Michael Bowden: His is a remarkable legacy that will last for generations

MICHAEL Bowden (21.3.1947 – 11.4.2020) was a unique man; physically strong and intellectually determined, he was defined not by strength, but by decency

Former Richmond footballer Michael Bowden was diagnosed with motor neuron disease. Pictured here with grandson Toby Mallard, 3.

Michael Bowden (21.3.1947 – 11.4.2020) was a unique man; physically strong and intellectually determined, he was defined not by strength but by decency.

His life’s early trajectory was built on a common Australian arc – childhood, education, sport, the Catholic Church and family; and from an early age the concept of social justice based on the principle of fairness was his guide.

He did great things, but refused to be defined by the things he achieved, like a premiership with the Richmond Football Club – for him it was the little things that mattered.

Richmond footballer Michael Bowden during a game against Footscray in September 1969.

He had care and empathy for those not as fortunate as himself; a faith in the goodness of people.

Mike Bowden believed in life. He had an almost child-like love of the sporting field, and the pure contest that went with sport - and the outdoors. He would marvel at natural beauty, subtle changes in the country, a bird riding high on its wing, “…the achievement of, the mastery of the thing” he would say quoting G.M. Hopkins.

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He was driven by a yearning, or an urge, difficult to define and hard to locate at its source, that would propel his family on a road less travelled – he and his wife Judy followed a classic, ere forgotten, Australian path of moving beyond the suburbs, to the outer, and the outback; adopting basic Australian values of family, community and egalitarianism rather than economic expansion, personal fame or the accumulation of wealth.

He did great things, but refused to be defined by the things he achieved

Always reaching out he sought to join people in common cause and to find unity in being fair and decent; not divisive or exploitative. If there is a theme in his life to recall, it is that.

Whilst larger than life he is remembered by his family for a life of simple rituals centred on endless cups of tea, big family dinners and the grandchildren in his and Judy’s midst.

Always honest he was known by his family, fully human, fallible but consistent and constant in his love for his family.

The extraordinarily big Bowden family of which Michael was the patriarch. Michael and his wife Judy had seven children — Charlie, Sean, Rhett, Kane, Joel, Patrick and Majella. Picture: SUPPLIED

Mike Bowden sought to use his strengths to the benefit of those weaker than him – and he never allowed himself to be co-opted by others.

For a half century he contributed to the lives, and the causes of Aboriginal people.

He believed in the return of lands, equity in education and its delivery, and a respect for uniqueness, diversity and that which had come before, and which remains.

His intuition with Aboriginal people was not to project a cause or an ideology, or stir up a fight – though he fought many when he had to – his intuition was as it was with everyone – to reach out and to try and make life better for the other person. He leaves behind lifelong friendships, and allegiances because of this simple method of engagement.

Michael Bowden had a true connection to the Northern Territory

A recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia, a Life Member of the Labor Party and the Richmond Football Club, Mike Bowden was archetypically Australian; a sporting hero; with sporting hero children; he had friendship and respect Australia-wide; a beautiful wife who balanced and loved him in every way; around him were political and community leaders who respected and followed his guidance.

Yet he chose to sit with the Arrernte people in the Bush Church when he could have sat with the Cardinal in the Cathedral.

And he stayed a believer in people even when he saw failures to adopt the basic principles of fairness that he so believed in

He did not take political office, when the pathway continued to present after a fill-in campaign in 2001 nearly brought an extraordinary victory.

He manned the scoreboard at Traeger Park when he could have coached at the MCG.

And he stayed a believer in people even when he saw failures to adopt the basic principles of fairness that he so believed in.

He believed the Territory was big enough in size and spirit to cater for the legitimate aspirations of all people, and that simple methods of fairness and social responsibility should be applied in making that happen.

Michael Bowden and Alice Springs children.

As a teacher his service was marked by his belief in a student’s ability to be better and achieve things they may not have thought possible; applying the same principle to his colleagues. Similarly as a football coach he simply wanted to see a person give his or her all, and do their best in the contest. In the Catholic community he sought to channel himself towards those who were most in need.

Mike Bowden obtained a doctorate in 2019 exploring the Arrernte concept of Altyerre, looking for the alignment between Christian doctrine and the ancient religious traditions of the Arrernte people.

And at the same time he received delivery of the 2019 Richmond Premiership Cup.

In doing all this he was a man who linked up the Northern Territory, and the people of the Northern Territory – always striving for the better man in himself and in us all, wanting us to be good to each other and share in the wealth of the place: to even it out and give everyone a chance at a good life. And to achieve not with words but with action.

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In the end he was, as Alfred Tennyson wrote: “Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will”. He passed away at home surrounded by his extended family. He is survived by his wife Judy, his sons Charlie, Sean, Rhett, Kane, Joel and Patrick, his daughter Majella and 18 grandchildren.

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The NT News thanks the Bowden family for their contribution and sends its heartfelt condolences on the loss of such a wonderful and selfless Territorian. RIP Michael Bowden.