Werribee Football Club’s new president, Martin Carter, has spent the past three decades living in Wyndham. The 58-year-old tells Charlene Macaulay about his love of sport, stepping into John Nicol’s shoes and his stint as a DJ.
What’s your connection to the Wyndham area?
I’ve lived here for approximately 30 years. We live in Westleigh Gardens – it’s a lovely estate. I was an inner-suburban boy living in Northcote. When we first moved out here, it was where the country meets the city. We could exercise, and do fun runs and triathlons without fear of even sighting a vehicle, let alone being hit by a vehicle. It was a great place to live; it still is a great place to live.
Tell me about your family.
I met my wife Cristine at a disco in town … I’ve been married for just over 30 years. I’ve got a daughter, 25, who’s in a very responsible position work-wise, has a good partner. I’ve got a couple of Burmese cats, which act as big kids themselves.
What made you put your hand up to become president of the Werribee Football Club?
We had a tragic episode last year with the passing of John Nicol. John had been a stalwart of the club for 20-odd years. John had been speaking to me, on and off, about gradually taking over from his position. He would’ve wanted me to do that. I rallied the board around me, and the board have been nothing short of sensational.
Works are about to begin on the Chirnside Park redevelopment. What will this mean for the club?
It will mean everything for the football club, and for the community. We have funding in excess of $11 million. The challenge we face is six different stakeholders – getting them together and agreeing upon what this dream vision John had some eight years ago will look like. It will become the showpiece of the west and it will be utilised by a number of different parties. North Melbourne Football Club are creating a huddle for the next two years.
What has been your favourite sport moment?
I’m a North Melbourne supporter and my favourite sporting moment is when Jason McCartney, after the experience he went through in Bali, was able to win a game against Richmond and then retire. It touched the heartstrings of everyone. Werribee winning the premiership in 1993 was something special. We pine for our next premiership.
Do you have any hobbies outside of football?
I’m a bit of a sports nut, trivia nut, was a DJ at university, golf, running, keeping fit. Boxing was my passion … had a couple of fights as a youngster and I still box quite regularly.
What is your life philosophy?
I live by the motto that life is one per cent what happens to you and 99 per cent the way you react to it.
