Another 19/20 on the spot and off the top of his head. He particularly loved the stories that involved international trouble spots, car chases and narrow escapes. Sharing his life so publicly didnt come easily to him. Instead of a suit, he was wearing a dressing gown. Colleagues remember a man who played and lived hard, led a complicated personal life, but had a dazzling smile, loved a joke and was warm at heart. Were sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. Not only did Willesee share some special and memorable moments with his family, he also treasured their gifts much more than the awards he collected throughout his career, proving above all he was a family man. "Yes, it's one of the great disappointments of my life that I didn't succeed in having one long-running, successful, sharing marriage. Willesee is the son of the late Australian journalist Mike Willesee and brother of fellow journalist Amy Willesee. He taught us to value honesty, above all, to be honest, the son explained. He has had six children with three wives, survived a plane crash, fought alcoholism and found God. I don't look down on them in any way, as they do in many cases on people who believe.". "That's just their view against mine. For more than 50 years he's been one of Australia's most famous journalists, witnessing wars and disasters and interviewing some of the world's, A television pioneer, he found fame in the 1960s on ABC's. In a career spanning almost 60 years, Mr Willesee worked for the Perth Daily News, The Age in Melbourne, the infant This Day Tonight program on the ABC, the national broadcaster's Four Corners, started A Current Affair on Channel 9, headed spin-off programs like Willesee at Seven, and hosted numerous documentaries. Learn How rich is He in this year and how He spends money? Veteran journalist Mike Willesee has died at the age of 76 after a three-year battle with cancer. After completing his cadetship he moved to Los Angeles in 1991, freelancing for Sydney's The Sun-Herald newspaper as well as various US magazines. He also travelled the country as a reporter for A Current Affair (not related to Nine Network's programme of the same name). Scarlet fever and a fall into a fire soon followed, which meant he spent much of his first two years in hospital, separated from his mum, Gwendoline. Veteran journalist Mike Willesee has died age 76. In the first big interview we recorded with Mike, he was in relatively good shape. In 2002, Willesee became the 19th inductee into the TV Week Logies Hall of Fame. "It doesn't sound like it, but my throat now is actually getting better. He and our mothers worked really hard to protect us from that as kids, and I think they did a really good job. On 21 August 2006 Willesee appeared on Andrew Denton's TV show Enough Rope and spoke about his dedication to discovering what science can ascertain about the Shroud of Turin; specifically, whether it contains the blood of Jesus Christ. Mike Willesee (Michael Robert Willesee) was born on 29 June, 1942 in Perth, Australia, is an Australian journalist. Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. It has all the makings of an extraordinary tale and Mike has always wanted to tell it, but it wasn't until last year's diagnosis that the urgency kicked in. Feeling unwell that day, he had taken two diazepam pills on a doctor's advice, washing them down with two stiff Scotches. His career seemed to be on an ever-upward trajectory, but his personal life was more erratic. Mike Willesee's son delivered an emotional eulogy at his father's funeral on Friday, just one week after the veteran journalist lost his battle . He is a member of famous Producer with the age 77 years old group. With hindsight, Mike speculates that facing up to his own sin was probably the roadblock to returning to faith. His final major TV investigation was for Sevens flagship news and public affairs programme Sunday Night. Credit:Helen Nezdropa. After working at the Perth afternoon paper, The Daily News, and The Age in Melbourne, he joined the ABC's This Day Tonight program, and soon made his mark. In 1976 Mike married model Carol Brent with whom he would have three daughters, Amy, Lucy and Jo and their early years together were among Mike's happiest. Starting at 20-to-1 on a Wednesday at Randwick, Dad tipped essentially everyone on Hamilton Island, where he was on holiday. Get the news you want delivered to your inbox. "I would just care that there was still love that they feel some love for me and that they felt some from me. Just getting to Berry required an enormous effort from Dad, and we were all conscious how much it would take out of him. He was introverted, thoughtful, tender, faultlessly loyal and full of contradictions. Willesee at Seven later to become Willesee '81 and Willesee '82 before it ended in 1982 but Willesee began to produce documentaries for the network. And that's exactly what happened to former Liberal leader John Hewson. In 