We would like to thank Leith Dawes who did us the honour of tossing the Life Member Coin for the A
Grade match against Nairne Bremer on Saturday 20 June 2026. Leith was escorted through a players
guard of honour formed at the end of the B Grade match to the centre circle by his mother Jill, also a
Life Member and was joined by his wife Jacqui, daughter Charlotte and sons Tristan and Seb.
His son Callum lives in Exmouth and could not be there.
Leith was made a Life Member in 2001 and when brother Bruce joined this special group in 2010, the
Dawes family became unique with four Life Members – the late Harvey, Jill, Leith and Bruce. The
incredible family contribution throughout Mt Lofty’s entire 47-year history is further recognised
through the naming of the A Grade Men’s Best and Fairest – the Coventry Dawes Medal.
Leith played his first match at just 6 years of age, with Heathfield Aldgate United because his father
Harvey’s club, Stirling, could not accommodate him at such a young age. 42 years later at 48 he
played his last match when he and his son Callum were in the Devil’s B Grade midfield with brother
Bruce and his son Ostyn for the last 10 minutes. His playing career was outstanding with many
highlights, including as a member of multiple Premierships – 1990 and 2006 A Grade, 1988 and 2010
B Grade and 2012 C Grade as Captain Coach.
Playing a total of 289 senior matches, the vast majority at A Grade level, Leith held the club record of
256 A Grade matches which was only broken in 2017 by Brad Burch. Always putting the club and
team first, he also won the A Grade Best and Fairest on 2 occasions in 1993 (shared with Ian Willmott)
and 1997. This long-term football career has also been recognised with the awarding of Life
Membership of the Hills Football League.
His contribution off the field over the decades, however, is almost unbelievable, beginning as a young
boy as boundary umpire for the C Grade and manning the gate and scoreboard. From an influential
committee member to coaching, Leith has contributed so much to the success of the club. While
coaching at all levels, including A Grade Captain Coach in 1997 and 1998, he won South Australia’s
Junior Coach of the year in 2021 after coaching all junior grades including junior girls.
Perhaps Leith’s biggest contribution was leading the Auskick Program for over 20 years where he has
attracted hundreds of boys and girls to the Devils, many becoming long time club people playing,
volunteering and supporting the club. A passion to attract young players where they had so much fun,
was backed up as a person who’s easy going manner and football knowledge saw him provide
development in football and life to players at all levels from 6 to 46 years. The critical importance of
this role is often overlooked in clubs, but it is fundamental to club survival and success, regardless of
how successful club recruiters of A Grade players might be.
There are few roles Leith has not carried out for the Devils, across Senior and Junior Committees
where he has co-ordinated and acted as MC for so many important activities over 30 years, including
annual Presentations, the Chairman’s Lunch, Club Reunions, Ladies Days and many more.
While his contribution to football and to the club is exceptional, Leith also umpired HFL matches,
including a Junior Grand Final, from Under 14 to A Grade for 3 years before pausing for cricket
involvements. With a lifelong love of Australian Football, he has been equally passionate for Cricket
and in later life has committed to the game at national and international level. He is the Cricket
Australian Masters A Team Captain and recently returned from a tournament in America where the
team defeated Cricket Australian Masters over 50’s team in a 45 over format as well as both American
teams.
Outside the support and development of Mt Lofty Footballers and Mt Lofty Cricketers, Leiths hard
work extends throughout the sporting communities sharing the Heathfield Sporting Complex. A very
balanced approach when representing these clubs has served clubs well in negotiations and in
maintaining and developing facilities. Work in this area over the years and as a volunteer for the Mt
Lofty District Community and Sports Club has also been recognised with Life Membership to Leith.
On behalf of everybody at Mt Lofty, we thank Leith sincerely for the exceptional role he has played
throughout the entire 47-year history of the club.
Leith’s Last Match in 2018 with Brother Bruce, nephew Ostyn and son Callum
Leiths final premiership in 2016
Many Mt Lofty Devils players started Auskick and went on to be coached by him as they progressed through to Modified Rules to Junior Grades to Senior Football
Leith – the Master of Ceremonies at so many Mt Lofty events over many years.