Two Tiger stalwarts were the recipients of Club Life Membership at Richmond’s Annual General Meeting held this evening (December 15) - former player Bruce Tempany and former chaplain Paul Cameron.
Tempany, who turns 54 next week, played 87 games for Richmond from 1977-83 and kicked 33 goals, after working his way up through the ranks at Tigerland.
He would have played a lot more senior football with the Tigers, if it hadn’t been for a wretched injury run.
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A collarbone injury prevented Tempany from taking his place in the Club’s 1977 reserve-grade premiership.
Then, in 1980, Tempany missed the senior team’s premiership triumph over Collingwood due to an Achilles injury that he suffered in the second semi-final win against Geelong. Earlier that season, he had been a Victorian State representative.
Two years later, Tempany broke his arm in the early stages of the 1982 Grand Final against Carlton.
Throughout his playing career, Tempany also had to contend with severe asthma. Yet, when fully fit, he was one of the first players picked in the senior Tiger side.
Tempany was a tall, clever, running player, and a fine long kick. His versatility was a decided asset, and he was used effectively in roles across half-back, on a wing, as well as up forward.
Since 2002, Tempany has been treasurer of Richmond’s Former Players and Officials’ Association - a role he has performed with considerable distinction. He has also been actively involved in the Club’s player mentoring program.
Paul Cameron served as the Tigers’ chaplain for 18 years. Previous to that, he spent five years as the Sydney Swans chaplain.
He started with Richmond in 1993 - the same year that Matthew Richardson debuted - and, during his time at Tigerland, he presided over numerous Club weddings and funerals, and also provided significant personal support and guidance to players and staff.
Each week, ‘The Rev’, as he became affectionately known among the Punt Road fraternity, would be a calming influence at training, in the rooms pre-match, and around the Club, generally.
He announced at the end of the season that he was stepping down from the position to spend more time with his wife and three sons, while continuing his challenging role as CEO of Churches of Christ (Victoria and Tasmania).