2017, The Australian Women's Weekly . One of the most significant interviews conducted by Willesee was the famous Birthday Cake Interview in 1993, with then leader of the Liberal Party, John Hewson. Amy tells a similar story for a school assignment on Fred Hollows and Pat OShane. He was gracious, fluent, expressive, mentally agile and utterly professional, and he met head-on in that final interview, some of the hardest challenges he had ever faced in his life, including his temporary descent into alcoholism. [1] Through his uncle, journalist and broadcaster Terry, the late author and cyclist Janet Shaw was his cousin. Image: Screenshot, Channel 7, 'Sunday Night'. Journalism which I think he was born to do. His voice wasn't strong, but it didn't fail. Willesee was the son of politician senator Don Willesee; Mike first came to prominence in 1967 as a reporter for then-new nightly current affairs program This Day Tonight ( TDT ), where his aggressive style quickly earned him a reputation as a fearless political interviewer. Five-centuries-old saffron and ginger found preserved in shipwreck off Sweden, Chinese migrants walked a gruelling 500km to Victoria's goldfields in the 19th century. Instead of make-up, a radiation mask was clamped unceremoniously over his face. In 1992, Willesee moved to New York, where he joined the US version of A Current Affair at Fox Television, and again filing stories for Australian TV. During the campaign, Willesee interviewed the then opposition leader on Channel Nine's A Current Affair program. When he was 51 years old, on his way to a documentary shoot in South Sudan, he had a sudden premonition that his plane was going to crash. He was shy, solitary even, and more often than not, preferred to be in his own company. To curate to the needs and wants of over-60s online and get members a better deal wherever possible through the power of our huge online community. If youd like to view this content, please adjust your Cookie Settings. With the 1993 Federal Election to take place in only ten days, Willesee asked Hewson numerous questions about the proposed Goods and Services Tax (GST) that the Coalition wished to introduce. Co-written with daughter Amy and her husband, Mark Whittaker. Mike Willesee's infamous interview on A Current Affair on March 3 that year, just 10 days before the poll, was said to have killed Mr Hewson's chances of becoming the next prime minister, when he was then Liberal Party Opposition Leader. Jana Wendt, Mike Willesee, Chris Masters and Bill Peach, presenters of the ABC's Four Corners. Many readers would be asking why he knew he still had so much to do. Gordana Poljak was his make-up artist for the 1998 Logies, and the pair got together when Mike was at a crossroads in his life. Faith and family were everything. "But I couldn't live with the fact that I was letting my life get out of control.". ", "I'm pretty confident I'm not going to hell, but purgatory scares me," says the 75-year-old veteran journalist, speaking to, "I know the rules of how you're supposed to behave, which I've failed for half my life. Holt's remarks backfired, as they provoked strong protests from both Willesee and the Australian Journalists' Association. That's why Hope 103.2 exists: to bring the message of hope to our community through a family-friendly, safe listening environment. "I didn't swear and I didn't fall over, I just couldn't read the autocue" but admits it was the wake-up call he needed. He taught us to value honesty and above all to be honest. Mike Willesees income source is mostly from being a successful Producer. Mike Willesee who has died at the age of 76 from cancer of the throat was a giant of current affairs journalism. Willesee is remembered by many Australians for the night when, filling in for Jana Wendt on A Current Affair, he fronted the show while appearing to be under the influence of alcohol. Willesee took home a Logie among the swag of awards he won through his career.Credit:Paul Harris PRH. The Mike Willesee question that turned the 'unlosable election'. In 1993, Willesee received public outrage for his controversial action of interviewing, via phone, two young children, a brother 11 and his sister 9 who were being held hostage, during the 1993 Cangai siege. When Mike agreed to film with Australian Story, his memoirs were soon to be published, and I went to have an initial chat with him at his home in Sydney. Mike had an affair with a translator in Vietnam in 1971, eventually leaving the marriage that had brought daughter Katie and son Michael into the world. Whether he meant to or not, Dad shaped our hearts and minds. On behalf of my siblings: Katie, Amy, Josh, Jo, and Rok Im going to try to give you a sense of Dad as we knew him of who he was to us. Michael Willesee Jr., Amy Willesee, Katie Willesee, Jo Willesee, Lucy Willesee. Career [ edit] On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Colleen's going to cook something that will make me