Joe Blair
Encyclopedia
Joe C. Blair known as J. C. Blair and JCB, was president of the Melbourne Football Club
, treasurer of the Melbourne Cricket Club
, vice-president of the Victorian Football League
(VFL) and deputy chairman of the Vacuum Oil Company
.
. Bowles was another sport at which he excelled.
for 41 years. In that time he worked as a clerk, assistant accountant, chief clerk, chief accountant, with the financial directorate and finally as deputy chairman of the company for eight years. He retired on 31 May 1946.
for 18 years, from 1929, taking over the presidency from Vernon Ransford
, until his death in 1946, when he was succeeded by William Flintoft
. He was made a life member of the club prior to 1943. During his time as president Blair met and convinced star West Australian player, Stan "Pops" Heal
, to play for the club for the 1941 season
. Although Heal only played eight games, he contributed to Melbourne winning their third consecutive premiership.
During the time he was president of Melbourne, Blair was also vice-president of the Victorian Football League
, of which he became a life member.
Committee in 1929. He became treasurer on 29 July 1941 and served in that position until his death. He was made a life member in 1945.
plays Adelaide University Cricket Club for the "J. C. Blair Trophy", in an annual Intervarsity match. The trophy was first awarded in 1949, when it was presented by Blair's son Syd, a Melbourne University player.
Melbourne Football Club
The Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Demons, is an Australian rules football club playing in the Australian Football League , based in Melbourne, Victoria....
, treasurer of the Melbourne Cricket Club
Melbourne Cricket Club
The Melbourne Cricket Club is a sporting club based in Melbourne, Australia. It was founded in 1838 and is regarded as the oldest sporting club in Australia....
, vice-president of the Victorian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
(VFL) and deputy chairman of the Vacuum Oil Company
Vacuum Oil Company
Vacuum Oil Company was an American oil company known for their Gargoyle 600-W Steam Cylinder Oil. Vacuum Oil merged with Socony Oil to form Socony-Vacuum Oil Company, and is now a part of ExxonMobil.-History:...
.
Early life
Blair had an outstanding school sporting career and was the Victorian mixed doubles champion in tennis three times. He also won the singles and doubles championship of South Australia and regularly partnered Sir Norman BrookesNorman Brookes
Brookes was also an Australian rules footballer in his youth, playing two matches for Victorian Football League club St Kilda Football Club in 1898, kicking two goals.-Honours:Norman Brookes was knighted "in recognition of service to public service" in 1939...
. Bowles was another sport at which he excelled.
Vacuum Oil
Blair was associated with Vacuum Oil CompanyVacuum Oil Company
Vacuum Oil Company was an American oil company known for their Gargoyle 600-W Steam Cylinder Oil. Vacuum Oil merged with Socony Oil to form Socony-Vacuum Oil Company, and is now a part of ExxonMobil.-History:...
for 41 years. In that time he worked as a clerk, assistant accountant, chief clerk, chief accountant, with the financial directorate and finally as deputy chairman of the company for eight years. He retired on 31 May 1946.
Football
Blair was the president of the Melbourne Football ClubMelbourne Football Club
The Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Demons, is an Australian rules football club playing in the Australian Football League , based in Melbourne, Victoria....
for 18 years, from 1929, taking over the presidency from Vernon Ransford
Vernon Ransford
Vernon Seymour Ransford was an Australian cricketer who played in 20 Tests between 1907 and 1912. His best series was the 1909 tour of England when he topped the Australian batting averages, helped by a career best score of 143 not out. The following year he was a Wisden Cricketer of the Year...
, until his death in 1946, when he was succeeded by William Flintoft
William Flintoft
William Morris Flintoft , commonly called Bill Flintoft, was an Australian rules football player with the Melbourne Football Club and the St Kilda Football Club in the Victorian Football League . He played Victorian Premier Cricket for the Melbourne Cricket Club. Flintoft also served in the First...
. He was made a life member of the club prior to 1943. During his time as president Blair met and convinced star West Australian player, Stan "Pops" Heal
Stan Heal
Stan "Pops" Heal was an Australian rules footballer who played for Melbourne in the Victorian Football League as well as West Perth in the West Australian National Football League during the 1940s and early 1950s.Heal played his best football as a wingman but was also used on occasions as a rover...
, to play for the club for the 1941 season
1941 VFL season
Results and statistics for the Victorian Football League season of 1941.-Premiership season:In 1941, the VFL competition consisted of twelve teams of 18 on-the-field players each, plus one substitute player, known as the 19th man...
. Although Heal only played eight games, he contributed to Melbourne winning their third consecutive premiership.
During the time he was president of Melbourne, Blair was also vice-president of the Victorian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
, of which he became a life member.
Cricket
Blair became a member of the Melbourne Cricket ClubMelbourne Cricket Club
The Melbourne Cricket Club is a sporting club based in Melbourne, Australia. It was founded in 1838 and is regarded as the oldest sporting club in Australia....
Committee in 1929. He became treasurer on 29 July 1941 and served in that position until his death. He was made a life member in 1945.
Legacy
Blair was inducted into the Melbourne Football Club's Hall of Fame in 2008, as a 'Pioneer and Administrator'. The University of Melbourne Cricket ClubUniversity of Melbourne Cricket Club
The University of Melbourne Cricket Club, often called simply "University", plays the sport of cricket in the elite club competition of Melbourne, Australia, known as Victorian Premier Cricket. The club was founded in 1856 and played its first season of premier cricket in 1906–07. Known as...
plays Adelaide University Cricket Club for the "J. C. Blair Trophy", in an annual Intervarsity match. The trophy was first awarded in 1949, when it was presented by Blair's son Syd, a Melbourne University player.