Jarusa wrote:
I was going to do a little speech at some stage during the afternoon, but it all went by so quickly I never got the chance. This is what I would have said:
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Welcome to the Blueseum BBQ and thank you all for coming along.
So where do I begin?
Last year the last ever game was played here and it was a bit of a wake up call for me. That day I saw grown men weeping as I sat up in the social club bar. I also met a bloke called Ralph Madge that day, he was the timekeeper for Carlton from the 1960’s to the 1980’s. In a half hour conversation he told me story after story that had me glued to the chair, it was fascinating stuff. I remember thinking this bloke must be in his eighties and when he is no longer here all of these wonderful stories will probably go along with him. Made me think about how much history is lost over time.
That day I made up my mind to finally pull my finger out and start up the Blueseum.
Now when I started it my expectations were very very low. I fully expected it would just be me typing away and it would probably take 10 years to make it into something useful for the club.
Well not for the first time in my life I was wrong.
After posting that I was looking for volunteers on TalkingCarlton there was a bit of interest, and some questions, but the trouble was no-one really understood what the whole concept was about and things started off slowly.
Then a little while later I received an email from Tony De Bolfo asking who I was and what I was doing. The next thing I know Tony and Stephen from the Carlton Historical Committee were sitting at my kitchen table. Two more dedicated people to the history of the club you are unlikely to meet. Both gentlemen offered an enormous amount to the Blueseum in terms of content and support.
It was the first real kick-start for the site.
I would like to give a special mention to Stephen W. The work Stephen has done for the club to preserve it’s history is phenomenal, Stephen should be recognised as a life member of the club already in my opinion. His generosity to just hand over his work to be used on the Blueseum to a mug like me was amazing.
The next big thing to happen was that Molsey (Mike) finally realised what this whole wiki thing was all about.
Mike getting behind the Blueseum was the catalyst for the whole project going from a snails pace to full steam ahead. Through major site projects such as Easy Up Bam, which was a huge effort to make sure every game on the Blueseum had at least a score and later with the project to have details about every player as well. Mike quickly became my partner in crime on the site, our skills seemed to complement each other, his strong work ethic …….. my laziness .......... his attention to detail …… and my carelessness.
Before long Mike and I made contact with Greg Lee, and so began another chapter for the Blueseum. Greg Lee, Ian Coutts and Stephen Wilson have all been fantastic supporters of the Blueseum from the club’s side of things. The club’s support through Greg Lee and the official carlton website have helped to legitimise the Blueseum in the eyes of Carlton supporters and really sped up it’s development. Hopefully the day is not too far away that the keys of the Blueseum are handed over to the club.
Of course the other great contributor to the Blueseum has been TalkingCarlton, the mods on that site have been super supportive and some have even contributed on the site. I was very surprised when Brad made the Blueseum thread a global announcement on the site, but it has really been effective in spreading the word.
While this is all singling people out the really amazing aspect of this whole thing to me has been the power of team-work and collaboration. A website like the Blueseum is a result of team-work. Everyone who contributes is as much a part of a team as the players who run out for the Blues every week.
The site has literally had dozens of contributors, and my apologies in advance if I miss anyone, but I would really like to single out some contributors who have put in really big efforts.
PatsFitztrick for providing such wonderful player profiles. Blueworld, Juzz, and steve, for tireless work all over the site kruddler and his brownlow stats, camelboy, Deano, Alli, danny, wolfister, verbs, stretty, beau, AGRO and heaps of others.
Not one sneaky leaker amongst them.
Also, a big thanks to nikki and trueblue24 who are both making big contributions to the site. It is wonderful to see young people actively involved in the site because the site isn’t just about a heap of oldies reminiscing, it should also be seen as a tool to educate the young supporters about the greatness of our club.
There is still plenty of work to be done. But the Blueseum is in for the long haul.
By detailing Carlton’s past I am sure we will all make a contribution to Carlton’s successful future.
GO BLUES!!
Good stuff Jarusa. Congratulations to you and all who have contributed.
Sorry I couldn't make it. Any other month but October 2006 and I could have made it I reckon.
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, though I don't feel worthy as my contribution has fallen away a little recently. I will be back!
