My next ‘Where are they Now’ might rub you up the wrong way. Only joking of course as Michael Thomas Quinlivan is qualified with an Advance Diploma of Myotherapy and Diploma of Specialised Bowen Therapy, a holistic technique that works on soft connective tissue (Fascia) of the body. A Bowen treatment consists of sequences of small moves, each at a specific site on the body. Michael founded Border Natural Therapies in Wodonga 1997 and played a vital role in the business until his retirement in December 2022. He had a vision of developing a multi practitioner clinic, offering high quality treatments to people in the Border area and is proud to see that become a reality. He brought a wealth of experience and knowledge to the clinic with his experiences in VFL Umpiring and long distance running. Having been a Bowen technique (Bowtech) Instructor since 1998, he also played a vital role in the National Accreditation of the Bowen Therapy training which Michael and his partner Karen set up.
Born to Ted & Mary Quinlivan on the 25th March 1945 in Wangaratta, the family lived in Whorouly, a small town in North East Victoria. Its name is derived from an Aboriginal word meaning ‘Black Cockatoo’. Attending the Whorouly East primary from 1950 to 1951, when the family of five, Michael being 2nd in line, moved to Moyhu in 1952, a town situated in thr fertile King Valley, 25 kilometers from Wangaratta. Michael attended the local primary school where the student to teacher ratio was 1 to 3, for four years before graduating to Champagnat College for another 4 years. Michael’s father was a teacher and was transferred to Strathmore, so the family moved once again, this time trading country life to pursue greater opportunity in the suburbs. Michael attended CBC Essendon for 3 years then moved on to Coburg Teachers College where he graduated as a primary school teacher. His first appointment was to Tallangatta Primary School for two years, where he met his future wife Di. They now have three sons and three grandchildren. Michael played football for one year with the Bullioh Football Club. After being introduced to umpiring by VFL Reserve Grade Boardman Tom McKenna, Michael requested a transfer to Melbourne to pursue umpiring. Michael was moved to Glenroy Primary school for five years, before moving again, this time to the Melbourne Teachers College to complete a Teacher-Librarian Certificate. Having earned his qualification, Michael took up librarianship at Coburg East Primary and Broadmeadows Primary. He would spend 1974 and 1975 as District Library Advisor to 37 schools in the Whittlesea area. Michael’s last teaching appointment was the Vice Principal at Footscray North Primary in 1977 but during that year joined a Commercial Company selling Library books and audio-visual material to schools.
Supplementing his busy work life, Michael would umpire on Saturdays and often play football on Sunday. His first appointment on the VFLRG was an Under 15 game at the Basin. After only one game was requested to officiate Mid-Week Teacher college matches, sharing the load with Allan ‘Froggy’ Thompson. Former North Melbourne player Bernie McCarthy gave Michael some valuable advice for which he was grateful at that early stage of his career. With several Under 19 games under his belt and 3 finals, Michael finished the 1967 season as emergency to Don Blew in the Reserve grade preliminary final.
Promoted onto the VFL Senior list in 1968, Michael’s first game was in the West Gippsland F.L. umpiring at Kooweerup where the home side (19.20) defeated Longwarry (8.4). After 26 VCFL games and just two years on the list training under Harold Hodgson, Michael was promoted to the City Panel. During his first couple of sessions he impressed all umpires with his running style, so much so that umpires Crouch, Sheales, Dye and Sheen all requested to train with Michael, hoping his style would rub off on them. Michael received his first VFL Reserve grade game at the M.C.G. on the 19th July 1969 where Richmond (24.21) defeated South Melbourne (11.11).
1968 Mid Murray Grand Final at Nyah
Michael’s seven years with the VFL saw him officiate in 30 VFLRG games and 121 VCFL games, including 13 finals and 6 grand finals in the Mid Murray, Waranga Nth East, West Gippsland, Tyrell, Farrer andNorthern District leagues. In 1973 Michael umpired 11 reserve grade games in a row and would have been close to a senior game. However, sickness put a quick end to any hopes of promotion. I’m reliably informed that during the 1973 season a senior umpire left his bag at home. Michael, who was officiating in the reserves, was replace at ¾ time ready to take the field in the seniors. Unfortunately for Michael that umpire turned up with his bag with only 3 minutes before the opening bounce. Cannot get much closer to a senior game than that opportunity. Whilst umpiring on the senior list Michael was introduced to Fergie Speakman who trained professional runners. Michael became involved in the amateur and professional athletics, winning the Maryborough Mile in 1969. Prior to that, whilst teaching in Tallangatta he won the Tallangatta Valley Gift which meant he was no longer an amateur. Unfortunately, his illness put an end to his umpiring career, having to retire mid-way through the 1974 season, with his last game being in the Mornington Peninsula League where Seaford (17.19) defeated Carrum (13.7) at Seaford.
In 1979 Michael returned to umpiring with the NSWAFL, but after two years applied for the position as Umpires Adviser with the Albury Umpires Association. Whilst carrying out that role Michael also helped with umpiring on the weekend when the numbers were short. At the end of 1983 he resigned from the Albury Umpires and umpired in the Ovens & Murray League for one year before he took on the role as VFL Country Observer at the request of Bill Deller OAM, mainly covering the Ovens and Murray league sending reports back on umpires’ until 1987.
In 1988 Michael purchased a bar called Maudie’s and it was the only place you could be entertained well after midnight by a Country & Western Singer. School Teachers, Police Officers, Lawyers, Politicians and Media all rubbed shoulders most nights, especially Friday night where well over 400 people would be in attendance. You were able to cook your own steak on a grill in the corner. Good investment Michael. Following a ten-year hiatus from umpiring would end in 1997 when Michael once again took on the role as Umpire Adviser with the Albury Umpires, a position he would keep for the next three years.
In 1997 after completing his studies in Bowen Therapy Michael and partner Karen started a business in Wodonga where he had staff of 8 in the clinic servicing people in both Albury & Wodonga until his retirement after 25 years. Since 2002 they have operated a Registered Training Organization business teaching Bowen Therapy and all levels of Massage in Victoria and having 30 teachers delivering their Bowen Therapy qualifications around Australia. They have also delivered Bowen Therapy Workshops in many countries in Europe which was unfortunately discontinued due to the pandemic.
Michael’s entire journey went from 1963 to year 2000 and he can surely say he was pleased to be involved in a very enjoyable umpiring career.
2012 was the year that Michael became an associate member of the AFLUA. In 2015 he was awarded Life membership at the AFLUA awards evening for his 7 years umpiring and 3 years associate membership.
Today in Michael’s leisure time he is involved in activities for personal fitness and enjoyment such as cycling with several mates every morning to keep fit. He also tries his hand at wood turning all this whilst keeping an interest in the business he founded with his partner.
Lovely to chat and reminisce Michael, good luck with your retirement,
Graeme ‘Wizzer’ Fellows