Vale Don Mullin

The Kew Football Club was saddened to hear the news of Don Mullin’s passing late last week.

Don was a true Kew FC legend – a star ruckman and key position player in his prime.

Don joined the club in 1962 at age 17, after playing baseball and basketball in his youth. He played 10 Reserves games in his first year at Kew FC and was soon selected in the Senior team early the following season. He became an integral part of Kew FC’s Senior side playing in the positions of Centre Half Back and Ruck until 1978.

Don played a whopping 330 games for his beloved Kew FC including playing in 2 x Senior Premiership sides in 1964 and 1966. He was awarded Kew FC’s prestigious Senior Best & Fairest Award in 1968 when Kew FC were playing in the A Grade competition in the VAFA.

He won many other trophies over his illustrious career at Kew FC, including (to name a few): Best First Year Player, Most Determined, Most Consistent as well as the VAFA B Grade League Best & Fairest Medal. The local newspaper ‘The Outer Circle Mirror’ awarded Don the Best Player Award in 1968.

Don played for the VAFA representative team in 1968, 1969 and 1970 with the honour of Vice Captain in 1969 and 1970. He was also extended the honour of being selected in the prestigious All Australian Amateur Team as Centre Half Back in 1968.

Don became Kew FC’s Senior Captain / Coach in 1969 (B Grade) and revived a team that had dropped from A Grade in a fast finish to be an unlucky 5th in B Grade of the VAFA competition. He continued his Senior captaincy until 1976 and took over as Kew FC’s Reserves Captain / Coach in 1978 (C Grade).

Such was Don’s popularity, great play and team work, he was nicknamed ‘Mad Dog’ by his VAFA teammates.

In 1964, Don played 7 games with Hawthorn’s Reserves side in the VFL before returning to play with his beloved Kew FC in the VAFA. A few years later, Ainslie FC and Canberra ACT FL attempted to lure Don up North as their Captain-Coach but he elected to remain with Kew FC.

Don continued to rack up the awards even during the latter years of his career when he played Reserves football for Kew FC, including being awarded the Reserves B & F in 1980 (B Grade Reserves).

In 1980, Don still managed to force his way into playing a handful of Senior games in a very strong Senior Kew FC side who eventually finished 3rd behind Old Xavs and Old Scotch in the VAFA.

Don also coached Kew FC’s reserves side (C Grade) in 1986.

Off field, Don did it all for Kew FC. He served on the Committee occupying a number of different position including Vice President, Chair of the Social Committee, Selection Committee, Players’ Representative, VAFA Delegate, Reserve Team Field Umpire and of course he eventually was awarded Kew FC Life Member in 1975.

Don was held in high respect and esteem by the VAFA HQ Executive, including icon John Dillon, and fellow clubs and players.

Don is survived by his beloved wife Elizabeth and 2 children – his daughter who resides in Melbourne and his son who currently resides in Denmark. Don’s son Stewart played for Kew FC u19s in 1984 and for Kew FC reserves in 1986 under Don as Coach.

Don and Elizabeth lived for many years in Lower Templestowe and were great fans of Carlton FC.

On behalf of the VAFA and Kew Football Club community, our condolences go out to the entire Mullin family.

Elizabeth and the Mullin family have informed the Club that there will be a private cremation and a memorial for Don in mid-October.