Inaugural House / McLean Memorial Shield Match
- The Shark
- Jun 26
- 5 min read
This Saturday, 28th of June, our club will compete for the inaugural House / McLean Memorial Shield, a tribute to club legends Andrew House (St Patrick's) and Kaye McLean (Hillwood), who both sadly passed away earlier this year. The shield recognises not only the legacy of these two remarkable individuals but also celebrates the lasting contribution their families have made to our football clubs.
Note the changed game times for matches at John Cunningham Oval, 57 Morris Street Prospect:
· 10.20am Reserves
· 12.15pm Senior Men (House / McLean Memorial Shield match)
· 2.30pm Senior Women
Here is a tribute from the Hillwood Football club for Kaye & her family. See below for information on Andrew House and his family members.
A Lasting Legacy: Honouring Kaye McLean and the McLean / Burton Family
On Saturday we will come together not just as a football club, but as a community — to honour the extraordinary contribution of Kaye McLean and the remarkable McLean and Burton family who have been woven into the fabric of Hillwood Football Club for almost a century.
Kaye McLean was the heart of Hillwood. Her involvement with football spanned more than 70 years, beginning as a child placing scones and cream cakes on the kiosk tables alongside her mother. That early introduction would spark a lifetime of selfless service — one that shaped the very soul of our club.
Kaye was a founding member of the club’s reformation in 1980, following its recess during the 1970s. From that moment until her passing earlier this year, she was a driving force behind everything Hillwood stood for — loyalty, grit, and generosity.
Her roles? Endless.
Canteen manager for over 20 years. Caterer for over 100 club functions, including a record-breaking dinner for 320 people in the 1980s. She mended and washed jumpers, transported players, cleaned clubrooms, stewarded interchanges, ran fundraisers, and never once asked for anything in return.
A typical game day for Kaye started before dawn and often ended after midnight — and somehow, she’d be back the next morning, cleaning up with a smile.
Kaye was deservedly recognised with awards such as Club Life Member, Clarry Boon Award, AFL Tasmania Outstanding Service Award, and in 2014, was named a Living Legend of the Hillwood Football Club. But awards can only tell part of the story — her legacy lives in the people, the moments, and the community she helped build.
Kaye’s love for the club was shared and shaped by generations of her family.
Her father, Bill Burton, played from the club’s early days in 1926 and helped bring it back to life after World War II. Her mother Ethel was also a dedicated kiosk manager, and her uncle Reg Burton both played and contributed to club life. Bill and Reg were both awarded as club life members.
Kaye’s husband, Bob McLean, is a Hillwood legend in his own right — a passionate life member, former club president, long-time secretary, trainer, selector, recruiting officer, and like Kaye, a Club Life Member, Clarry Boon Medal recipient and Living Legend recipient. Bob also starred in Hillwood’s 1960s premierships and was a key figure in the 1980 revival.
Both Kaye and Bob, being builders, volunteered many hours & materials to upgrade the clubrooms over the years. In 2010 a fire destroyed the clubrooms mid-season, threatening the existence of the club. Both Kaye and Bob, along with their son Steven – also a builder, worked tirelessly to have the clubrooms rebuilt, setting up a strong foundation for the future of our club as we head towards our 100-year reunion.
Several McLean brothers played with Hillwood though-out the 50’s & 60’s enjoying premiership success multiple times. One of Bob’s brothers Kevin, also a club life member, first played in 1955, coached Hillwood to premierships in 1961 (playing as captain/coach), 1990, and 1992, and was involved in six premiership wins as either player or coach. Even Kevin’s son, Kevin Junior, joined in the premiership glory playing in both the 1990 & 1992 flags that Kevin coached.
The McLean legacy continued with Kaye and Bob’s son Steven McLean, a 231-game player, four-time senior premiership winner, club Best & Fairest, senior coach & the most recent family member to be honoured with a life membership. Their grandsons Cameron Mitchell (97 games) and Josh Britton, who recently celebrated his 50th game and coached our U18s in 2018, have proudly carried the family name onto the field. Other family members such as cousins Matthew & Jason McLean also pulled on the Hillwood jumper. Apologies for anyone we have missed.
There is no part of Hillwood’s history — or its heart — that has not been touched by Kaye McLean and her family. Her absence is deeply felt, but her impact will forever be present.
This Saturday we will honour Kaye. We thank her. And we recognise the incredible legacy of service, strength, and spirit that the McLean and Burton families have given to this club we all love.
Hillwood is stronger because of them. And we will never forget.
Honouring Andrew House and the House Family.
Details proudly provided by the St Patrick's Old Collegians Football Club
Andrew House
Spanning an incredible 24 seasons from 1985 to 2008, Andrew played 212 games (168 Seniors, 44 Reserves) and booted 94 goals. A three-time Senior Best & Fairest winner (1991, 1995, 1996), he also captained the Senior side from 1998–2000 and was Vice Captain in 1995.
He was part of Senior Premiership teams in 1996 and 1999 and a Grand Finalist in 1997. His leadership began early, captaining the U17s in 1985 and claiming their B&F the same year.
Further accolades include Best & Fairest runner-up (1993, 1998), the Alma Mater Trophy (2003), Club Runner for both Seniors and Reserves, and service as a committee member (2000–2003). With Life Membership awarded in 2005, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2021.
Other House Family Members:
Tony House
Serving as Club President in 1994 and a Committee Member for 12 years (1989–1994, 1997–2004), Tony was also a long-time gatekeeper, goal umpire, and official beer taster.
The House family’s contribution extends further, with Maureen and Moya House both volunteering in the canteen over the years.
In honour of Tony’s exceptional commitment, the Tony House Commitment Medal was established in 2004. Selected by the House family, the award recognises individuals who have shown outstanding service to the club — a fitting tribute to a truly devoted clubman.
Nathan House
From 1993 to 2010, this remarkable clubman played 260 games (226 Seniors, 34 Reserves), hitting the scoreboard with 149 goals. A key leader, he served as Senior Vice Captain from 2001 to 2003.
He was a dual Senior Premiership player (1996, 2002), with additional Grand Final appearances in 1997 and 2001. In the Reserves, he added a Premiership in 1999 and featured in Grand Finals in 2004 and 2010.
A consistent performer, his accolades include Most Improved (1998), Most Consistent (1999), and two Coaches Awards (2001, 2005). He also received the prestigious Alma Mater award in 2007.
His service to the club extended beyond the field, contributing as a committee member from 2000 to 2005. He was honoured with Life Membership in 2006.
Simon House
Simon House proudly represented the club from 1985 to 2003, clocking up 115 games across Seniors (75) and Reserves (40), while kicking a total of 31 goals.
A member of the 1996 Senior Premiership team, Simon also featured in Grand Finals in 1997 and 1998, proving a consistent and valuable contributor during a golden era for the club.
