D-Men Coterie Group

The D-Men are a local group of past players, supporters and business owners who form a Coterie group with the aim of raising funds for community projects and special needs.

The D-Men Coterie group was founded in 1995. Influential people in the set up of the group were John Harrop (President), Alan Neville and Roger Skien. The original group of approximately 20 members formed with the intent to provide a forum where people could get together to organise fundraising for the Montrose Football and Cricket Clubs. To this day this is still why the D-Men exist. Membership has now risen to 30 members who are a mix of ex players, supporters and local business people. A handful of the original members still form part of the current coterie membership.

The D-Men have donated numerous items of equipment, facilities and services through fundraising activities. Some examples of past donations include trophies for presentation nights, the trophy cabinets, cricket and football gear, the cricket nets, lighting for the back oval, the current scoreboard, original clubroom furniture, covering for the cricket pitch and seating around the oval.

The D-Men have previously donated $14,000 to the development of the Montrose Reserve and just recently have donated a further $30,000 to assist in the fit out of the new community pavilion.

Annual fundraisers include Golf Days, Lawn Bowls tournaments, the Melbourne Cup Calcutta and an annual raffle. In 2009 the major fundraiser was a night of entertainment including Caroline Wilson – AFL’s first lady, Brian Cook - CEO of Geelong and John Silvester – the creator of the Underbelly stories.

Anyone can join the D-Men Coterie group. Membership is currently $100 per year. Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of every month.

For further information contact Damien Gray (President) via email DAGray@theage.com.au or phone 9601-3106 / 0418 144 492