Every now and again, a member of the public comes forward with an item that only serves to enhance the long and rich history of Carlton.
Enter Des Akers, whose generous contribution to the football club vault came in the way of a fading reference of more than 90 years ago for “Ted” Malone, an unassuming character and fitness fanatic who acted as Maurie Beasy’s personal trainer through the 1924 season.
At the time, Beasy was training in Dunolly then commuting by train to Carlton to play – but the big man’s form was such that he still managed to represent the Big V in that year.
Contained in an envelope upon which a postage stamp of the then monarch, George V, is affixed, the reference - dated December 6, 1924, and carrying the moniker of the then club Secretary Reg Hunt - was addressed to “Mr. Edward Malone, Dunolly”.
The original envelope addressed to Mr. Edward Malone, Dunolly. (Photo: Carlton Media)
The letter was recently handed over to Carlton by a Malone relative, Des Akers.
Hunt’s letter reads as follows;
To whom it may concern,-
This is to certify that Mr. Edward Malone has proved himself, to the satisfaction of the Carlton Football club, an efficient trainer, and one who knows his work. He was engaged to look after Mr. Maurie Beasy during the season 1924 and he brought him into wonderful condition and kept him in that state for a long period, enabling him to rans as one of the best footballers in Australia.
I have much pleasure in furnishing this recommendation on his behalf.
Reginald Hunt
Secretary Carlton Football Club
Included with the letter donated to the club by Akers is a postcard photograph of Beasy in his Carlton strip and another captured by Dunolly’s MacLyn Studio of Malone in his running gear in the late 1920s.
“My interest in this is that I was born in Dunolly and knew both Maurie Beasy when I was a youngster and of course knew his son Doug (also a former Carlton footballer),” Akers said.
“I am a nephew by marriage to Mr Malone and as Mr Malone died many years ago and had no children, he entrusted this material to me for safe keeping. As I am now not wishing to hold the material any longer, I would like to donate it to your Museum.”
Born on September 11, 1892, and a teacher by profession, Daniel Edward (Ted) Malone was the youngest of three children of Daniel Patrick and Ellen (nee Davoren) Malone who both hailed from County Clare in Ireland.
A teacher by profession, Malone transferred from Burnt Creek State School to Nyah Railway Station School as Head Teacher in January 1925, the year after he assisted Beasy.
Malone served at Nyah until 1931, before transferring to Ivanhoe State School as Head Teacher. Akers recalled that Malone used to walk to and from his home in North Balwyn to fulfil teaching duties at Ivanhoe.
In 1950, Malone was appointed to a similar position at Westgarth Central State School. He retired in September 1957, and died in Box Hill in 1971, predeceasing his wife of 45 years Minnie, who died in 1988.
Akers said his decision to contribute these precious keepsakes to the club was governed by a wish to ensure Uncle Ted was remembered – and motivated by the sheer pleasure Carlton had given him as a supporter.
“It goes without saying of course that I have followed the Blues for around 70 years,” Akers said. “I also went to school at Maryborough with the two Nicholls boys, John and Don, with whom I played in the school sporting teams.”
