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The Friends of Sydney University Football Club (SUFC) was established in 1996 by Peter Hemming, Executive Chairman of Heathley Limited, during a time when rugby was transitioning to professionalism and SUFC was facing relegation.

The Friends, a mentoring group consisting of influential senior business leaders and professionals, has played a significant role in the success and sustainability of SUFC.

With over 50 prominent members from various industries, the Friends are committed to mentoring the players of the Club. Interestingly, only one-third of the Friends played rugby for Sydney University, and only half attended the University of Sydney, yet all are dedicated to helping the players and the Club.

The Friends’ contributions include a mentoring program aimed at assisting players in their business and professional careers, as well as annual donations to the Sydney University Football Club Foundation.

Recently David AO and Barbara Mortimer were honoured at a dinner in the Great Hall and attended by approximately 250 family, supporters, players and rugby people. The purpose of the dinner was to celebrate the Mortimer’s contribution to rugby at the University and beyond. David was instrumental in establishing the SUFC Foundation and has variously been Chairman of the Friends of SUFC; the Foundation; Sydney University Sport and Fitness and led the club as President while Barbara has always been there, right by David’s side.

Guests were welcomed by the Nomads Quartet on the lawns of the University quadrangle and there were tributes from Chair of the Foundation, Jim Cooney; Chancellor of the University, Belinda Hutchinson AC; former 1^st grade captain and winner of multiple Shute Shields, Tim Davidson and long -time sponsors Buildcorp owners Josephine AM and Tony AM Sukkar. Many tales were told and memories revisited. Before David’s and Barbara’s responses, the attendees were entertained by an extraordinary performance of worldclass tenor Diego Torres.

The evening was expertly managed by Andrew Coorey who, as always, did an excellent job.

It was an exceptional evening organised by Ray Dearlove, who conceived the idea of the dinner, John Coorey, Andrew Wennerbom, Tony Mulveney and Jim Cooney and below are the links to the tributes of the evening.

Speech 1, Jim Cooney:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/q4mqo1lpea7jnx7mrvpij/01-Speech-v1.mp4?rlkey=3b6kx543xd41wzqwxgcpjfx1i&st=0jfp6opt&dl=0

Speech 2: Belinda Hutchinson

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/pqhm2pz0ksp4uowex7am3/02-Speech-v1.mp4?rlkey=cv7zrfs6cihqwmi5io3deumdo&st=7yz84700&dl=0

Speech 3: Tim Davidson

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/7mov4etzc7jx4fhpiui2s/03-Speech-v1.mp4?rlkey=atbbdgu2vnw00hp9ejef1m734&st=ugzr21jt&dl=0

Speech 4: Josephine and Tony Sukkar and David and Barbara Mortimer

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/o6bufs6x2cnsrca357qze/04-Speech-v1.mp4?rlkey=x1greq6h7a61nch3t6v81t5jz&st=6y6mjvob&dl=0

Diego Torres Opera Singer:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ascdk0d3f3d2nz5sisa36/05-Opera-Singer-v1.mp4?rlkey=913gj9uolzd11e4gde3xe9za5&st=8z5aaekg&dl=0

On Friday 4th July, the Friends of Sydney University Football Club gathered at St John’s College within the University of Sydney for the 29th annual dinner.

Guests were welcomed at the historic venue, moving into the courtyard where experienced Australian musicians played in a string quartet while canapes and welcome drinks were served under ambient lighting on a clear winters’ night.

David Lyons, President of SUFC welcomed all Friends and thanked them for their ongoing and generous support of the club, and we moved upstairs to the infamous Dining Hall to commence formal proceedings.

The tables were adorned with Australian gum and wattle, each Friend gifted a Howden rugby ball, and a copy of the 2025 Friends mentoring booklet, and as this intimate group of 95 guests were seated, our Chairman, David Mortimer AO took to the stage for the official welcome. David expressed his gratitude for this important Friends group and the value it provides the SUFC, 29 years following its formation. He thanked all Friends for their generosity and involvement and introduced Drew Hickey to perform a Toast to the University.