healthy, in minutes you can see it happen before your eyes!". Mike tells countless stories from the heady days of the 1970s and '80s: his fury at being labelled a sex symbol, interviewing the likes of Bob Hope (cagey) and Sammy Davis Jr (needy) and rebuffing the advances of Sophia Loren. . Michael graduated from Charles Sturt University at the end of 1988, and joined Mojo Advertising where he worked closely with some of the giants of the industry including Alan Morris and Allan Johnston. "Mike Willesee was a great journalist, he made a huge contribution through Four Corners, A Current Affair and This Day Tonight. But he also loved an audience. His re-acquaintance with God was actually a far longer, more complex and carefully trodden path.It was one he would share with us, but never impose on us.If we were "good people", he would say, that was enough. Former 7.30 presenter Kerry O'Brien remembers that interview as "the turning point in the whole campaign for John Hewson". He was a bit of a benchmark for the journalistic community. He wasn't around much during the week, says Amy, but he devoted the weekends to family and friends, cuddling his kids and entertaining them with magic tricks. Fortunately Mike, cameraman Greg, the pilot and the two missionaries on board all survivedbut the plane was a wreck. Yet Mike says he isn't worried about the potential pain that awaits him, or even death itself; what he dreads most is God's judgement. "This 'gotcha' technique came to represent Michael Willesee at his brilliant best," Mr Marks said. "I liked her quietness and dignity," writes Mike. ", He gave Amy and Jo one of his strong, barrel-chested cuddles and said, "Isnt it good to be on a team where you know everyone has your back.". He is from Australia. He taught us to follow our passions - as he followed his passions. In early 2013 he interviewed billionaire casino owner James Packer.[7]. Grillita got up and the Hamilton Island TAB was decimated. Willesees aggressive journalistic style made him no stranger to controversy. It was courageous of him to do so. When his personal assistant of 40 years Susan Kane had cancer, he rang her every day to see how she was and organised for someone to do the washing and cleaning so that her girls neednt worry about it. Whats more, it had no power, water or sewerage connected and no road access. The two of them never managed to bridge the distance. Faced with losing his son, Don took Michael into the church and held him above the altar, making a promise to God, I give my son to you, he said But first, give him back to me. Thats a true story. Some wouldn't survive. He had no money. From then on, Mike enjoyed a speedy career rise, backing himself in the face of formidable bosses such as Sir Frank and Kerry Packer, his confidence seemingly unassailable. It began when, in his work as a lawyer, Ron was approached by Father Bill Aliprandi, a Catholic priest who wanted to buy a block of land to build a church and school. This strange and inexplicable happening in the tiny Bolivian township is one of several so-called miracles investigated by reporter Mike Willesee in a special Sunday Night report. Josh unfortunately scored 11/20 on a paper about the sugar industry in Bundaberg, the teacher complaining she didnt really understand it. Some wouldn't survive. In March 2014, Michael resigned from Sky News Australia to take up a job in the office of Treasurer Joe Hockey.[2]. This filly could really run, and no one knew it but Dad and his trainer. His voice was still weak. This is Willesee, the television presenter, conscious of his reputation as a tough investigator, a man who cannot be fooled by any confidence trick. Despite seeing astonishing miracles, it took Mike Willesee years to make a commitment to faith. Call for dognapping law with thieves off the leash, LUXE LISTINGS: Inside some of the hottest WA homes for sale, Treasurer should continue with care and caution. It's a trait his self-proclaimed "annoying little brother" Terry remembers fondly. [9], In 2017, Michael Willesee spoke about his battle with throat cancer on the TV program Australian Story. We received reports that he could hardly speak or swallow food, and there followed weeks of agonising waiting, before we were told that Mike was too weak to film with us. Get exclusive deals, discounts, news and more made just for you. Willesse's brother's are Don Willesse Jnr., and Terry Willesee, A TV presenter and journalist. Asked how he judges himself as a husband, he lets out a long, weary sigh. While not unexpected given his illness, news of Willesees death sent shock waves across Australia. He returned to Nine in 1984 to revisit the nightly current affairs genre with Willesee as well as producing specials for the network, winning a Logie for Most Popular Documentary in 1986. It's not an easy question to answer and it has got to be brutal when you've just been handed a grim prognosis but he seems to pride himself on his stoicism; he