The Scrapbooks of Old Mick

From Wedderburn to Princes Hill, Canberra, and the Carlton Football Club

My story begins in Wedderburn, a small country town in Victoria where my family has lived for six generations.
For Carlton supporters, Cresswell "Mickey" Crisp is remembered as one of the club's great early champions. For me, he was simply "Old Mick".

As a youngster, I spent holidays with Mickey and his wife, Tue, at their home in Princes Hill, only a short walk from Princes Park. Family visits often included football stories, race meetings, beach trips, and long afternoons spent in conversation.

What fascinated me most were Mickey's scrapbooks.

Filled with newspaper clippings, photographs, and match reports, they brought another era of football to life. Page by page, Mickey would share stories from his playing days, recounting memorable matches, teammates and moments that helped shape the history of the Carlton Football Club.

At the time, I simply enjoyed spending time with a much-loved relative. Looking back, I realized those afternoons were something far more special. Through Mickey's stories, I was receiving a personal connection to an important chapter of Carlton's history from someone who had lived it.

More than thirty years ago, life brought an unexpected twist. I moved to Princes Hill, beside Princes Park.

Only later did I fully appreciate the significance of that move.

As a child, I listened to Mickey's stories in those same streets. Years later, I found myself living around the corner from his former home and beside the ground where so much of Carlton's history unfolded. What had once been childhood memories suddenly felt remarkably close.

It was one of those moments when life quietly reveals a connection you never knew existed.

Years later, another piece of the story emerged.

Today, Susie and I divided our time between Princes Hill and Canberra, where we have an apartment near Manuka Oval and Eastlake Football Club.

Before becoming a Carlton legend, Alex Jesaulenko developed his football career at Eastlake. Standing there one day, reflecting on the club's history and Jesaulenko's remarkable journey, another connection clicked into place.

Mickey Crisp and Alex Jesaulenko belonged to different generations, travelled different paths, and played in different eras, yet both became part of the rich history of the Carlton Football Club.

The more I reflected on these connections, the more I realized this story was about much more than football.
It is a story about family, community, and place. Different generations. Different journeys. Yet somehow their stories intersect through the Carlton Football Club, Princes Hill, Canberra and, unexpectedly, my own life.
From Wedderburn to Princes Hill. From Canberra to Carlton.

Different generations. Different journeys. One enduring connection through the Carlton Football Club.

When all the pieces finally came together, there was only one response:

You beauty. 💙🏉

Three Rare & Ready Gifts Inspired by This Journey – click headers to shop

Golden Triangle Gift Hamper, Central Victoria
A celebration of the makers, flavours, and heritage of Victoria's historic Goldfield’s region, where my story began.

Australian Award-Winning Makers Gift Hamper – Rare and Ready Gifts Pty Ltd
Celebrating Australian craftsmanship, regional communities and the makers who contribute to Australia's rich cultural story.

Bialetti Moka Pot & Coffee Gift Set
Great ideas, lasting relationships, and successful projects often begin with a conversation over coffee.