Vale Ivan Sesar, born 1933 in Podvranic, Hercegovina
Ivan Sesar, the inaugural secretary of North Geelong Soccer Club, died in his adopted home town of Geelong this morning. He was aged 86.
Ivan was fondly known for his irreverent humour and trademark wit, traits passed on to his three surviving sons – Vice, Zdravko and Zdenko – all of whom went on to play for the club through the 80s and 90s.
Ivan was born in the town of Podvranic in Hercegovina in 1933 before embarking on the type of journey lived by many of the first wave of migrants into Australia, arriving in 1959, marrying Stosa in 1963 and living out his life in Geelong until his death this morning.
Ivan would be a driving force behind the formation of the North Geelong Soccer Club, which still stands proudly today as the North Geelong Warriors.
Along with the likes of Mirko Hrkac, Vinko Radojevic and Aldo Siketa, the club was incorporated in late 1967 with Ivan appointed as the inaugural Club Secretary.
Years later, when asked why he assumed the role, his response – laced with typical humour – was that of the group “he was the only doer”.
He would also lay claim to putting the “North” into “North Geelong”. After the name Geelong Soccer Club was rejected, due to a team of the same name existing, he added the prefix “North”; although many claim his preferred option remained ‘Nort’.
Like many community clubs of its era, the club was formed as a hub for the emerging Croatian population that was settling in Geelong and finding manufacturing employment at the Ford Motor Company, International Harvester and Rylands Brothers.
These soccer clubs would form the bedrock of the integration of these Croatian migrants into Australian life whilst affording them a connection back to their motherland. A sensibility that still continues three generations on.
In addition to his role as one of the “founding fathers”, Ivan would be involved in the club for many years as an official and member.
Beyond the club’s continued existence, Ivan’s legacy remains threaded throughout the modern incarnation of the club.
Members of his extended family, many inspired by his gregarious nature, continue to be actively involved in the management of the Warriors to this day all connected directly to “Tetak Ivan”.
Ivan Sesar is survived by his three sons, daughter-in-law, five grandchildren and his nephew Veseljko Sesar with Stosa tragically passing away in 1997.
In the first photo below Ivan Sesar (right), is pictured along side Aldo Siketa (middle) and Vinko Radojevic (left) after the club won its first ever trophy in 1970. On that day, North Geelong beat Brintons 4-1 to claim the Challenge Cup.
In the second photo, Ivan (left) is pictured at the clubs 50th Anniversary Gala in 2017.
Rest In Peace, Ivan.
