West mourns a true club Giant
THE final siren has sounded on long-serving Geelong West Giants timekeeper John Biviano.
The passionate Geelong West supporter passed away on Saturday.
Biviano sat in the timekeepers’ box for his 700th game in 2018 and kept a dossier of player records.
He was also a volunteer for St Peter’s in the 1970s, helping establish a junior base to allow the club to survive and thrive.
Biviano was also the timekeeper for interleague games and was a life member of both the GFL and Geelong West.
The club’s social media post on Sunday night was flooded with tributes to the man who dedicated more than four decades to the GFL club.
Giants veteran Scott Frangos said: “What an absolute legend. Always smiling and always ready to have a chat. He knew how many games anyone had played at any one time. He will be missed. Just a great man.”
Coach Greg Mellor said: “Such a dedicated and selfless volunteer. His record keeping of players’ games was on point. We were lucky to have him a part of our club.”
Bannockburn president Scott Penning added: “Truly a sad passing of a great within local footy. A legend who will be missed.”
Geelong West president Paul Eastman said Biviano’s dedication to the club and local football was “rare and special”.
“An indication of the sort of person John was in 2018 he was named a VIVA Local Legend,” Eastman said. “Attached to this honour were cash prizes of $1000 that went to the club and $1000 to the individual.
“I remember walking out of the awards ceremony with John and one of the first things he said was that the $1000 personal prize would be donated to the club.”
Biviano started timekeeping in 1980 and retired from the role in 2018.
In an interview the week after his 700th game, Biviano spoke of his passion for the club.
“It’s a love of the club, a love of the game and an interest in football and like any other supporter, the club is at heart,” he said.
“You just do what you can to help — I tried to play football but wasn’t any good so I did the next best thing.”