Three new VAFA Life Members inducted

Three wonderful servants of the VAFA were recognised and honoured as they received their Life Membership at the 2025 VAFA Awards Night.

GEORGE VOYAGE

George’s involvement with the VAFA began as a player with Caulfield Grammarians, before transitioning into coaching, various selector roles, representative football, and a long, outstanding service as a league Board member and President for more than thirty years.

During this time, he has overseen some of the Association’s most significant reforms, from the introduction of a new Constitution and Affiliation Fee model to the development of a Strategic Plan.

George led with integrity and vision through the challenges of COVID and was tireless in ensuring the VAFA community not only recovered but grew stronger.

George is widely admired for what he has accomplished and the way he has achieved it, epitomising the VAFA’s values of respect, inclusion, integrity and a genuine love for community.

Every community football organisation needs champions. People who go above and beyond to serve whenever and however they can for the good of the competition.

The VAFA has been extremely fortunate to have George as one of our champions.

His impact on our competition has been profound on so many different levels, and his legacy will endure for decades to come.

SIMON PETCH

Since answering a newspaper ad in The Age’s Green Guide in 1998, ‘Petchy’ (as he is universally known throughout the Ammo community) has been the voice of our competition for almost three decades through his match commentary on Inner FM, Channel 31, RSN, SEN and VAFA TV.

Simon has enhanced our coverage with his commentary skill, passion, wit and deeply in-grained knowledge of his beloved Ammos, both in terms of the history and tradition of the competition as well as its very essence.

He has called hundreds of matches over the decades, from Premier grade blockbusters and Grand Finals, to dozens of Big V representative games. Every one of them has been treated with love, care and energy, increasing the entertainment and enjoyment for our audience and lifting the profile of the Association in the process.

Respected and universally admired for his unwavering commitment to the competition and community, Simon has not only shared his considerable talent with the VAFA, but also his time, enthusiasm and heart.

He continues to call with as much verve and vigour as he ever has, always wearing his heart on the sleeve and truly epitomising our mantra of ‘For the Love of the Game.’

BRIAN GOODMAN

Brian ‘Benny’ Goodman has served the VAFA and its community in a range of roles for almost 60 years across playing, umpiring, coaching and administration.

He began as a player with Brunswick Amateurs, before umpiring more than 370 VAFA matches, including 55 finals and 23 Grand Finals.

After injury ended his on-field career, he progressed to become a coach, selector, broadcaster and ultimately one of the Association’s most influential administrators.

As the VAFA’s first full-time Director of Umpiring, Brian modernised umpiring pathways, introduced innovations such as the Black Card system, and mentored countless officials.

Then, as General Manager of Football & Umpiring, he oversaw fixturing, representative programs, and tribunal operations, always with a focus on increasing professionalism and community service.

They say ‘you never retire from the Ammos,’ and Brian is a perfect example. His passion for the game and the competition continues, serving Old Scotch as a welfare manager and coach, always finding the time and energy to give back to the game he loves.

Respected, innovative, and tireless, Brian’s contributions to the VAFA have been unwavering and exceptional, and he is a very worthy recipient of Life Membership.

We thank and congratulate George, Simon and Brian for their incredible service to the VAFA. We are proud to have them join the ranks of our Life Members.