end with our generation because we were the last to know him, but we do try to tell the younger generations how he set us up for life. ‘Gramp’ taught me that in life you share what you’ve got. If you come into good fortune you share it, not only with your family, but also with others.”
