“Brilliant, resilient, courageous and scrupulously fair” – that’s how triple Brownlow Medallist and nine-time Swans Club Champion Bob Skilton has been described on a plaque accompanying a sculpture unveiled in his honour at Melbourne’s Lakeside Stadium.
More than 140 guests turned out on Thursday to celebrate the special occasion at the South Melbourne office of the Sydney Swans.
Among the guests were Sydney Swans coach John Longmire, captain Josh Kennedy, past and present Swans players, Swans CEO and Managing Director Andrew Ireland, chairman Andrew Pridham and members of the Board, former chairman Richard Colless, Bloods Legend Peter Bedford, and club greats including Ron Barassi, Paul Roos and Michael O’Loughlin.
The sculpture, by artist Cathy Weiszmann, was made possible by philanthropist and long-time Sydney Swans supporter Basil Sellers, who was behind theBasil Sellers Sports Sculpture Project which installed bronze sporting heroes around the SCG.
An emotional Bob Skilton said he felt humbled by the occasion.
“It’s not often that I feel this way, but I am overwhelmed by the reaction of everyone – I do feel immensely thankful and immensely proud,” he said.
“I never imagined this, and I hope I have been able to give to football as much as it has given to me.”
Sydney Swans chairman Andrew Pridham has paid tribute to the Legend.
“The Sydney Swans, our 1.2 million supporters, our 60,000 members, our players, coaches and administrators past and present, all share a love and admiration for Bob Skilton,” Pridham said.
“It’s people like Bobby, those who endure, shine, stay loyal and inspire, who laid the foundations for the success of our club, today and into the future.
“Today we are privileged to witness the unveiling of a sculpture of an ordinary man who grew into a legend. It’s a sculpture made of bronze for a man with a character as strong as steel and a heart of gold. Thankyou Bobby Skilton, you will always be revered.”
In 1995, the Sydney Swans renamed their Club Champion award the Bob Skilton Medal, in honour of the man whose remarkable career spanned 237 games between 1956-71. His many accolades include:
- 3 x Brownlow Medallist (1959, ’63 and ’68)
- 9 x Sydney Swans club champion (1958-59, 1961-65 and 1967-68. He also finished 2nd three times and 3rd once, meaning he placed in the top three in 13 of his 15 seasons)
- 3 x South Melbourne leading goal kicker (1959, ’62 and ’63)
- Legend, AFL Hall of Fame (1996)
- Bloods Legend, Sydney Swans Hall of Fame (2009)
- Represented Victoria in 25 state games
- Swans coach for 35 games (1965-66)
- Sydney Swans Team of the Century, (captain)
- AFL Team of the Century (rover)
- Medal of the Order of Australia (2018)
The Sydney Swans would like to thank both Basil Sellers and the State Sports Centre’s Trust, the governing body who manages the Lakeside Stadium precinct, for their assistance in making the Bob Skilton sculpture possible.
