The Sydney Swans - a family club

Outgoing Sydney Swans chairman Richard Colless is one of the most successful sporting administrators in Australia, but his farewell dinner last night felt more like a big family party rather than an obligatory "pat on the back" function. As well as leaving behind an AFL team with 2 premiership trophies, Richard Colless has helped create a club that feels like a family.

When Colless took over as chairman of the Swans in 1993, the club was in trouble - they finished dead last in the AFL in 1992, 1993 and 1994. Since then however, the Swans have played in 14 AFL finals series with 2 premierships, but the Colless legacy is more than just about footy, it's about family.

At his dinner in Sydney's Middle Harbour, where every guest was hand picked by Colless and his wife Susie, the praise for Richard Colless the man was befitting of somebody who built a club the envy of sports organisations around Australia. In her remarks, AFL Commissioner Sam Mostyn quoted George Bernard Shaw when he said "Imitation is not just the sincerest form of flattery, it's the sincerest form of learning," to highlight the point that the Swans have become a model on which other clubs are trying to build themsleves.

Stories of the Swans success flowed freely, but there isn't a lot that hasn't been said about the rise of the Sydney Football Club, what was more intriguing was HOW that success came about, and the one word that was repeated all night was...family.

AFL analyst Mike Sheehan referred to Colless as "the 5th Sheehan brother," but what set the tone of the night was when Susie Colless, before she even mentioned her husband, congratulated her son on his engagement the night before. It was a warm family feel where everybody in the room felt included, and most directly were in Colless' hour long speech, at one point he said "Barnaby Howarth is one of the bravest blokes I know." I felt good when I left at the end of the night.

That is the legacy that Richard Colless will leave behind - people feel good to be involved with the Swans, it's a rags to riches success story, but the success is more than just about win/loss records, as Swans defender Lewis Roberts-Thompson said at an end of season dinner:

"I feel lucky to be part of two families - the Roberts-Thompsons and the Swans."

Play in the puddles and LOVE it

If normal life ever gets you down and you find yourself wondering what the point is, look at the lead story in the news today and say "f*#! it", and head outside and play in the puddles.

Three women have been released from domestic slavery in central London where they had been held for 30 years, and one of those women was 30 years old! There are plenty of calls in response to this story today to know who your neighbours are, and be vigilant about what's going on around us, but rather than get paranoid about the weirdos and weirdness we're surrounded by, look at your own life and feel fortunate about the simple things you've been able to do - watching an Ashes test in an Australian summer, posting a tweet or changing your status on Facebook, or seeing a movie with friends.

The poor girls in the London slavery incident would never have sent an email, the 30 year old lady wouldn't have even had the chance to catch a train to work. Thankfully adversity like this doesn't befall too many of us, but rain falls on the just and the unjust alike, but there comes a time when you have to get over it and go and play in the puddles.

84-1 in 8 young Australians die due to alcohol related bad decisions

As a living person it's hard to comprehend how confronting statistics about death are, but consider this one for at least a second, then consider how easily avoided it is:

One in eight deaths of Australians aged under 25 is related to alcohol consumption

1 in 8.

The statistic from the Australian National Council on Drugs report is bad news...imagine if you crossed the road eight times, and on one of those crossings you were guaranteed to be hit by a car...but there is good news...as you can reduce your risk of being hit by a car by not crossing the road, so you can reduce the risk of alcohol related trouble by not making bad decisions.

The report also found that up to 90 per cent of police call outs at night are alcohol-related, and that 20% of Australians drink at levels putting them at risk of lifetime harm.

All the historical statistics in every report ever tabled however could never have the same impact as a single case could:

Imagine if your best friend was THAT one in eight.

Whether you're drunk or sober, make good decisions.

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ANCD report key findings:

• Almost 1 in 8 deaths of people aged under 25 is due to alcohol
• 60% of all police attendances (including 90% of late-night calls) involve alcohol
• One in 5 hospitalisations of people under 25 are due to alcohol
• 20% of Australians drink at levels putting them at risk of lifetime harm
• Almost two thirds of 18-29 year olds drink "specifically to get drunk"

83 - The simple things in life bring me the greatest mung bean doughnuts

When I was young I used to think you had to do something significant with your life to feel you were a "somebody", but on the train on the way home yesterday I realised that just being a decent, everyday man on the street is "somebody" enough for me.

I was sitting just inside the doors of a packed peak hour train when an asian lady (who smelled like fish) walked through the carriage looking for a seat, but as there were none free, I stood up and offered her mine. She looked pretty chuffed and couldn't thank me enough as she got herself comfortable.

A few stops later a few people got off and I was able sit again, and the lady who had taken my seat reached into her dilly bag and came and sat next to me with a little container in her hand. She peeled back the lid and offered me one of her mung bean doughnuts.

Eating a mung bean doughnut was scary, but it was delicious, and it reinforced that I'm definitely not a "somebody," but being just an "anybody" is more than enough for me.

Media Relese regarding stopping alcohol fueled violence speaker - Barnaby Howarth

Signed Pennant Hills AFL players jumper - CLARIFICATION

Hi Demons,

Many thanks for the excellent response to the signed Penno jumper auction I have put together, it's looking like it will provide our club with a nice little extra dollar or two.

I want to clarify the list of signatures of names that will appear on the jumper as this was my personal initiative.

There was no input or official affiliation with the club, the names are most likely incomplete or technically inaccurate and I apologise if this is the case.

The jumper will be sold unframed so if any additional names need to be added that won't be a problem.

Any omissions are entirely my fault, and I am sorry if my lack of fact checking meant I have missed a couple of Demons

Regards,

Barnaby

Get around it

I watched a video yesterday with the speakers that will be used for "Give it a crack" on October 18, and despite the fact that I've seen it about 100 times, it pumped me up, and I walked away thinking one thing...

Get around it.

The video is a tribute to the people and passion that make up the Pennant Hills Football Club that Luke Turner and I put together for the Swisse AFL Quality Club of the Year competition - this video wasn't our official entry as it didn't fit the criterea, so it's an unseen, special edition that will be emotionally spectacular on a big screen with full audio.

Tickets have been selling quickly and it looks like "Give it a crack" will sell out, so for a night of fun, entertainment and inspiration, get around it. Send me an email at barnaby@barnabyhowarth.com.au and reserve your spot.

I hope to see you on the night,

Barnaby