Every Heart Beats True

Every Heart beats True

It always nice to think you’re part of something special a once off and today certainly felt like that. I was glad to be in attendance today as Melbourne said goodbye to one of its most beloved sons Jim Stynes. A man that was held as dearly in the hearts Melbournians, as those back home. I’ve learnt a lot about Jimmy (as he was affectionately known) since his passing, I had heard of him but I didn’t know much about him nor did I know how much he had affected the citizens of Melbourne.

His Career stats read like a story from Roy of the Rovers. We all know about his amazing ability as an Australian Rules footballer, a talented ruckman that went on to set a record number of consecutive appearances for the Melbourne Demons, 244 - over 11 years. Going on to be the 1^st foreigner to win the AFL’S highest honour, a Brownlow medal in 1991.

In total playing 264 matches for the Demons, since making he made his senior debut with the club in 1987. In later years, he took over as chairman of the club in mid-2008, when the AFL’s oldest club was in dire financial straits and steered them to financial stability.

He will be equally remembered for what he achieved off the field as on it, mainly his work with the Reach Foundation. A foundation helping the troubled & the homeless youth of Melbourne reach their full potential.

It was truly touching to hear Brian Stynes opening reflection about his recently deceased older brother. About how the whole family would wait anxiously for Jim’s weekly call home to Dublin, how his brothers & sisters would line the stairs waiting their turn to speak with their brother far away. It really is an amazing story and testament to the man, having left Ireland at 18 years of age to try settle on the far side of the world, millions of miles away from home. How many since Jim have failed in their transition from the world of GAA to the world of AFL? 

A story that is again all too familiar with both me and the current raft of fellow Irish exiles.  However it must have been much more difficult for any leaving home back in the 80’s, they didn’t have any of the home comforts of today’s immigrants the internet, facebook, Skype, etc.  It seems that Jim took it all in his 6ft 7” stride. It is truly amazing how he turned his raw physical and general talent from the fields of GAA to the ovals of Australia. From the videos I’ve seen of him, he was an amazing rangy athlete, powerful & graceful under a high ball. He’d seemed well at ease with the much hyped physical side of the AFL, easily matching the Aussies at their own game.

It’s amazing that over the past couple of weeks, it feels that I’ve gotten to know a man that I never met or saw in the flesh. That is due in no part to the various Australian TV networks fantastic and touching coverage of his career and his personal life his ongoing battle with cancer since been diagnosed with the disease. 

From what I have seen of him since his death he came across as a touching and caring human being, a driven and talented man, that cared as much for his family and friend as those strangers he was only too willing to help, a single man that affected the lives of thousands.  All in all a true inspiration, an inspiration for any young person currently down here trying to forge a life of their own.

Jim Stynes 1966 - 2012 
May he rest in peace, Ar dheis de go raibh siad.