Jac Renzenbrink’s 70th birthday was practically a school reunion when he celebrated with friends at home in Wallington recently.
Guests even included a former teacher from the school he attended nearly 60 years ago.
Newtown’s Fred Le Deux, 81 next month, taught grade three at Ocean Grove Primary School in 1956 when Jac was a pupil.
Other former Wallington students to help Jac celebrate his birthday were Wangaratta’s Stuart Russell and Jac’s sister Linda Field of Drysdale.
“I didn’t teach Jac but I knew him. He was in grade five,” said Fred, who at the time played VFL for Geelong.
“Jac was in Bill Serong’s grade. He was a Collingwood player.”
Fred modestly admitted to playing “a few games” for the Cats.
In fact, he wore the blue hoops for about 20 matches between 1956 and 1958.
“I was a ruckman. Ruckmen weren’t as big in those days,” he chuckled.
But his bloodlines remain entrenched at the Cats through the towering presence of grandson Tom Hawkins in the goal square.
“He calls me Freddie,” Fred said.
– Kevin Norbury
