‘Dipper’ Stawell ambassador

Hawthorn football legend and former Brownlow Medalist Robert Dipierdomenico will be Stawell’s Australia Day ambassador next month.

Dipierdomenico, also known as ‘Dipper’, will address the Stawell community during celebrations at Cato Park at 6pm on January 26.

He will also help present the district’s Citizen of the Year award with Northern Grampians Shire mayor Kevin Erwin.

Cr Erwin said the addition of Dipierdomenico to Stawell’s Australia Day festivities would help generate interest.

“It’s great to have such a recognisable figure like ‘Dipper’ joining us,” he said.

“Hopefully that helps attract a large crowd for our Australia Day celebrations.

“He’s a well-known personality and a funny man as well.”

Dipierdomenico is a fivetime premiership player with Hawthorn, playing 240 games during his VFL-AFL career and claiming the 1986 Brownlow Medal as the league’s best and fairest player.

After retiring from football he forged a career as a boundary rider for Channel 7’s AFL coverage and became a media personality. He also worked as an ambassador for The Alannah and Madeline Foundation, a national charity protecting children from violence.