BIO

Jacob Jona was educated at Prince Alfred College, and played three games for Norwood in 1908.  He completed his medical studies in Victoria, firstly in Williamstown, then settling in Hawthorn in 1924.  He became medical officer for the Hawthorn Football Club (VFL) from 1924, treating players at his own expense in the front room of his house as the club had little money and medical facilities.  A lovely man, jovial by nature, he is generally regarded as the man who kept the Hawthorn Football Club financially viable in its early years.

He became president of the Hawthorn Football Club in 1932, was elected delegate to the VFL in 1934 and served as senior vice president of the VFL for many years.  He retired as president in 1949 after 18 years in that role and 25 years as medical officer.

Over that period he continued to make generous donations to the Norwood Football Club.  Dr Jona was one of the first people to advocate for increased physical fitness in footballers.

G Adams May 2018