Drew was a former St John’s College resident, SUFC rugby player and Wallaby, and is now Director of Zone Financial Wealth Advisors. He provided an insightful, warm and humorous Toast to the University, to which he remains strongly connected.

Mark Elliott, Chair of Council, at St Paul’s College within the University of Sydney, provided a response on behalf of the University, which included some informed comments, reflections and observations from his extensive experience at the University.

We heard from Australia’s leading Soprano, Amelia Farrugia and mezzo-Soprano, Viktoria Bolonina throughout the evening with themed renditions of the national Anthems of Australia (Advance Australia Fair) and England (God Save the King). With brilliant performances of Jerusalem, the Lakme Duet, World in Union and Bread of Heaven with a surprising Welsh support act joining them on stage, the performances were celebrated.

Dr Mark Schembri, Rector St John’s College, reverently said grace on the evening, as well as other duties of sound engineer, IT specialist, operations manager and general consultant, and we thank him for his assistance and more broadly for supporting the sport of Rugby Union and particularly our club at Sydney University.

Following our delicious meals served by Chartwells Catering, and plentiful supply of fine wines from The French Vine, (donated by owners Justine & David Lyons), and beers from Southern Highlands Brewing Co.,(thank you Ben Twomey), it was then time for the much anticipated panel discussion.

Giles Morgan, Global Head of Sponsorships & Partnerships at Howden, and Ben Calveley, CEO, The British & Irish Lions, were our guests, and the riveting discussion was facilitated by Sally Loane, SUFC Friend and Chair, Destination NSW. A robust discussion about the Lions tour, the Howden partnership, the historic rivalry with Australia, a detailed analysis of the teams and the rugby so far on the Tour, commercial viability and returns, the spectators and supporters, marketing and promotion of the tour, and the upcoming Women’s Rugby World Cup were all discussed with enthusiasm.

David Mortimer AO presented Bruce Corlett AM with an honorary Life Member of SUFC Friends award for his absolute and long-term commitment to the club, to the broader Sydney University and to rugby union. Bruce and his wife Annie were there to accept the award, noting that the generosity of both time and resources over time is so very dearly appreciated.

With several players, international tourists, Friends, distinguished guests and SUFC alumni in attendance, the atmosphere, question time, responses and overall wonderful evening was completed with post-dinner drinks in the ‘Philosophical Room’, where discussions regarding rugby were appropriately addressed under that banner.

Please see some photos from the evening and also the program attached.

With sincere thanks to all SUFC Friends of 2025, for your mentoring, financial support, involvement and love of Rugby Union and Sydney University. During a strong period of Rugby Union resurgence and focus across the country, we are proud to be at the birthplace of the sport and to have Friends so passionately committed.

We look forward to the 2026 season and celebrating the 30th year of the Friends group.

2025 Friends Dinner Program V6 PDF

Friday the 26th of July was 28^th Annual Friends of SUFC dinner at St Andrew’s College. It was a wonderful evening, celebrating and thanking you, the Friends of SUFC.

The Schedule of proceedings is attached for the event with detailed information. A reflection of the evening is below.

Guests were welcomed to St Andrew’s College at the University of Sydney by the traditional Scottish bagpipes, played by a current scholarship student.

We made our way to the Erickson room for pre-dinner drinks and canapes, with wines provided by French Vine. David Lyons, current President of SUFC welcomed the Friends and we then followed the bagpiper as he led us to the delightful and ambient College Chapel to be seated.

Our Chair of the Friends, David Mortimer AO, thanked guests for their support, contributions and involvement with SUFC and Rugby, and introduced John Coorey to propose a toast to the University. John has been involved with SUFC since playing from 1981-1988 and remains involved with Sydney University as Chairman of Council of St John’s College.

In response, Belinda Hutchinson AC, recently retired Chancellor of Sydney University, and current Friend of SUFC, gave a wonderful and informative response on behalf of the University, where she demonstrated a true passion for Sydney University, and will leave a legacy of profound leadership as she moves forward.

A theatrical ode to the haggis was performed by some talented students of Sydney University, attending St Andrew’s College. With haggis ablaze, bagpiper leading, it was presented through the guests to the stage where the ceremonial address originally written by Scottish poet Robert Burns (1786) was made with dramatic effect. The haggis was presented and sliced with vigour with the Scottish sword before being offered to the game amongst us.

