Gerry Bahen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gerry Bahen |
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| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Gerald Edmund Bahen | ||
| Date of birth | 17 February 1929 | ||
| Place of birth | Wembley, Western Australia | ||
| Date of death | 24 April 2012 (aged 83) | ||
| Place of death | Perth, Western Australia | ||
| Original team | Aquinas College | ||
| Position(s) | Defender | ||
| Career highlights | |||
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Gerald Edmund "Gerry" Bahen (born February 17, 1929 – died April 24, 2012) was a talented Australian rules football player. He also worked as a businessman and later helped manage a football club. Gerry played for the North Melbourne Football Club in Victoria. He also played for the South Fremantle Football Club in Western Australia. He even represented his home state, Western Australia, in special games. After his playing days, he stayed involved in sports and entertainment.
Gerry Bahen's Football Journey
Gerry Bahen was born in Wembley, Western Australia. This was on February 17, 1929. His father, Clem Bahen, was also a well-known footballer. Clem played many games for the Subiaco Football Club. Gerry grew up in Claremont.
Gerry went to Aquinas College. He started his football career playing for South Fremantle's reserve team in 1949. Later, he moved to Melbourne for his job. There, he played for the Mentone Football Club. Soon after, the North Melbourne Football Club in the Victorian Football League (VFL) recruited him.
Playing in the VFL and WAFL
In 1951, Gerry played eight games for North Melbourne. After that season, he returned to Western Australia. He then joined the senior team of the South Fremantle Football Club. This is where he really shone.
Gerry helped South Fremantle win three amazing championships. These wins were in 1952, 1953, and 1954. He usually played as a half-back flanker. This position is important for defending and moving the ball forward.
In 1954, Gerry had a fantastic year. He finished fourth in the Sandover Medal voting. This medal is given to the league's best and fairest player. That same year, he played for Western Australia. He played against Victoria in an important interstate game. He played as a centre half-back in that match. Gerry decided to stop playing football at the end of the 1956 season. He wanted to focus on his business interests.
Life After Football
After his football career, Gerry Bahen became involved in different businesses. With his wife, Adrian, he managed the P&O Hotel in Fremantle. They later had four children together.
In 1961, Gerry joined the television station TVW. He worked there as a Film Manager. Later, from 1974 to 1977, he returned to the network. He managed concessions and bars at the Perth Entertainment Centre.
Gerry always stayed connected to the South Fremantle Football Club. He served on the club's committee. For a short time, he was even the club's vice-president. He also helped organize an annual fundraising event called the Gerry Bahen Classic. This showed his continued dedication to the club he loved.
