For the past 40 years, two generations of the Seen family have been involved in the Launceston Football Club’s AFL grand final breakfast.
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Club life member and volunteer Wayne ‘Choppy’ Seen has been there from the very start in 1969 at the Criterion Hotel.
“There’s only one breakfast I missed. In 2010, when I went over to watch Collingwood win the grand final,” Seen said.
“I love the place and the club.”
The only major change to the breakfast had been the struggle to find volunteers.
Most of the people volunteering for the breakfast had been involved for several years, he said.
He hoped more people would put their hands up to pitch in for the breakfast at the club.
The event continues to attract a crowd, with more than 150 people enjoying a breakfast beer on Saturday.
Seen put that down to good value and quality speakers.
Collingwood Premiership player Peter Daicos, cyclist Matt Goss and comedian Evan Hocking spoke at the event, which was hosted by Flash Lithgow from 7am.
Seen started out in the club as a player in 1965, continuing his passion for football beyond his playing years.
His passion for developing players meant he continued to donate to a weekly cup for the most valuable player on the team, as voted by the players as well as sponsoring other players for several years.
“It’s a bit of fun,” Seen said.
His nephew and Launceston Football Club bar manager Craig Seen has been working at the grand final breakfast for the past 40 years.
The event was a major fundraiser for the club, helping to pay for coaches, players and other running costs, Seen said.
“It’s handy to kick start the next season.”
While the club’s breakfast was rarely advertised, it was never hard to fill up all the tables, Seen said.
“They don’t drink as much champagne anymore, people are being more responsible with driving these days.”
The club had a rich history as one of the oldest football clubs in the country after starting in 1875, he said.
Tess Brunton
I recently returned from across the ditch where I worked at New Zealand Fairfax paper The Timaru Herald and developed a love of mountains. Originally I'm a mainlander from an area known for cheese, the Bega Valley, who also dabbled in radio at ABC RCAFF before finding a place in newspapers. I can often be found hiking, caving or climbing when I'm not cursing at my work computer or technology in general.
I recently returned from across the ditch where I worked at New Zealand Fairfax paper The Timaru Herald and developed a love of mountains. Originally I'm a mainlander from an area known for cheese, the Bega Valley, who also dabbled in radio at ABC RCAFF before finding a place in newspapers. I can often be found hiking, caving or climbing when I'm not cursing at my work computer or technology in general.