hasn't cried since he left his oncologist's office more than a year ago. We got ourselves a new video recorder, he deadpanned. I guess you cant please everyone all the time. She went to acting classes at night and Mike would sit up, seeking solace in alcohol. The journalists funeral was attended by a plethora of TV personalities includingA Current Affair host Tracy Grimshaw, Today show presenter Richard Wilkins and his girlfriend Virginia Burmeister and veteran journalist George Negus. AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time), abc.net.au/news/mike-willesee-highs-and-lows-of-life-australian-story/10865892. When his devoted sister Colleen flew over from Perth to help care for him, we filmed them together in his kitchen. "The quiet young woman in dark, demure clothing was replaced by an exotic, tattoo-covered woman, wearing hot clothes and looking good," he writes. Delivered by Michael Willesee Junior, St Mary's Cathedral, March 8, 2019. We were beginning to doubt that we would ever finish the film. In 1989 he was asked to fill in for Jana Wendt on. Or the time in Bogota, 1983 I think, Pablo Escobars thugs and a gang of corrupt cops on their tail. And I helped him try to fix the video recorder with a carving knife and a set of barbecue tongs. Mike Willesee was born on June 29, 1942 in Perth, Western Australia, Australia. Back then he was more a footballer than a journalist (at least he thought he was). The only source of water was . Its telling the only accolade displayed at home in his last few years was his Worlds Best Pa coffee mug awarded to him by his grandson Lucas, it just meant so much more, Willesee Jr said. In his fifties Willesee rediscovered the Roman Catholic faith of his upbringing. Veteran journalist Mike Willesee has died at the age of 76 after a three-year battle with cancer. It stole a great deal of our father from us. In spite of his involvement in the project, and his belief that God was working in the world, it was years before Mike Willesee was willing to make his own personal commitment to follow Christ. Through the '80s he was a huge figure in a time of huge racing figures - and he was an innovator, being among the first to tap the South American bloodlines. Also learn how He earned most of Mike Willesee networth? He was a producer and director, known for Sharks (1978), Hilton Bombing (1978) and Restraint (2008). He was excellent at hitting the mark for ordinary Australians, who weren't necessarily highly informed, who were looking to him to do the work for them, and he did.". (divorced) Like Tripoli 1979 Gaddafis henchmen running Mike and the crew down, only for the good guys to make it to the airport, split up and slip through the net. Many held the opinion that his actions were reckless and endangered the children's lives. Finally, weeks later we were told that his voice was starting to recover from the gruelling radiation therapy and yes, he would give us that vital second interview. His friends still joke about it and his family was shocked at first. But Willesee continued on Nine, and A Current Affair became a runaway success. There were other moments like this. The block of land in question was not even for sale. Almost all of the sequences we had hoped to film with him went out the window during that time. Hope 103.2 will be ready to celebrate what's good in society and culture. Mike rejects any suggestion that his newfound faith has affected his credibility. "Australian TV journalist Mike Willesee dies aged 76", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Michael_Willesee_Jr.&oldid=1136654169, This page was last edited on 31 January 2023, at 12:59. He was later promoted to anchor the Fox . He couldn't come into the studio, but he would film with us at home. Lynette Wallworth, Cherie Romaro and Mitch Torres receive . Mike Willesee was born on June 29, 1942 in Perth, Western Australia, Australia. Also learn how He earned most of Mike Willesee networth? Mr Hewson couldn't say whether or not a birthday cake would cost more or less with the proposed tax. He was first diagnosed with stage four throat cancer in 2016, and was soon accepted . It's hard to adequately frame just how important the Sydney Swans were to Dad, and to our whole family. Michael Robert Willesee, AO[1] (29 June 1942 1 March 2019) was an Australian television journalist, interviewer and presenter. He was known for a long-running friendship with a disabled boy named Quentin Kenihan, who had osteogenesis imperfecta. ", As Mike writes in his book, he may be dying, but everyone else is, too which means he may as well brush the prospect aside. Mike Willesee doing a spot on radio for Perths 6IX from Canberra in about 1966. According to David Leckie, Michael Willesee "wasn't just a television journalist he was a very successful businessman in packaging television programs," noting that Willesee owned and ran the business that produced A Current Affair. He died on March 1, 2019 in Australia. "She