Vale Judy Outridge, an ‘iconic’ supporter of Victorian football
Hearts are heavy at a number of sporting clubs after the death of Judy, who always dressed in her team’s colours. “There will be a big gap at Port Melbourne without Jude,’’ ex-Borough president Peter Saultry said.
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THE phone would ring at 3.30pm on the dot most days.
Port Melbourne Football Club office staff knew it would be supporter Judy Outridge calling, to comment on the weekend performance, ask questions about the approaching game or check in for other news.
In the off-season she wanted to know about recruits and who would be coaching.
A member for many years, she rarely missed a Borough match, always dressing in the club colours: the jumper, a beanie or cap, and a scarf. Red and blue ribbons fluttered from the walker she had used in recent years.
Judy also followed Williamstown, which she began to support when her AFL team, Collingwood, took up a VFL alignment with the Seagulls. She stuck with the Towners when the alignment ended.
When Williamstown and Port Melbourne played each other she wore both jumpers. And, as former Port president Peter Saultry recalled with a chuckle this morning, she would slip into the toilets and display the jumper of the team that looked like winning.
Judy Outridge died last Thursday after a brief illness. She was 73. When Port shared news of her passing on social media, many people expressed sorrow at the loss of such a familiar figure and devoted football fan.
One called her an institution. Another said they didn’t make supporters like Judy any more. Everyone knew her, even if they did not know her surname. To VFA/VFL fans she was simply “Judy’’ or “Jude’’.
As former Willy general manager Brendan Curry saw it, she was an “iconic’’ supporter.
Just as she called in to Port Melbourne, she would regularly ring the Williamstown office.
Living in the bayside area, and without a driver’s licence, Judy relied on public transport to get to games. When it wasn’t available she used taxis; Curry called them for her after matches at Williamstown.
Judy always let Curry know when her birthday was coming up, and he would give her a Williamstown membership as a gift. She returned the favour by sending him a Christmas card and a present, always a box of tissues.
“You never saw Jude without the jumper on. She always wanted to look the part,’’ Curry said.
He said football was a large part of Judy’s life, and the clubs she followed made her feel welcome. Curry marvelled at football’s ability to bring people from many backgrounds together.
Judy also supported Northcote Cricket Club, turning out in her green polo shirt and with a flag. The Dragons said she would leave the ground at 5pm and often phone at 6pm to find out the result.
When matches were washed out she would express her disappointment to Saultry. They were close; she would phone him every Sunday.
Recently she was worried about the revamp of the VFL and whether the Borough would be part of it. “Don’t worry, Jude, we’re the most famous club in Australia. We’ll be there,’’ he responded. The words soothed her.
When Saultry was president Judy attended the AGMs and would sometimes chip in with questions. He patiently replied as he tried to stick to the agenda. And he made a point of acknowledging her birthday with a gift, adding a second for Christmas.
She liked to receive cards in the mail. Port always gave her a membership and a VFL pass to get her into away games.
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Saultry also ordered many taxis for her, answering her tap at the door of the office.
When he handed over the presidency to Michael Shulman he made a point of introducing his successor to Judy. She often asked Saultry about him: “Spoken to Michael?’’
Saultry still laughs about the time Judy arrived at a game and realised she had left her lunch at home.
He said he would get her something from the canteen. “Dim sims,’’ she said. “OK, I’ll get you a couple of dim sims,’’ he replied. “Four,’’ she said.
Port communications manager Sammy Wharton called her “one of those supporters you could rely upon, always there and passionate’’.
For many years Judy Outridge lived at Hampton and attended Bayley House, which supports people with intellectual disabilities. Bayley House is helping to arrange the funeral service and has asked Saultry to speak. He said he would be proud to do so. He considered Judy a long-time friend.
Saultry said the club and the competition as a whole would be poorer for her passing.
“There will be a big gap at Port Melbourne without Jude,’’ he said.