Being a good leader in any field of endeavour is a worthy attribute and one that is highly undervalued in today’s society.

I’ve probably learned more from poor leaders than I have from the good ones in terms of  how NOT to execute things but it still hasn’t made me exempt from making plenty of poor choices sadly.

Fortunately I’ve had enough positive influences in my life to keep me on the straight and narrow. I’d like to pay tribute to some of those who I have crossed paths with in the past sixty two years who have excelled at authentic leadership that I have admired.

In no particular order, when it comes to footy, Donald McDonald and Leon Harris, my two coaches at Werribee FC, always led by example.

In school, my grade seven teacher George Kieran and in high school, my English teacher Liz Prescott who encouraged me to write, not fight.

In the army, Staff Sergeant Dennis Donovan, a Vietnam Veteran whose shared sliding doors moment prevented me going home to WA post being in hospital at basic training and Warrant Officer Class 1 Len Avery, another Vietnam Veteran and a giant of a man both physically and intellectually.

In business, Eddie Harris and Drew Pearce. Two different companies and individuals but always positive and willing to embrace my idiosyncrasies….to a point!

I’m not a religious person but there is also another level for me and it’s an old term of reference, ‘Reverential’.

Not that any of the leaders I’ve mentioned don’t have the values and behaviours I’m about to mention, it’s just that when I’ve met the following people, and often it has been for a very short time, I’ve found them to be exceptional individuals.

Often what they deliver in conversation is unpredictable, enlightening and usually leaves you walking away feeling smarter!

The best way to describe them is via some of the values and behaviours I’ve witnessed over the years from these guys.

Composed, honest, humble, empathetic, resilient, non-judgemental, considered, funny, self-deprecating, brave, selfless, measured, an active listener and assertive when required.

Here is a list of the ‘Reverentials’ that I’ve crossed paths with in my life. A big Hi and thankyou to each of them if they read this.

  • Neale Daniher. Most fans of Neale wouldn’t know he had a season with Werribee FC in 1991 after a couple of years away from the game with his dodgy knees. He played most games that year and still starred despite such a big impediment. More importantly he left an indelible impression on the club by just being Neale, with his natural leadership. When he returned to Melbourne from WA having been diagnosed with MND, our former coach Leon Harris and Assistant Coach Bernie Sheehy organised lunches for Neale and past players. I was fortunate to attend a few and they were a lot of fun. Everyone I’m sure is aware of Neale’s story and what you see with him is what you get. His eyes pierce straight through you when you talk to him and I’ve never met a more optimistic person in my life. A man of faith, Neale has enormous belief and purpose. No wonder his nickname at Melbourne FC was ironically, The Reverend.
  • Bruce McHenry. I’ve known my brother-in-law since I was fifteen. A former engineer, he made a call early on when my sister had their three young boys, to escape Melbourne and set up life on Phillip Island. Nothing Bruce does is half-arsed or on a whim. He is the definition of measured. An incredible work ethic and totally selfless, among many other things he was president of The Relay For Life event for a few years in Cowes. He never panics and is always the first person I go to for practical advice. He has inspired a catch phrase I use when I’m in strife, “What would Bruce do?” A worthy Reverend indeed.
  • David Parkin. I accidentally bumped into Mr Parkin a number of times over my coaching career, to the point where I wrote a two part story about it (see below). It led to a memorable breakfast in Kew, where all my perceptions of the great man through what I had observed on TV and radio, came to fruition. Such an engaging and intelligent man with a passion for education and the game of footy. Goes without saying Parko is a legend and a certified Reverend.

https://isowilson.com/stalking-david-parkin-part-1/

https://isowilson.com/stalking-david-parkin-part-2/

  • Doug and Elaine Murphy. Doug and Elaine were my ‘in-laws’ during the late 80’s and lived in Benalla. Sadly both have passed now, but their kindness will never be forgotten. They raised five high achievers and were seen as pillars of the Benalla community. Doug, a Stock and Station Agent was a man of faith and frankly a bit intimidating for the first year of knowing him. I guess I’m a bit like that now with any prospective boyfriends of my daughters, but as time grew, I loved spending time with him. Elaine was a home-maker extraordinaire, humble and a legend within the Benalla Lawn Tennis Club. They both possessed quiet wisdom, and always made you feel at home. Vale Doug and Elaine, undoubtedly worthy Reverends.
  • Kevin O’Keefe. I know I’ll never hear the end of this but ‘Kezel’ fits this category of Reverend for me. We played in two QAFL premierships together for Coorparoo but I’ve always been a bit nervous around him. Not scared, just a bit on edge. I always found it difficult to get close to Kezel but I know he’d be the first to have your back. I respect him to the point of adoration maybe, I’m not sure, but one thing is a constant with the ‘K Man’, he gives very little away. Many I’m sure will remember the accidental collision in 1977 he had with Neil Sachse and even in Neil’s biography by Michael Sexton, ‘Playing On’, Kezel said very little. I can only imagine what it must have been like for him over these years dealing with that tragic day, but what I can say is that Kezel and Neil became great friends prior to Neil’s death in 2020. Being the fitness fanatic he is, Kezel was involved in fund raising bike rides for Neil’s Centre For Spinal Research which raised hundreds of thousands of dollars. One of ten kids from the Western District in Victoria, clearly with no television, Kezel, was a great team mate, fearless and an unstoppable force on and off the ground. Yeah…ok, he’s a Reverend and I’ll cop it at our next lunch for sure. This is him flanked by myself and one of his Coorparoo proteges, champion defender Greg Page in Melbourne last year. Kezel also played a significant mentoring role with two other young local stars at the time, Michael Gibson and Jason Dunstall who were both drafted after the 1984 premiership.
  • Peter Cullen. The founder of Reclink is one of the most determined and passionate people I’ve ever met. I could imagine him as a trainer in the corner of a boxing bout. “I need you to throw in the towel Pete.” “No way, you’ve got plenty left in the tank son.” Peter has given so much back to Melbourne’s disenfranchised over the decades that if there is such a thing as heaven, he will be on a first class ticket when he leaves this mortal coil. A lay down mazaire for Reverend. This is a photo of Peter busy with a Reclink Day at Werribee FC.
  • John Harms. Author, broadcaster, teacher, historian and founder of The Footy Almanac, a vehicle for passionate writers and hacks like myself to publish stories. Again I’ve only had a few interactions with John but I doubt whether I’ve met a more caring and engaging person in my life. I’m sure the Almanac community, most of whom have been contributing for 20+ years would all say the same. He organises lunches and events from his base in The Barossa and is a master MC. He has been doing a final edit on my partner Lynda’s book and she can’t speak highly enough of his mentoring and professionalism. Whether it’s John’s faith or maybe it’s his immaculate bouffant of curls on his noggin, I’m not sure but there’s something special about this Reverend, even if he does barrack for the Cats. This is John in his element MC’ing an Almanac Grand Final Eve lunch.

The biggest learning I’ve gleaned from the aforementioned is that no matter the length of an interaction, it’s important to listen and be authentic at all times because you CAN make a difference in someone’s life when you least expect it.

As Neale would say, “play on”.