Nic Pavlou – Power House AFC Legend Status

The VAFA wishes to congratulate Nic Pavlou being awarded Legend Status of the Power House Football Club. Pav becomes just the SEVENTH Legend, behind Wal Davie, Les Gordon, Peter Hutchinson, Ian Dakin, Peter Dakin and Stephen Mason, giants of the football club.

The Legends category is reserved for those who are deemed to have had during their tenure at the Power House Amateur Football Club, a positive impact on the Club and on the game of Australian Rules football.

Legend status is the highest honour that can be bestowed upon an inductee of the Power House Amateur Football Club Life Members and remains exclusively for recognition of the most significant playing, coaching and administrative records.

A Legend is immediately recognised as one who has reached the very pinnacle of the game at our club.

Powerhouse FC had the following to say:

Pav has been at our club for 42 years, playing 296 games, kicking 527 goals, serving on the committee for 30 years and is our longest serving President, currently at 13 years. A Wesley boy who grew up playing soccer and only finding Australian Rules as an 18-year-old, he came down for “just one game” in 1980 to help out mate Dave Clarahan and after more than 40 years, calls the Ross Gregory and its people his home.

His football career of 296 games and 527 goals should not be ignored. Crowned the Wal Davie Reserves Best and Fairest in 1984, Pav’s on field success stemmed to being an 11-time highest goal kicking award winner and a club record 15 goals in a game.

And if you ask him nicely, he will point out Pav’s Pocket on the Ross Gregory.

Rumour has it he never got his jumper dirty, because he never left the goal square. You can ask one of his long-time mates Bruce Wilson if he ever hand-balled- the answer is no, he says it’s a wasted possession! He was the 2006 Chairman of Selectors alongside one of his best friends and Life Member Rob Sarosi, who led the side to the 2006 Senior Premiership. His daughter Anna took the medal that day and he still hasn’t seen it – 16 years on!

After his long career finished in 2007 (much to his wife Jenni’s delight, thinking she would have him back to help with the kids!), Pav immediately found himself in the thick of the action off field. Sorry Jen! He became President in 2010 and has shown an incredible passion for creating a home at Power House. From sweeping rooms – (even now!), stocking toilet paper, chips in the bar, Pav has given his entire life to being President.

One of Pav’s proudest achievements was the establishment of our Inaugural Women’s Team and Program in 2018. He, alongside Barry Cox and Phil Mackney created a women’s program that is still thriving today and a growing part of the club’s rich history. Since then, Pav has been Women’s team manager, filled every job every week, travelled near and far to games and been the first to arrive and last to leave.

His relationships he has managed for his tenure are impressive and he is respected across the entire VAFA system and Albert Park widely. His first task as President was to drive our club out of Debt and he took that on and succeeded with flying colours. He has managed our Grand Prix, Parks Victoria relationships and Albert Park lease with grace and respect, known as Rebecca Porter from Park Victoria’s “Favourite” for his ease and ability to work in a crisis.

He has written our success plans, our redevelopment plan and was a driver for our new electronic scoreboard and our new benches. He writes the weekly club emails and liaises with sponsors, players, committee and coaches to ensure the club runs smoothly. He and wife Jen are also major club sponsors through her business Brainwave HR. Pav has been a major connector of the club’s past, Lord Somer’s Camp and the present, crossing many generations in his time at the club.

He also fills any job needed, from pouring a beer, time keeping, goal umpiring (even in the hail!) and even spent a few years umpiring the Reserves (much to Paddy Arnold’s dislike!).

Pav’s family have been a huge part of Power House too. His wife Jenni has been part of the journey herself, even running the canteen for a while. Behind every great football person is an even greater partner and Jenni has given her husband of 27 years to the club every week day and weekend for their whole marriage! Now that’s impressive! His cousin and Life Member James Demetrie who played 66 games, started the first ever Football club website (outside of the AFL) with Pav for Power House in 1995. His sister Penny, also here tonight, watched his whole career with their mother Nikki and Father Europe and now, Penny is our Canteen lady. Pav’s daughter Anna caught the Power House bug and has grown up at the Ross Gregory, following her Dad’s passion and serving on the committee. And his son James (Pav Junior) has been our women’s boundary umpire and our music talent tonight, always lending a hand to the House.

Pav lives the club motto, “Service without recognition”, but it would be remiss of us to ignore his many awards across his record-breaking tenure.

• He became a Power House Life member in 1993
• Won the Power House President’s Award in 1994
• Don McDonald Best Clubman in 2000
• VAFA Certificate of Merit winner in 2014
• AFL Victoria State Volunteer of the Year 2018.

Most importantly Pav has been a pillar of strength and guidance to 1,359 people who have passed through the club, out of a total 2,503. He has helped many find jobs, homes, given life advice and general wise counsel. He and Jenni’s door is always open, however, you’ll more likely find him at the club house than at home! Pav is the ultimate helper, puts everyone and the club before himself because he loves it AND thoroughly deserves to be recognised with the Legends of our Club.