left me in late 2010.". (Just so you know, he was not a fan of Menzies protectionist stance.). TV and reporting legend Ray Martin has praised his long-time colleague Mike Willesee, saying while his death meant it was a "sad day", it was also a . Religion Stifles Faith in ABC Journalist Tom Tilleys Speaking in Tongues Memoir, The Power of the Word: How Language Transforms and Transcends, Win an In-Season Double Pass to See Living in Cinemas, Rediscovering Jesus Brand New Focus A Christian Growth Message, 5 Ways to Strengthen Your Family Finances, Women and Girls Suffering the Most In Global Food Crisis, Win a Double Pass to Elvis: A Musical Revolution at the State Theatre, Fighting Feelings and the Past Come Head-to-Head in Creed III. Willesee is the son of the late Australian journalist Mike Willesee and brother of fellow journalist Amy Willesee. Source: Twitter/ 7 News Melbourne and Getty, Veteran journalist Mike Willesee dies aged 76 after throat cancer battle. The job of interviewing the most renowned television interviewer of his generation turned out to be far less daunting than I feared. Michael Willesee "was the best television journalist that the country has even seen," former Nine and Seven boss David Leckie said on Friday. In the desolate landscape north of Perth, 10-year-old Mike was, "Looking back, I should have just called my father and told him to come and get me, but I never expected to get any help," he says. Discover today's celebrity birthdays and explore famous people who share your birthday. Australia's oldest running coal-fired power station is about to close. More broadly, O'Brien described Willesee as "an absolute trailblazer on Australian television". He never played a game in the seniors, and he must have told me a thousand times how he was an emergency three times, meaning not just a reserve, but if someone failed to overcome an injury he was straight in the starting side. Willesee figured prominently in the controversy that erupted over the decision in early 1967 by the Liberal government, led by Prime Minister Harold Holt, not to reappoint the ABC Chairman Dr James Darling. Mike Willesee who has died at the age of 76 from cancer of the throat was a giant of current affairs journalism. Michael Willesee Jr. is an Australian television journalist, who has worked in both print journalism and broadcasting. That's my deepest disappointment. The former A Current Affair host had been diagnosed with throat cancer in 2016 and struggled with the loss of his voice. Veteran Australian journalist Mike Willisee has sadly died after a long battle with throat cancer at the age of 76. "He clipped me over the ears more than once, but to me he will always be a champion. Now, he says, all the money and achievements are irrelevant. Willesee's career in television spanned five decades and he was considere. , money, salary, income, and assets. Source: Twitter/ 7 News Melbourne and Getty. Australian TV journalist Mike Willesee dies aged 76 Renowned journalist began his career at the ABC and worked on Four Corners before hosting A Current Affair on Channel Nine The TV reporter. Willesee later left Nine for a role as news and current affairs director at the 010 Network (now known as Network 10), where he also presented a weekly interview program. Mike said a short thankyou to what he describes as his maybe-God, and then got back to work. ", Meanwhile, Mike's father was an ambitious trade unionist-turned-senator in the. A bad interview with Mike Willesee could turn an "unlosable election". And then of course, there was the famous Willesee pause . Three-thousand words came off the top of his head and I got 19/20. Listen: Ron Tesoriero chats to Katrina Roe about Mike Willesee's final book and his spiritual search. Terry Willesee's Perth Presenter; Terry Willesee Tonight Presenter; A Current . In the final scene of this episode, Mike interviews, live on air, another gunman in another siege who, much to Mike's horror, subsequently shoots each of his hostages, the sounds of which are played live across Australia. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn, and work. His award-winning films covered diverse subjects including remote African tribes, true crime, religious phenomena and dangerous animals. He didnt believe in premonitions. Mike Willesee was born into the Catholic faith and spent many years trying to avoid what he later saw as his spiritual destiny. Willesee At Seven made way for work producing documentaries for the Seven Network, one of the most notable featuring disabled boy Quentin Kenihan. Dad simply responded, "Good. Traduzioni in contesto per "Poich sapevano" in italiano-spagnolo da Reverso Context: E i vagabondi che si aggiravano nelle fogne, scappavano al primo grugnito, poich sapevano che quei maiali avevano un debole. Journalist Mike Willesee pictured during the 1980s. The man who stood up to Frank Packer, proverbially went toe-to-toe with Muhammad Ali, just about single-handedly pole-axed Liberal Leader John Hewson's 1993 election campaign, was also a legendary lover and sometime bon vivant who developed strong religious beliefs in later age. A few years later, his high-school headmaster punched him to the ground. And he meant it. This decision was rumoured to have been the result of the government's anger over critical coverage of its policies on the ABC. