Margaret Downe and Faye Hendy have operated the famous Doveton Football Club canteen for longer than some players have been alive.By Glen Atwell
SPENDING Saturday at the local football wouldn’t be as satisfying without a trip to the canteen to load up on hot dogs, soft drinks and lollies.
The Doveton Football Club canteen has long been regarded as a benchmark for the Casey Cardinia League, a reputation made possible by the dedication of two unsung heroes.
Margaret Downe and Faye Hendy have operated the Doveton canteen for longer than some of the senior players have been alive.
So long, in fact, they have trouble remembering when it all began.
“It’s hard to say exactly how many years we’ve been in the canteen. It would be between 20 and 25 years,” Margaret said.
That’s a lot of meat pies.
“Faye and I get along so well, we talk, have a laugh, it’s always enjoyable.”
Faye said meeting so many new people made all the forgotten Saturdays worthwhile.
“We have a lot of fun, I’ve made so many friends, I love every minute of it,” she said.
After almost a quartercentury, Margaret can remember missing only one week in the canteen, but of course, offers an admirable excuse.
“I was giving birth to my son, Craig, so I couldn’t do much about that,” Margaret laughed.
Faye said seeing juniors progress through to the senior side was a thrill.
“Matthew Miller played his 150th senior game recently.
“I saw Matty come through the under18s. That’s the sort of thing that makes working in the canteen so rewarding,” Faye said.
The days behind the counter are long, according to Margaret, but she loves the feeling of helping out at the proud Frawley Road club.
“We’d get there about 8.30 in the morning and walk out around 5.30 in the afternoon.
“But we’re serving all day so it goes quickly. Sometimes we even get the chance to sneak out and watch some of the footy,” Margaret said.
In recent years, the canteen menu at Robinson Reserve has diversified to include salad rolls and vegetarian options, but Margaret said the favourite foods have always remained the same.
“Hot dogs and pies are popular picks,” she said. “A lot of people say our hot dogs are the best, that’s something we like to hear.”
Faye said it must be in the preparation.
“I don’t know why people love them,” she laughed.
“It’s just a Don hot dog and a roll from the local bakery, isn’t it?”
Faye said the canteen’s prices haven’t increased drastically over the years, a principle the club is famous for.
“We don’t charge more just for the sake of it, families don’t want to come to the footy and have to spend a fortune on food. Our pies have been $2.50 for a long time,” she said.
“If you start increasing prices, people will just bring their own lunch.”
For the ladies, and the club’s sake, let’s hope that never happens.
To nominate an unsung hero email sportstarnewsgroup.com.au with the name and contact details of the nominated person and their role within the club.
