We seek him here, we seek him there, but the question everyone is asking is; is it Peter, Desmond, George or Jorj? I’m that confused I’m not sure what to call my next Where are they Now?. Let’s go with Peter Desmond ‘Jorj’ Lawlor. The name George came about when an Uncle could not remember his name, so he called Peter Jorj, and the name stuck so much that everybody now calls Peter, George.
Born on the 16th November 1959 to John Lawlor & Rita Ryan, George was the son of a Victorian Post Master General, spending his early years in the town of Sale, later moving to Maffra and eventually settling in Dandenong. George’s parents met serving in WWII, John a soldier and Rita a trained theatre nurse, completing her studies and training in Wangaratta. Before the war John was a notable sportsman, having played VFL football with South Melbourne and district cricket with Richmond. He was due to play for Victoria in a Sheffield Shield 2nd XI, but the war broke out and it never happened. If it had not been for the war, George’s parents may never have met and produced the family that today consists of 5 siblings, 3 boys and 2 girls, George being the second youngest.
Lawlor with Ian Clayton and David Mitchell at an X-Umpires luncheon in 2023.
In 1965 whilst attending St Mary’s Catholic Primary School George joined the St Mary’s Football Club in the Dandenong F.L. Whilst it was an enormous amount of fun, the club saw little success, winning only 2 games in 8 years. As the club’s oldest age group was under 14s, if George was to continue playing football he would have to find a new club. This is when George’s eldest brother Kevin—who was a field umpire with the South West Gippsland F.L.—stepped in, suggesting that George take on boundary umpiring as it was a great way to get fit and earn pocket money. As a naïve 16-year-old, George was gobsmacked when he got his first monthly league payment of $44. Could this have been the reason that his eyes opened to umpiring?
Now George, a keen sportsman who loved his unsuccessful football days, also loved Cricket and during the summer months played with St Mary in the Dandenong Cricket Association. Having success with the bat, George was invited to join the Richmond District Club where he received one game in the 4ths and one game in the 3rds before being picked in the Club’s Dowling Shield team. Many a good cricketer went on to play Shield and Test Cricket from the Dowling Squad. This all happened before football umpiring took over.
Having caught the umpiring bug, George transferred over to field umpiring after two years with the South West Gippsland F.L. In 1979 they merged with the Southern F.L., where George spent a further two years before applying to the VFL Reserve Grade. Rapidly rising through the ranks, in 1981 he was appointed to the U.19 Qualifying Final; Geelong 27.12 defeated Richmond 16.12. His partner that day was Greg Raynor.
The following year after umpiring most of the season in the Under 19’s George, along with Craig Langham, was awarded the Melbourne v. Fitzroy Grand Final. The umpires’ board were so impressed that they nominated George to be promoted onto the Senior list for the following season. With only one year umpiring around the bush in 1983, round 3 saw George appointed to his first Reserve Grade game, North Melb. 21.12 d. Footscray 9.17, partnered with Shane Nolan.
Of course umpiring was a part time enjoyment, when after completing his schooling at St John’s College Dandenong in 1977 George commenced his working life with the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney in Dandenong. After being transferred to the South Melbourne Branch, it was during this time that he met his wife Jenny from the Western part of Victoria a town called Willaura as both had been transferred to the South Melbourne branch.
Whilst he enjoyed his time at the Bank George recognised it was not his long-term career and made his way into the sports industry, managing 2 retail outlets before starting his career with Nike in 1986. George spent the next 35 years with that magnificent company working most of his time in sports marketing. In this role he had the privilege of meeting many famous sports people and attending to their needs with the best sporting gear in the business, including working with Shane Warne for 8 years.
Playing basketball, tennis and golf, as well as his Umpiring and Cricket, something had to give as it appeared that George was on his way to Umpire Senior VFL. After only 17 Reserve Grade games George was appointed to his first senior VFL game Melbourne 8.11 d. St Kilda 7.8 on the 10/8/1985. He has retrospectively allocated heritage number 305. His partner that day was Tony Bryant.
In 1986 George had a stellar year, appointed to the V.F.L. Preliminary Final; Footscray 15.12 d. Hawthorn 10.16. Things went off the rails a little as George’s last year and a half was spent mostly umpiring in the V.F.A. In 1990 George’s work commitments were becoming huge so at the end of the season called umpiring quits due to the heavy demand to concentrate on his employment.
Lawlor (top right) displays his silver whistle with his fellow recipients.
During his eight years on the list he umpired 12 VFL games, 40 VFL Reserve grade games, 60 V.C.F.L. games including 8 finals, 4 VCFL Grand Finals in (Kowree Naracorte, Alberton and Riverina & Northern Echuca F.L.), 5 representative games which included Ovens & Murray v. Bendigo and Goulburn Valley v. Bendigo and in 1982 George was the recipient of the World of Sport Silver Whistle award for his services to Umpiring, shared the award with Craig Langham. The Gold Whistle award went to Glenn James & Rowan Sawers.
The following year George was contacted by Southern Umpires Director Kevin Smith to umpire with the younger umpires with on field coaching. This worked so well that George umpired in the V.A.F.A, operating in the same manner helping Brian Bulluss with the young umpires. Then to complete his umpiring career helped Geoff Morrow in the APS program.
During his time with Nike George travelled extensively, attending 5 Olympics and numerous Sporting Events. George was awarded Honorary Life membership to the AFLUA in 2012, as with his assistance Nike helped umpires with generous member benefits partnership.
Today George and wife Jenny have 2 children, a boy Dan who umpired in the VFL for six years, and a daughter Jessie. They are proud Grand Parents to 2 grandchildren. Since 2016 George has been an ambassador for the Fiona McBurney match day experience and today works part time at the RACV club in the city as part of their concierge team. Privately he has travelled through Europe and the United States and hopes to complete more travel when he retires.
Congratulations George on a successful sporting career look forward to seeing you at the Caulfield lunches in the new year.
Graeme ‘Wizzer’ Fellows