We enjoyed the student pianist and chorister, singing ‘World in Union’ (Gustav Holst, Charlie Skarbek, 1991), then we stood for the Australian National Anthem, sung with proud patriotism, followed by ‘Flower of Scotland’. Later we were treated to ‘Ireland’s Call’ and ‘Think of Me’ (Andrew Llyod Webber 1986, Phantom of the Opera).

Rear Admiral Lee Goddard CSC RAN introduced our distinguished guest speaker, General the Honorable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK AC (Mil) CVO, MC (Retd.), and gave a wonderful insight into Sir Peter’s extraordinary contributions to our nation. He also warmly welcomed Lady Lynne Cosgrove, and how special it was to have her join us for the evening.

It was a pleasure to hear from Sir Peter, speaking with humour, self-reflection, humility and demonstrating why he has been an outstanding leader in many official roles, including Chief of Army, Chief of the Defence Force and as former Governor General of Australia. He took a few questions from our guests and answered them with shared stories and experiences and interesting insights.

Later, David Mortimer AO presented our inaugural SUFC Friends Life Member awards to Phil Harry AM, accepted on his behalf by his son Richard Harry who spoke of its significance to his father who was a former club captain and then a close Friend of SUFC over many years.

We sadly heard only recently of the passing of Associate Professor Paul Darveniza, a Friend of SUFC. His award was accepted posthumously by his friend Andrew Murray AM with a touching tribute.

Finally, for those still keen, post dinner drinks, including French Vine Whiskey was served to conclude the night in the relaxed yet ornate Erickson room.

On behalf of the Chair of the Friends, David Mortimer AO, thank you for your continued involvement with our Friends group, your willingness to mentor our players, guiding them to become the next generation of successful Sydney University alumni with ongoing connection to our great rugby club.

We hope to see you at the Finals lunch this Friday, and over the next few weeks of the 2024 season.

Program of the evening:

SUFC Friends Dinner Program – FINAL

The 27th anniversary of the Friends of SUFC was recently celebrated with a fantastic dinner at St. John’s College. The event brought together 70 members, SUFC players, and guests. The evening featured performances by coloratura soprano Mary-Jean O’Doherty and tenor Jack Treacy, accompanied by talented musicians.

Dr. David Mortimer AO, Chairman of the Friends, introduced Dr. Simone Scovell, a Sydney University graduate, who gave a toast to the university, sharing her personal journey from a young girl marveling at the university gates to representing Australia in basketball and founding a healthcare company. Wayne Erickson, former Principal of St. Andrews College and renowned rugby referee, provided insightful commentary on the important role the University of Sydney plays in the interaction between athletics and academia in today’s society.

The event also included a delicious meal prepared by the staff of St John’s College, complemented by excellent French wines donated by David Lyons. Al Campbell, a former Wallaby, introduced Dr. Brett Robinson, who shared his journey from playing rugby league in Toowoomba to being a founding player in the Brumbies and representing Australia internationally. Dr. Robinson’s personal stories captivated the audience, recognizing his significant contributions to Australian Rugby.

In closing, Dr. David Mortimer expressed gratitude to all the Friends’ members for their support and continued commitment to mentoring the players of Sydney University Football Club.

Foundation

Established in 2003, our foundation aims to support the growth of players and facilities at the SUFC. We provide assistance through scholarships, equipment, and facility development. Additionally, we are dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich history and heritage of Australia’s oldest Rugby Club.

While our club has a storied past, we recognise the need to adapt to an increasingly competitive environment to ensure future success. It is crucial that we have the financial resources to meet new challenges and continue nurturing Australia’s rugby talent.

Your support for the Foundation is instrumental in achieving these goals and sustaining the esteemed reputation of the Sydney University Football Club both on and off the field.

If you would like to contribute online, please click here – make sure you select ‘Rugby Union’, or Advancement Portfolio_Sports Gift Form Rugby Union to download a donations form.

Thank you for considering to support us. We appreciate your contribution.