Mike, Irene, Paul

Bullcreek Leeming’s Mike Petkovich speaks to Cameron Palmer

When most hear the name Petkovich they say Bullcreek Leeming.

For over 25 years the name Petkovich has been synonymous with the Bullcreek Leeming Amateur Football Club led by a unique trio of Husband-Wife-Son or Mike-Irene-Paul.

Mike Petkovich was the club’s first coach in 1995. From here, he spent eleven years as Club President across four different stints, was awarded club Life Membership in 2004 and recognised twice as Best Club Person.

“It’s been a wonderful experience and something that I will cherish for the rest of my life, and the way things have evolved I have great passion for this club,” Mike said when talking about his own involvement and the involvement of his family at Bullcreek Leeming.

Mike’s son, Paul has equally carved his name alongside his father as a Bullcreek Leeming great. He has played over 400 games for the club, is a premiership player, a former Club President and recognised the Best Club Person on three occasions.

“I never pushed Paul, I always wanted to see him succeed,” Mike said when talking of the pride he has had in seeing his son equally involved at the football club.

“I really just wanted him to enjoy himself and he has.”

Yet, in the eyes of the Bullcreek Leeming Amateur Football Club, as well as both Mike and Paul, there is another Petkovich whose contributions to the club have been just as significant.

That is the contribution of Irene Petkovich, the late wife of Mike and mother of Paul.

For that same near 25 years that Mike and Paul have been involved with the club, Irene was giving the same dedicated service and commitment to the club.

Until her sudden passing in 2019, Irene was an equally important part of the club. From running the canteen to stints as both Treasurer and Secretary, Irene could be counted on to help. As well as finding the time for her own duties, Irene always made sure to find time to watch her son Paul play each week and be there to support husband Mike with everything he did around the club.

As somewhat a trailblazer for female involvement in football, Irene won the 2016 Best Club Person Award and in 2018 was the first female at the club to be awarded Life Membership.

Yet, one year after her passing and being awarded Life Membership, the club named its Best Club Person Award - the Irene Petkovich Medal.

“Irene was such a humble person,” Mike said when asked about what his late wife’s thoughts would have been for being recognised in this way.

“But I think she would appreciate the significance of what it means and I am incredibly proud of her.”

It is a unique achievement for a community footy club to have a husband-wife-son trio combine to contribute 75 years of dedication and commitment to a club with each being awarded Life Membership.

“I am so grateful to the club because they have honoured in many, many ways, it’s a real tribute,” Mike said.

“It’s a great club.”

Mike and Paul are both rightly considered greats of the club.  Irene is now rightly recognised as something even more significant.