Vale Merv Davidson

The Hampton Rovers Football Club is mourning the passing of 1954 Woodrow Medallist Merv Davidson OAM, who died peacefully at the age of 95 on Saturday 10 June.

Merv played in excess of 100 VAFA games for the Hampton Rovers Football Club, winning the Club Best & Fairest in 1950 and played in the Club’s only A-Section Premiership in 1951.

He received Life Membership of the Rovers in 1955 and was inducted into the Club’s Hall of Fame in 2016.

Merv was the competition’s oldest surviving Woodrow Medallist, having won the VAFA’s highest individual honour in 1954, and represented the Big V on five occasions in 1948-49.

He also played 34 games at VFA level for the Sandringham Football Club in 1955-56 and received offers to train with Carlton and St Kilda Football Clubs among others.

Merv was heavily involved at the Victoria Golf Club where he was a member for 45.8 years. A VGC Handicapper for over 20 years, he was the editor of the much-loved VGC Blue and White Newsletter for over 20 years, C Grade Champion in 2006, Winner of the Spring Trophy in 2011 and unanimously elected to Life Membership of VGC in 2018.

He eventually received an Order Of Australia Medal for his contribution to sport (during his time with the Victorian Squash Racquets Association), so his love of sport was a driving force.

A Memorial Service for Merv Davidson will be held on Monday, 19th June at The Victoria Golf Club, Park Road, Cheltenham, commencing 10am, followed by morning tea at the same venue.

Photographed above is VAFA President George Voyage with Merv and his Woodrow last year.