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An icon of the Latrobe Valley

One of a kind: Don Di Fabrizio with the stand named in his honour at Falcons Park.

file photograph

By GREGOR MACTAGGART

DON Di Fabrizio has been remembered as a giant of the Latrobe Valley community after his death on January 20 at the age of 88. Born in the Abruzzo region of Italy in 1933, he migrated to Australia in 1954, living and working as a riveter, rigger and boilermaker in Geelong before moving to Morwell in 1955. He had an indelible impact on the Valley during the next six decades. A born entrepreneur, he established D & G Di Fabrizio Steel Fabrication and Erection in 1961 with his younger brother Giovanni, starting out manufacturing wrought iron in the family’s backyard shed. Within a decade the company employed 50 full-time workers. It grew into the DiFABRO Group of companies, which at its peak employed up to 300 people and was best known for work on major projects such as the construction of Loy Yang B and The Great Southern Stand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Mr Di Fabrizio was the architect behind the meteoric rise of the Morwell Falcons to the National Soccer League. He spent 23 years as president of Falcons after being first voted into the job when son Steven was playing soccer in the Under-10 team. Mr Di Fabrizio agreed to do so on the proviso that the club focused on building a winning team. They did just that, winning championships in the Latrobe Valley and Provisional leagues, before a string of promotions saw Morwell Falcons admitted to the Victorian State League in 1982. The golden run continued as Falcons were crowned kings of Victorian soccer in 1984 and again in 1989. The National Soccer League beckoned and in June 1992, Morwell could lay claim to having a national sporting team of its own. “I was always very fortunate in my time at the club to have so many good people working with me,” Mr Di Fabrizio wrote in his 2011 book My Years With The Falcons - Memories of a Soccer Supporter. His outstanding contribution was recognised in 1995 with the grandstand at Falcons Park named in his honour. A few months previously he had retired from the Falcons’ presidency, but Mr Di Fabrizio maintained his connection with the sport as a commissioner of Soccer Australia (now known as Football Australia). “Football Australia is deeply saddened to hear the passing of Hall of Famer, Donato ‘Don’ Di Fabrizio OAM,” the governing body said. “He was involved with the development of the sport at all national levels as well as marketing, television rights and the restructure of the National Soccer League. “Don also contributed to the integration of women’s football under Soccer Australia, uniting the two national refereeing bodies, and was the inaugural chairman of the National Honours Awards program in 1997.” Mr Di Fabrizio was inducted into the Football Australia Hall of Fame in 2008 for his outstanding service to the game. It was one of the many honours bestowed on a man described as ‘an ornament to the game’. Mr Di Fabrizio received a knighthood from the Italian Republic in 1995 and was awarded the Order of Australia in 1996 for his service to the construction industry and to soccer. He was inducted in the Gippsland Soccer League Hall of Fame in 2012, was named Churchill’s Citizen of the Year in 2013 and Latrobe City’s Citizen of the Year in 2016. Mr Di Fabrizio was instrumental in the establishment of Morwell Immigration Park at Kernot Hall. Football Australia’s head of marketing, communications and corporate affairs Peter Filopoulos described him as a ‘football pioneer’. “Don Di Fabrizio has left behind a legacy in Gippsland which is a reminder of his work, it’s time we now further developed that legacy in his honour,’’ Mr Filopoulos said. Latrobe City Mayor Kellie O’Callaghan described his contribution to the community as ‘immense’. “A leader in industry, Morwell Falcons patron and past president. Respected and admired by many. A generous man with a vision that will leave a legacy,” Cr O’Callaghan said. The Latrobe Valley Soccer League expressed its condolences. “Don was instrumental in growing the profile of soccer in not only the Gippsland region, but also at a state and national level,” it said. Socceroo legend Gary Cole also paid tribute. “Vale The Don, a remarkable body of work for Australian football,” Mr Cole said. Former Falcons player Manny Gelagotis encapsulated the scale of what the club achieved under Mr Di Fabrizio’s presidency. “To think he took a small country town and region on his shoulders into the National Soccer League is a story to treasure,” Mr Gelagotis said.

TRIBUTES

Football Australia

FOOTBALL Australia is deeply saddened to hear the passing of Hall of Famer, Donato ‘Don’ Di Fabrizio OAM. Football Australia sends its condolences to the Di Fabrizio family and those closest to Don.

Tony Persoglia

AN ambitious, innovative and proud football activist, Don Di Fabrizio leaves a lasting legacy in Victorian football. An ornament to the game.

Peter Filopoulos

WE’VE lost another Australian football pioneer, a man I had the pleasure of meeting & interacting with. Don Di Fabrizio has left behind a legacy in Gippsland which is a permanent reminder of his work. It’s time we now further developed that legacy in his honour. Rest In Peace Don.

Matt Windley

VERY saddened to hear the news of the passing of Don Di Fabrizio. Only knew him a short while, but he was incredibly generous with his time, support and advice for me throughout the Team 11 bid and afterwards. An absolute gentleman who I loved listening to, learning from.

Cr Kellie O’Callaghan

VERY sad to hear of the passing of Don Di Fabrizio. His contribution to our community was immense and he will be fondly remembered. A leader in industry, Morwell Falcons patron and past president, respected and admired by many. A generous man with a vision that will leave a legacy.

Manny Gelagotis

MORWELL Falcons legendary patron, past president and incredible influence Don Di Fabrizio has sadly passed. To think he took a small country town and region on his shoulders into the National Soccer League is a story to treasure. Opportunities, memories and success - RIP The Don.

Gary Cole

VALE The Don, a remarkable body of work for Australian football.

Simon Hill

THE most fitting tribute would be the long overdue renovation of the facility he helped build for football at Morwell. RIP.

Latrobe Valley Soccer League

THE LVSL and wider Gippsland Soccer community is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Don Di Fabrizio. Don was instrumental in growing the profile of soccer in not only the Gippsland region, but also at a state and national level. The LVSL also acknowledges the wider work that Don undertook in the Latrobe Valley, particular around the establishment of the Morwell Immigration Park at Kernot Hall.

Morwell Falcons Past Players

ON behalf of all the past players we send our sincere condolences to the Di Fabrizio family and thank Don for his contributions to football. A true pioneer and advocate for our wonderful game and he gave Morwell and Gippsland an identity for being a soccer powerhouse, and took a regional club to the top with pride and passion. 18 Hunt Street Morwell 3840

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