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| Special Edition Newsletter by Shirley Chapman Joachim Newsletter Date: July 2006 “What a Great Day it was for Football” The Joachim Family Reunion Saturday 1st July 2006 – Telstra Dome – Docklands – Melbourne St Kilda v Hawthorn Katrina & Jenny Cowen, Granddaughters of Sarah Cowen (nee Joachim) were inspired by their father, Harold, to also become passionate supporters of “The Saints”. Sarah’s sister Cissie Joachim married Bert Chapman who played with St Kilda in 1914, and he inspired a loyalty and support for the club, which has been passed on through the generations. Cissie and Bert only had one son, Keith, and as can happen in families, Keith married a Sydney girl and it was assumed he lived in Sydney to the point that when the initial family reunion was planned the family placed an advertisement in the Sydney papers trying to locate him. Fate stepped in and Jenny and Katrina discovered that even at 85 he was with his wife, very much alive living in Melbourne with a thriving family of 4 boys, 3 daughters in law and 5 grandchildren and only a telephone call away and together with so many other members of the extended Joachim family, were also true blue, dyed in the wool “Saints” supporters. Contact was easy. Jenny is very imaginative, and what else would be appropriate than a Joachim Family Reunion at the “footie” and plans for the great day were underway. All family members were contacted and there were about 40 responses. Ron James “volunteered” to take over the ticketing arrangements and Jenny set about researching Bert’s football career, and as Harold and Keith had been boyhood friends as well as cousins and held each other in high regard Jenny also set about the difficult task of enthusing the St Kilda Football Club to play a part in the great day. Only Jenny knows the highs, the lows and the frustrations of organizing her plans. Luckily she found an ally in Vanessa Gigliotti, Communications Assistant St Kilda Football Club, and it was arranged that Keith and his sons would be invited into St Kilda’s rooms before the game and Keith would present his Father’s no.19 football jumper to up and coming player, Sam Gilbert. This may all sound so simple but it was a Mammoth Task because Jenny also undertook the preparation and presentation of a Commemorative Booklet about his Father, complete with an enlargement of his cigarette card; with information of which Keith was unaware. She also arranged for an article to appear in “The Age” on Friday 30th June, 2006. The Chapman’s arrived at the Dome at 12.30pm, for Keith, his sons and one grandson to move off to the St Kilda rooms at 12.45pm. Keith relates the following account: “We were met by Vanessa entering the rooms – she went and brought Sam Gilbert in to meet (Keith) me and I was invited to present “the old man’s” No.19 jumper to him to wear with pride. He was a nice lad, very tall, about 6ft 2 and comes from Queensland. Next thing Grant Thomas came over and had a few words, with me and introduced me to one of my hero’s, Alan Jeans. We had quite a chat. I told him that I had been with my Father, invited into the rooms at the Junction Oval in 1962 to hear Alan Killigrew’s half time address to the players – talk about fire and brimstone! Alan Jeans said (quote) “- Alan Killigrew was never given enough credit for the 1966 Grand Final win because when I took over the team was in great shape and I added the finishing touches.” The big moment was over, the group arrived back all smiles of appreciation – the other family members had arrived, Ron James’ seating arrangements were absolutely first class, the introductions were all made, the digital cameras worked overtime and a wonderful warm and friendly family day was enjoyed by all, including the Joachim specialty – Stuffed Moneys at half time – thanks Jenny. As I sat, keeping my eye on Nick Riewoldt thinking about the past, I could imagine Bert and Harold collecting all the extended Joachim Family up in Heaven. Perhaps they have a big screen up there, sitting under the watchful eye of the Seven Angels of the Old Testament Uriel – Michael – Raquel – Saraquael – Ramiel – Gabriel and I said a little prayer to my special Angel, Raphael, who must have been listening because we won, St Kilda 18.17 Hawthorn 8.7 To Jenny, Katrina, Ron, Vanessa and the other people who contributed there are no adequate words of appreciation and admiration for what was achieved but there are two clichés that come to mind: One – “Nothing in this world can take the place of Persistence” And “The only truly satisfactory reward for doing anything worthwhile is to have done it” and you have !!! You did it!!! Shirley Chapman 2nd July, 2006. |