The contribution of Danny Frawley to football and the wider Victorian community will be commemorated with the establishment of a centre for mental health at Frawley’s beloved Moorabbin Reserve.

The Victorian Budget 2020/21 will provide $7.3 million towards the creation of the Danny Frawley Centre for Health and Wellbeing at St Kilda’s home base.

Frawley captained St Kilda and later coached Richmond before moving into the media where he won admiration for his work on radio and television, but his enduring legacy stretches beyond sport.

In the years before his death in 2019, Frawley’s advocacy for mental health awareness had a profound impact on the community. He spoke openly about his mental health struggles and advocated for research while supporting and inspiring others to speak up.

The Danny Frawley Centre for Health and Wellbeing will include classroom spaces, consultation suites and breakout areas in the Moorabbin Reserve’s grandstand and aquatic facility. The Labor Government’s funding will also help to establish mental health and wellbeing services and programs.

The Commonwealth Government and St Kilda Football Club will also make contributions to the project with construction due to start early next year.

The Andrews Labor Government has previously provided $13 million funding for the development of St Kilda’s Moorabbin home, including works to provide best-practice facilities for the Saints’ AFLW team which entered the national competition this year.

Frawley played 240 games for St Kilda, 177 of them as captain. He won the club best-and-fairest award and All-Australian honours in 1988 and was inducted into St Kilda’s Hall of Fame in 2007.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula

“Danny Frawley was an inspirational Victorian on and off the field, and helped many people through his efforts to promote awareness of mental health issues.”

“The establishment of this centre is a fitting acknowledgement of his work and his standing in the community – and will provide an enduring legacy.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Health Martin Foley

“This is a great initiative and we are proud to not just be investing in buildings, but also the centre’s initial programs.”

Quote attributable to Member for Bentleigh Nick Staikos

“This centre will be the latest addition of the exciting Moorabbin Reserve redevelopment, which has been supported every step of the way by the Andrews Labor Government.”

Quote attributable to Anita Frawley

“We’re thrilled to see everything Danny stood for being brought to life. To have a facility named in his honour that will help so many people means the world to us.”

Quote attributable to St Kilda President Andrew Bassat  

“Before his passing, Danny shared his passion to create a place for not only St Kilda people, but the broader community to come and seek the help they need. We are so glad to be able embody his vision in a Centre named after him and to cement his legacy.”