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. Australian television presenter (19422019), Wife Carol Willesse's casting as Home and Away's original Pippa Fletcher, Oram, James "Home and Away: Behind the Scenes" p.. 28-45 published by, "Mr Michael Robert WILLESEE: Officer of the Order of Australia", "Willesee at Seven again Television.AU", "Enough Rope with Andrew Denton - episode 115: John Hewson", "Compass: The Conversion of Mike Willesee", "Enough Rope with Andrew Denton - episode 117: Michael Willesee", "Mike Willesee, giant of current affairs, lays bare his life or death cancer battle", https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/mike-willesee-dies-aged-76-20190301-p5116o.html, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mike_Willesee&oldid=1142522111, Short description is different from Wikidata, All Wikipedia articles written in Australian English, Pages using infobox person with multiple spouses, Pages using infobox person with multiple parents, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Joan Stanbury (divorced), Carol Willesee (divorced), Gordana Willesee (divorced), This page was last edited on 2 March 2023, at 21:50. [citation needed]. He hosted ABCs Four Corners from 1969-1971, before moving to the Nine Network to host A Current Affair. Speaking on ABC TV on Friday, Mr Hewson reflected on the question that dogged him for years. Katya's spiritual adviser, Father Renzo, later sat Mike down for an impromptu confession and his conversion was complete. "When others spoke too much, he said only what was necessary the short, sharp question which everyone was thinking, but no-one dared ask. As followers of Jesus in whom all things were made, we acknowledge the Darug people as the Traditional Custodians of the Country where our Station is located. After living in Sydney, Australia and her married to Willesee she again took up modelling, but instead decided she wanted to become an actress and trained a 3 year drama course at the Ensemble Acting Studio. "It's a much more warts-and-all view than what you would get through the television.". His net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. And that is one of Dads greatest enduring gifts to us. The result was a fittingly open, honest account of a truly remarkable life. A new 'veloway' is welcome news for Melbourne's cyclists. A 20-something self-described "shit-stirrer", he aggravated politicians, and won viewers, with his adversarial interviews. He loved telling stories: usually about himself. Throughout the eulogy Willesee Jr gave an insight into his fathers day-to-day life, telling mourners about the things his father had taught his children throughout his life, noting how important family was to the legendary journalist. When he did, he felt a heaviness come off my shoulders. Mike Willesees son delivered an emotional eulogy at his fathers funeral on Friday, just one week after the veteran journalist lost his battle with throat cancer. Firstly, thank you all for coming. "And so, with a prayer and a punt, that's what I'll do," he writes. Amy caught him cutting what he thought to be a block of cheese. But will it be safer for women? So, back to what he taught us. Most of his story remained untold. I often wondered if he bought the Swans just so he could make a comeback. Mike Willesee on Australian Story in 2017. He taught us important things like how to bodysurf, and how to cook a BBQ for a big family get-together. He is still unrepentant. He taught us important things like how to body surf and how to cook a barbecue for a big family gathering and he really taught us the importance of family getting together for those gatherings.. He spent more than fifty years working as a journalist across newspapers, radio, television and documentaries. They were very lucky to survive that one. "It was a huge about-turn," explains Amy, "but he's never tried to push it on us and we've never tried to pull him away.". per la carne umana. However, in 1993 he also received public backlash for his reckless telephone interview of two young children who were being held hostage. A bad interview with him could turn an "unlosable election". He joined the Seven Network in 1975 and hosted the first Australian version of This Is Your Life. I think one of Dads best moments was when Leo Barry took that mark in 2005 and the Swans won the flag. Dad played reserves for South Melbourne in the early '60s. Mike was a talented football player and a bright student, but he was at the mercy of some violent, unethical Christian Brothers. Mar 01, 2019 2:56pm.