Like many avid collectors, Craig Meade’s connection to South Melbourne and the Sydney Swans is one that started at a young age. It wasn’t the senior side featuring the likes of Brownlow Medallist Fred Goldsmith that had the Meade family returning to Lakeside Oval each week in the ‘50s, but Meade’s uncle William who played in the third division.

Speaking to Sydney Swans Media, Meade recalled Saturdays spent at the footy.

“That’s how my connection with the club started. My Dad’s family started following South Melbourne because Billy played in the thirds,” he shared.

“Not the seconds or the seniors. Back in those days there were six games on a Saturday afternoon in Melbourne and one at 2:10pm at Waverley. So, we used to go to the football.”

When South Melbourne was forced to relocate to Sydney in 1982, Meade said his family chose to stay loyal to the red and white. Seven years later, a third generation of Swans fans were born, as was Meade’s fascination with collecting memorabilia.

“My son was born in 1995 and when he was a few years old I introduced him to footy cards,” he shared.

“He wasn’t getting too many cards because, you know, the Swans weren’t playing particularly well at that point. So, what I did is jumped on eBay and ended up buying him some footy cards.”

Meade says he was “hooked”, sparking the beginning of three decades of collecting. In the early days Meade would place ads in magazines and papers on the lookout for South Melbourne and Sydney Swans memorabilia. What started with footy cards quickly snowballed to papers, premiership caps, premiership medallions, life member medallions, stickers, photos, badges and pins.

“Basically, anything that was from yesteryear.”

The avid collector has made several donations to the Sydney Swans Foundation, which is currently funding the build of a new museum within Sydney Swans HQ, the Basil Sellers Richard Colless Centre.

“There’s three caps from a player that appeared in the 1888, ’89 and ‘90 premierships – they’re in mint condition. And the premiership medals from 1909, ’18 and ’33.”

“To see what else others have donated would be great.”

The museum project is being proudly supported by the Sydney Swans Foundation and fundraising is still required to complete the build. With just weeks before the opening, we need your support to finish this project. Donate to the Sydney Swans Foundation HERE. 

If you would like to learn more about the Museum project, read more HERE.

Please note the Museum is no longer accepting further memorabilia donations. Share your pieces with us virtually via our Antiques Roadshow.