Kenneth Luke

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Sir Kenneth Luke (11 November 1896 - 13 June 1971) was a self-made millionaire manufacturer and a leading Australian rules football administrator in the Victorian Football League (VFL). He was president of the VFL between 1956 and 1971 and president of the Carlton Football Club from 1938 to 1955.

Born in Port Melbourne, Victoria to labourer George Edwin and Minnie Anne Luke (nee Bensley) from London, Luke went to South Brunswick State School and Ballarat High School. At 14, he was apprenticed to an engraver in a silver factory. Diligent and ambitious, he had saved enough from his wages at the age of 24 to become a partner in a small metal spinning and silverware business based in Carlton. Just four years later, he owned the business, which employed seven men. Luke inspired remarkable loyalty: all seven workers were still there thirty years on, by which time the workforce had grown to over six hundred. The company manufactured a broad range of products such as silverware, stainless-steel surgical equipment, plated goods and glass-washing machines.

In 1929, Luke moved to larger premises in Fitzroy, doubled his staff and introduced new lines. He was a constant presence at the factory, working every weeknight and weekends. After three seasons as a committeman, Luke was voted president of the Carlton Football Club in 1938. He was instrumental in luring Brighton Diggins from South Melbourne FC (now the Sydney Swans) to become playing coach of the Blues. The effect was immediate - Carlton ended a 23-year premiership drought in a Grand Final against Collingwood that attracted the Australian record sporting crowd of 96,834. Five months later, in February 1939, Luke married Valda Richardson in a ceremony held in London. At the outbreak of World War II production at his factory was increased to serve the war effort and Luke was an honorary adviser to the Department of Supply and Shipping during the war years.

After the war, Luke expanded his interests. He purchased Deepfields, a rural holding at Romsey, north of Melbourne. Originally a weekend retreat, Luke made it into a champion Dorset Horn and Polled Hereford stud. He owned and raced a number of horses that had double 'f' names, such as Feeling Fine and Fighting Force. Continuing his involvement with Carlton, he presided over two more premiership wins (1945 and 1947) while becoming VFL vice-president in 1946. In November 1949, the government appointed him a trustee of the Royal Exhibition Building and he served two terms as chairman (1954-57 and 1961-63). A notable supporter of charitable causes, Luke founded the White Ensign Club for sailors in 1952. During this period, he continued to keep a close eye on his business, which listed as a public company, K. G. Luke (Australasia) Limited, in 1953. Always keen to progress, he travelled extensively to keep up with new manufacturing techniques, such as automation.

With postwar growth generating record crowds, he consolidated central administration and professionalized the game for players. In 1962 the VFL bought land at Waverley for a new ground, which Luke envisaged as an alternative to the Melbourne Cricket Ground for football finals. VFL Park, now Waverley Park, his legacy, opened in 1970.

'KG', as he was known, was a self-made man, hard-working and disciplined, but also far-sighted, courteous and even-tempered. The range of his interests and the number of his involvements was remarkable—he believed that a busy man could always take on another job. He was a councillor of the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria and a member of at least fourteen clubs, including the Savage, the Victoria Racing and the Melbourne Cricket clubs. Luke was appointed C.M.G. in 1954 and knighted in 1962. Survived by his wife and daughter, Luke died on 13 June 1971 at his Hawthorn home and was cremated. By that time K. G. Luke Group Industries Ltd, with twelve subsidiaries, had sales of $17.2 million and an annual profit of nearly $3 million. Luke's estate was sworn for probate at $412,156. A stand at Waverley Park is named after him and a portrait by Paul Fitzgerald is held by the Australian Football League.

Luke was a member of the Carlton Football Club] committee from 1935 to 1937 and Carlton President from 1938 to 1955. He also served as VFL Vice-President 1946 to 1955 and VFL President 1956 to 1971. Along with Eric McCutchan he played a major role in the purchase of land for Waverley Park in 1962 and the development of the stadium.

Sir Kenneth was inducted to the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 1996.