"Just a man called Phonse" by Des Tobin

[kangaroo7]

Anyone read this book yet? I bought it three days ago and have almost finished it. Essentially a biography of Phonse Tobin, well known funeral director and past North Melbourne president. Written by his son Des, it covers the family history, how Phonse started his business with his brothers, and the turbulent times when he was at North.He beat Ern Kaiser for the presidency two years in a row when the elections held at the AGM could be very emotional. Unfortunately became disillusioned and left the club when North elected to return to Arden St after the Coburg debacle and would not consider an offer from StKilda cricket club to move to the Junction Oval.

Also includes the story of how North became the kangaroos. Great read.

 

[Gasometer]

Anyone read this book yet? I bought it three days ago and have almost finished it. Essentially a biography of Phonse Tobin, well known funeral director and past North Melbourne president. Written by his son Des, it covers the family history, how Phonse started his business with his brothers, and the turbulent times when he was at North.He beat Ern Kaiser for the presidency two years in a row when the elections held at the AGM could be very emotional. Unfortunately became disillusioned and left the club when North elected to return to Arden St after the Coburg debacle and did not consider an offer from StKilda cricket club to move to the Junction Oval.

Also includes the story of how North became the kangaroos. Great read.

Do tell about the Kangaroos please?

 

[kangaroo7]

Do tell about the Kangaroos please?

The kangaroo mascot was adopted by the club in 1950, but no one took much notice. Many fans still referred to the club as "shinboners", a term that Tobin hated. In 1954 he obtained a 3 meter high papier mache kangaroo which had been used by Coles in a window display to celebrate the royal visit that year. The kangaroo took pride of place in the dressing room and was pushed around the ground on match days with a couple of supporters holding a blanket to catch coin donations thrown from the crowd. It eventually wore out and broke up, but it served its purpose to popularise the nickname "kangaroos".

 

[Snake_Baker]

Where can I get the book K7?

 

[kangaroo7]

Where can I get the book K7?

From Des Tobin's website destobin.com.au. I downloaded the e-book version on Sunday for $6.47. Finished reading it yesterday.

 

[King Corey]

Unfortunately became disillusioned and left the club when North elected to return to Arden St

That's almost a prerequisite for being a past North Melbourne president.

 

[gokangas]

Tobin's have a long history of supporting the NMFC.

 

[marklovesbeer]

The kangaroo mascot was adopted by the club in 1950, but no one took much notice. Many fans still referred to the club as "shinboners", a term that Tobin hated. In 1954 he obtained a 3 meter high papier mache kangaroo which had been used by Coles in a window display to celebrate the royal visit that year. The kangaroo took pride of place in the dressing room and was pushed around the ground on match days with a couple of supporters holding a blanket to catch coin donations thrown from the crowd. It eventually wore out and broke up, but it served its purpose to popularise the nickname "kangaroos".

Love that.