Alex McCracken

Alexander McCracken
Born	Melbourne, Colony of Victoria
Died	August 25, 1915(1915-08-25) (aged 59) North Essendon, Victoria, Australia
Occupation(s)	Sports administrator, brewer
Known for	First president of the Victorian Football League; Essendon Football Club administrator; brewer

Alexander McCracken (7 May 1856 – 25 August 1915) played a significant role as a sports administrator for the Essendon Football Club and was the first president of the Victorian Football League.

Family

Born in Melbourne, Alexander was the son of Robert McCracken (1813–1885), a brewer who also served as Essendon Football Club’s inaugural president, and Margaret McCracken (1831–1905), née Hannay. His brother John (1853–1879) became Essendon’s first captain, while their cousin Coiler McCracken (1848–1915) was the club’s second captain.

On 19 July 1884, Alexander married Mary Elizabeth Peck (1863–1938), daughter of John Murray Peck, who co-founded Cobb and Co and held the position of vice-president at Essendon Football Club from 1898 to 1905. The couple had five children: Alec Lindsay McCracken (1885–1959), Joy Margaret Louisa McCracken (1886–1945), Murray Robert McCracken (1888–1964), Jean Mary McCracken (1890–1983), and Madge Huntington McCracken (1891–1967).

Education

Between 1869 and 1871, he was enrolled at Scotch College located in East Melbourne.

McCracken's Brewery

Alexander managed McCracken Brewery until its consolidation with five other companies in May 1907, forming Carlton & United Breweries Limited. Following this merger, he was appointed to the board as a Director.

Football

During Essendon Football Club’s formative years (1873-1877), Alex McCracken participated as a player alongside his relatives. The McCracken family, prominent in the brewing industry, were instrumental in establishing the club. Throughout his life, Alex took on various roles including honorary secretary, player, and ultimately president. He also held the presidency of the Victorian Football League until shortly before his passing.

Organisations and Associations

Alexander held leadership positions across a wide range of sporting and business organizations, such as:

• Essendon Football Club’s first secretary at age 17
• Inaugural president of the Victorian Football League (VFL), elected in 1897; he stepped down due to declining health prior to his death in 1915
• President of the Essendon Literary and Debating Society
• President of the Essendon Poultry, Dog, Pigeon and Canary Society
• President of the Essendon Town Fire Brigade
• President of Melbourne’s Brewers' Club
• Founder of Essendon Cricket, Rowing, and Tennis Clubs
• Founder of Oaklands Hunt Club
• Chairman of the Brewers' Association of Victoria in 1901
• Chairman of Manufacturers' Bottle Co. of Victoria in 1903
• Chairman of Liquor Trades Defence Union in 1903
• Chairman of Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria from 1909 to 1915
• Vice-President roles at Essendon Golf Club, North Suburban Cycling Club, and Victorian Racing Club
• Patron of Essendon Bowling Club
• Director positions at Trustees Executors & Agency Co. Ltd. and Victoria Insurance Co.

Politics

In 1894, Alexander McCracken ran as a candidate for the Free-Trade Democratic Association in the Victorian Legislative Assembly seat covering Essendon and Flemington. He challenged incumbent MLA Alfred Deakin, an Independent. Despite initial hesitation due to his friendship with Deakin, McCracken accepted the nomination out of civic responsibility. Their electoral contest was marked by mutual respect and fairness.

Ultimately, McCracken was decisively defeated, with Deakin receiving nearly twice as many votes. Following this election, McCracken chose not to engage further in political pursuits.

Properties

The Essendon Football Club originally held its matches on Robert McCracken's "Ailsa" estate before moving to the East Melbourne Ground to participate in the V.F.A.

McCracken constructed a grand residence named "North Park," now known as the Columban Mission, located in Essendon. Although he was a devout Presbyterian and included a clause in his will to prevent the property's transfer to a Catholic organization, it ultimately became the St. Columban Mission following ownership changes.

In addition, McCracken possessed a rural property called "Cumberland." This estate, along with nearby locations such as the Inverness Hotel and Alister Clark's "Glenara," served as venues for post-hunt festivities until the Oaklands Hunt Club acquired "Sherwood." After McCracken passed away, the Johnson family took up residence at "Cumberland." The house was destroyed by fire during the 1950s, but its granite remains can still be seen within Woodlands Historic Park. It is also significant that "Cumberland" was initially granted to Thomas Wills, an early overlander and uncle of Tom Wills, who is credited with founding Australian Rules Football.

Death

Alexander McCracken passed away at his North Essendon home, "North Park," on 25 August 1915. He was laid to rest two days later in a private service at Melbourne General Cemetery. Up until shortly before his death, he had served as president of the Victorian Football League (VFL) from its establishment in 1897 through 1915. His tenure was characterized by prudent leadership and tactful management, which were pivotal to the League's growth and stability. A devoted football player and enthusiast during his youth, McCracken evolved into a generous benefactor of the sport, earning widespread respect from both players and supporters. Importantly, the Essendon Football Club first competed on land owned by his family; he also held positions as the club’s first secretary and later as its president.

Legends of Essendon

As recognition for his foundational contributions and enduring influence on the club, McCracken was among the inaugural ten individuals inducted into the Essendon Football Club Hall of Fame with "Legend" status.

References

• Aldous, Grant, The Stop-over That Stayed: A History Of Essendon, City of Essendon, 1988.
• Bragiola, Alex (Frost, Leonore, ed.). The Fine Homes of Essendon and Flemington, 1846-1880, Essendon Historical Society, 2010.
• Cameron-Kennedy, D.F., The Oaklands Hunt, 1888-1988: A Chronicle of Events, D.F. Cameron-Kennedy, 1989.
• Gellie, G.H., "McCracken, Alexander (1856–1915)", in Nairn & Serle (eds.), Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 10, Melbourne University Press, 1986.
• Mancini, Anne & Hibbins, Gillian Mary, Running with the Ball: Football's Foster Father, Lynedoch Publications, 1987.
• Maplestone, M., Flying Higher: History of the Essendon Football Club 1872–1996, Essendon Football Club, 1996.
• Peck, Harry H., Memoirs of a Stockman, Stock and Land Publishing Company, 1942.
• Ross, J. (ed), 100 Years of Australian Football 1897–1996, Viking, 1996.