Likely McBrien
Encyclopedia
Likely Herman "Like" McBrien OBE (7 December 1892 – 22 December 1956) was a leading Australian rules football
administrator in the Victorian Football League
(VFL) and a Victoria
n politician.
Likely McBrien was born on 7 December 1892 in South Melbourne
and educated at Middle Park Central School. In 1906 he commenced work as a messenger for The Age
newspaper. He served in World War I in a clerical capacity and was based in London. Following his discharge from the services in 1917 he resumed work at The Age, becoming assistant circulation manager and advertising manager. In 1922–29 he was secretary of the Authorised News Agents' Association of Victoria.
On 16 July 1919 he married Madge Margaret Summers at St Luke's Anglican Church, South Melbourne.
McBrien was an avid sportsman with a variety of interests. He played cricket and tennis, and later golf and bowls, and was a prominent rower. Australian rules football was the passion of his life. From 1909 to 1911 he was a player and treasurer of the Leopold Football Club (later the South Melbourne Football Club's second XVIII). He went on to a long career in football administration (see below).
He was a qualified accountant, and a fellow of the International Institute of Accountants and of the Institute of Commerce, England. In addition, he was a director of Disher & McBrien Pty Ltd.
Likely McBrien died of cerebral thrombosis on 22 December 1956 and was survived by his wife, daughter and son.
in 1943 as an Independent member for the province of Melbourne North. He served as commissioner of public works and vice-president of the Board of Land and Works in Ian MacFarlan
's short-lived ministry in 1945. One of his chief commitments was to campaign for the rehabilitation of returned servicemen. In 1949 he was defeated in the elections for the Legislative Council.
from 1912 and Secretary from 1922 to 1928.
He was VFL Secretary from 1929 to 1956. He was instrumental in the VFL buying its first head office, Harrison House, in Spring Street, Melbourne
, in 1929. He played a leading role in negotiations with the Melbourne Cricket Ground
(MCG) Trustees, which led to the Finals
being played at the MCG. He also campaigned strongly (but unsuccessfully) for the amalgamation of the VFL and the Victorian Football Association.
McBrien recruited other key administrators of the VFL, Eric McCutchan
and Jack Hamilton
.
in 1996.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
administrator in 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 a Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
n politician.
Likely McBrien was born on 7 December 1892 in South Melbourne
South Melbourne, Victoria
South Melbourne is an inner city suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 2 km south from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area are the Cities of Port Phillip and Melbourne...
and educated at Middle Park Central School. In 1906 he commenced work as a messenger for The Age
The Age
The Age is a daily broadsheet newspaper, which has been published in Melbourne, Australia since 1854. Owned and published by Fairfax Media, The Age primarily serves Victoria, but is also available for purchase in Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and border regions of South Australia and...
newspaper. He served in World War I in a clerical capacity and was based in London. Following his discharge from the services in 1917 he resumed work at The Age, becoming assistant circulation manager and advertising manager. In 1922–29 he was secretary of the Authorised News Agents' Association of Victoria.
On 16 July 1919 he married Madge Margaret Summers at St Luke's Anglican Church, South Melbourne.
McBrien was an avid sportsman with a variety of interests. He played cricket and tennis, and later golf and bowls, and was a prominent rower. Australian rules football was the passion of his life. From 1909 to 1911 he was a player and treasurer of the Leopold Football Club (later the South Melbourne Football Club's second XVIII). He went on to a long career in football administration (see below).
He was a qualified accountant, and a fellow of the International Institute of Accountants and of the Institute of Commerce, England. In addition, he was a director of Disher & McBrien Pty Ltd.
Likely McBrien died of cerebral thrombosis on 22 December 1956 and was survived by his wife, daughter and son.
Public life
McBrien held many public posts: chairman of the Edith Cavell Fund Trust, the Homes for Aged and Infirm Society, and the Yarra Bend National Park Trust; honorary treasurer of the Travellers' Aid Society and of the Victorian Anti-Sweating and Industrial Improvement League; executive-member of the Playgrounds and Recreation Association of Victoria; and trustee of the Heidelberg branch of the Returned Sailors', Soldiers' and Airmen's Imperial League of Australia.Political career
McBrien was elected to the Legislative CouncilLegislative Council
A Legislative Council is the name given to the legislatures, or one of the chambers of the legislature of many nations and colonies.A Member of the Legislative Council is commonly referred to as an MLC.- Unicameral legislatures :...
in 1943 as an Independent member for the province of Melbourne North. He served as commissioner of public works and vice-president of the Board of Land and Works in Ian MacFarlan
Ian MacFarlan
Ian MacFarlan was the Deputy Leader of the Australian Liberal Party in the Australian state of Victoria during 1945...
's short-lived ministry in 1945. One of his chief commitments was to campaign for the rehabilitation of returned servicemen. In 1949 he was defeated in the elections for the Legislative Council.
Football administration
He was a committee-member of South Melbourne Football ClubSydney Swans
The Sydney Swans Football Club is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Sydney, New South Wales. The club, founded in 1874, was known as the South Melbourne Football Club until it relocated to Sydney in 1982 to become the Sydney...
from 1912 and Secretary from 1922 to 1928.
He was VFL Secretary from 1929 to 1956. He was instrumental in the VFL buying its first head office, Harrison House, in Spring Street, Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, in 1929. He played a leading role in negotiations with the Melbourne Cricket Ground
Melbourne Cricket Ground
The Melbourne Cricket Ground is an Australian sports stadium located in Yarra Park, Melbourne and is home to the Melbourne Cricket Club. It is the tenth largest stadium in the world, the largest in Australia, the largest stadium for playing cricket, and holds the world record for the highest light...
(MCG) Trustees, which led to the Finals
Finals
Finals may refer to:* Final , the final stages of a sporting competition* Final examinations, tests given to students at the end of a course of study or training.* Finals , a four-issue comic book mini-series....
being played at the MCG. He also campaigned strongly (but unsuccessfully) for the amalgamation of the VFL and the Victorian Football Association.
McBrien recruited other key administrators of the VFL, Eric McCutchan
Eric McCutchan
Eric McCutchan was a leading Australian rules football administrator in the Victorian Football League .Beginning his administrative career with the VFL in 1932, McCutchan gave 44 years service to the league. From 1945 to 1955 he was Assistant Secretary of the VFL, and from 1956 he was Secretary,...
and Jack Hamilton
Jack Hamilton (footballer)
Jack Hamilton was an Australian rules football player in the Victorian Football League before becoming a prominent administrator....
.
Honours
McBrien was appointed O.B.E. in 1950. He was inducted to the Australian Football Hall of FameAustralian Football Hall of Fame
The Australian Football Hall of Fame was established in 1996, the Centenary year of the Australian Football League, to help recognise the contributions made to the sport of Australian rules football by players, umpires, media personalities, coaches and administrators. It was initially established...
in 1996.