Freo’s oldest member, who celebrated her 100th birthday on Thursday 30 October, has a very special connection to the club.
Margaret is a matriarch of a famous Fremantle football family – one that the Freo Dockers have named their club champion award after.
In 1937, she married East Fremantle football legend George Doig.
Margaret’s oldest son Don tells a story from his parents’ wedding day.
“George and his brother Charlie played against Swan Districts the same day,” Don said.
“After the match, they changed and walked across to the church, which is just across the road from the oval, to get to the altar on time.
“They had a long and happy life together and family was a very important aspect of their life from day one.”
George passed away in 2006, just short of what would have been the couple’s 70th wedding anniversary.
Margaret’s two sons and their wives, five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren joined her at her youngest son, Malcolm's house in Bicton to celebrate her birthday.
“They are all very proud of their nanna and love her immensely,” Don said.
“It’s quite a milestone that she should be proud of, but it’s no accident.
“She has looked after herself, George and us for her whole life.”
Although Margaret’s vision is now impaired, she still listens to every Freo Dockers game on the radio.
And when was asked if she had a favourite player, her answer was very diplomatic.
“I just love them all because they are Fremantle,” she said.
Seventeen members of the Doig family played football with either East Fremantle or South Fremantle over three generations.
Five played more than 200 games and another four played more than 100.
In 2003 the Fremantle Dockers Club Champion Award was renamed the Doig Medal to honour the family.
“It was a very special day for the Doig family,” Don said.
“We are very proud to have been recognised as a group and a family for the fairly significant contribution to football in Western Australia.”
In 2004 the club awarded all previous club champions Doig Medals.
