Simon starting following Carlton as a young boy in the late 1950s, attending every home and away game with his father and a little fruit-box to stand on, until he got bigger - some would now say larger than life. The Wilson family home was located for forty years on the corner of Royal Parade and Walker Street, opposite Princes Park, before his late father sold the property to the Pharmacy Board in 1957. The QC was a successful amateur footballer in his own right, playing until he was about thirty years of age.
In 1992, several years after becoming a sponsor of the Club, at forty-one Simon was appointed as the youngest Queen’s Counsel in Victoria that year, and has built a significant legal practice in commercial litigation and defamation.
In 2002, he was elected as a Director of the Club and, as the second-longest serving Director to Stephen Kernahan, helped steer the Club through the most difficult period in its history. During his eight years on the Board, Simon has provided free legal advice and representation to the Club and players and has represented the Club before the AFL; drawn contracts and other legal documents; managed several Supreme Court cases on behalf of the Club; been responsible for changes to the Club’s constitution and has advised and represented players for AFL Tribunal matters.
It is Simon’s strong view that the Board of the Club needs to be reduced to no more than nine and he has been prepared to stand aside to try to help the Club achieve that result.
Simon will certainly not be lost to Carlton. The Club has decided not to dispense with the QC’s services, and he has been appointed to the role of “Honorary Senior Legal Counsel” to the Carlton Football Club.
Carlton President Stephen Kernahan said he spoke on behalf of everyone involved at Carlton when thanking Simon for the contributions he has made to the club over many years.
“Simon has been a life-long supporter of the Carlton Football Club and the contributions he has made as a member, sponsor, and more recently as a director, have been significant and appreciated by everyone involved with the club.
“His decision to step-down as a director is a further example of his love of the Carlton Football Club and his desire to put the club ahead of any personal position.
“We wish Simon the very best for the future and thank him for making his services available to the Club in the position of Honorary Senior Legal Counsel.”
The QC said “I love the Carlton Football Club passionately. It has been a significant part of my life and I hope that I can still provide valuable assistance as and when required. I am thrilled that the Club is now moving positively forward under the presidency of Stephen Kernahan and the on-field leadership of Chris Judd.
“I implore all supporters to give them your support and I am sure that we will taste ultimate success very soon. Thank you again to all of my friends at Carlton and the supporters of the Carlton Football Club.”
Send your message of thanks to "The QC" in appreciation of his 23 years continuous support and service to the Carlton Football Club
