Some of those who have shared his story and have been closest to him have worn the red and blue, too. They are part of a fantastic fraternity - the Melbourne Football Club’s past players. Rod Grinter, who like Jim is a supreme organiser of people, was amazed at the turnout, and heartened by the flood of people and emotions that united the assembly. ‘Yesterday’s send off was just like Jim Stynes - absolutely amazing. It brought people in from far and wide. Darren Kowal came from WA, Woey came down from Queensland, then there was Andrew Obst as well, people I hadn’t seen for so long - Doug Koop, Wiz - we all hung around and enjoyed each others’ company, and it was great for our wives to catch up as well. The Stynes family was wonderful, and it was such a touching occasion. Jim was one of a kind.’
Robert Flower, reflecting on the day, said ‘It was a day that was really well coordinated by the Club in recognition of a great person. I’ve relived the day in my own mind, and it was special to see so many different contexts of Jim - his football life, his personal life, business and Reach. It was pretty sad, but we had all seen him at the blazer presentation, and saw how he was struggling. We took comfort in knowing he was content.’
One of Jim’s teammates in his later seasons was Marcus Seecamp, who came from Fitzroy to Melbourne, and took the No. 10 guernsey alongside Stynes in his No. 11. When asked for his comments and feelings on the day, and on Jim Stynes, Seecamp, now himself engaged in community based work, summed everything up to perfection.
‘I felt that I had prepared myself as well as I could for the day that I would have to say goodbye to Jim. This was three years in the making, although when the news came last Tuesday morning after I arrived at work, nothing could prepare me for the emotional rollercoaster that would follow.
‘I think again over my small adventures - the four years I spent playing alongside ‘big’ Jim. We shared locker space, we laughed together and at each other, we felt the pain of expectation, and I felt privileged to have spent this time with such a selfless person.
‘If any one individual deserved a state funeral, it was Jim. Not only did he change the way the game was played - he also changed the lives of so many in the wider community, and this was clearly evident on 27 March 2012. I felt honoured to have had the chance to say goodbye to Jim alongside so many people from all walks of life. Jim had such an impact that it was comforting to see former and current players and administration, along with some of the great named from the AFL community, dignitaries, and a large number of people that Jim’s Reach Foundation had assisted. As we know, Jim had a great influence on people from both inside and outside of the AFL.
‘On Tuesday, I travelled to Melbourne to wish a former teammate goodbye. Although it was a sombre occasion, I was surprised to see such a diverse crowd. I was aware of Jim’s work in the community, but I never truly understood how far reaching this had become. I remember when Jim was floating the idea of Reach, and how he could make a difference to the youth of Melbourne. I don’t think Jim realised how big the Foundation would one day become, and just how many people it would inspire. We both had outside interests in community services, and this dominated our conversations for those years spent at the Melbourne Football Club.
‘Although we both ended up taking different paths into community welfare, this was a connection that continued well beyond our playing days. On the occasions when we caught up, the topic of conversation was always centred on the welfare of others. That was Jim - selfless, passionate, giving, centred, emotional, and always from the heart. And what a big heart he had.
‘ ‘Should old acquaintance be forgot’. I will never forget Jim, the time we spent together, and the example he set for me. I cried, laughed, reflected and remembered on Tuesday a man who will live on in my memories forever.
‘I am honoured to have known Jim Stynes.’
Marcus Seecamp - St Laurence Community Services
