George Johnston’s family members want 1934 Magarey Medal donated to Glenelg

GEORGE “Blue” Johnston’s 1934 Magarey Medal is caught in a custody battle.

GEORGE “Blue” Johnston’s 1934 Magarey Medal is caught in a custody battle.

Johnston’s extended family is challenging the rights of the medal’s current holder, Sue Jarrett, to put the SANFL trophy on sale. It has called for the Magarey to be handed to the Glenelg Football Club where Johnston played 203 league games in the 1930s.

CORNES: WHERE SHOUD BLUE’S MAGAREY MEDAL GO?

Johnston’s niece, Deidre Tipper, says she and fellow family members were stunned on learning the whereabouts - and plans for - the 1934 Magarey Medal when reading The Advertiser on Wednesday.

“We are up in arms about it,” Mrs Tipper told The Advertiser on Friday.

“We were in shock when we saw the medal again in the paper.

“We do not know who this woman (Ms Jarrett) is - none of us have ever heard of her.

“And we do not know how she came to have the medal. When our uncle died (in 1994) none of knew what happened to the medal.”

Ms Jarrett told The Advertiser that George Johnston was “like a father” to her and he handed her the medal in 1993, along with other football memorabilia. She is moving to the Sunshine Coast in Queensland and is considering the option of selling the medal. It is valued at $15,000.

Mrs Tipper wants Glenelg to reclaim the Magarey Medal.

“Why does (Ms Jarrett) want to sell it,” Mrs Tipper said.

“We do not want it for us - nor do we want money. We want it given to the Glenelg Football Club - that is where that Magarey Medal belongs.”

Ms Jarrett said she had earlier contacted Glenelg to discuss putting Johnston’s Magarey Medal on display at the club, but her telephone call to the Tigers was not returned.

Glenelg president Nick Chigwidden told The Advertiser the Tigers want the medal, but cannot enter an auction for the Magarey.

“We see that Magarey Medal as an important part of our history - and we would love to have it on display at our club as a central piece of our football memorabilia,” Chigwidden said.

“But we are not in a position to bid $15,000 at auction. We will do whatever we can to get the medal but we will need a benefactor to help us.”