Photo above: Peter De Rauch
North Melbourne congratulates former Director, Peter De Rauch, and club doctor, Peter Baquie, for being recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for their respective services to the football industry and across the wider community.
Both received the Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia in the General Division.
De Rauch’s history with the Kangaroos stretches back decades and he was a major player in the club’s fight to remain in Melbourne, when the AFL attempted a bold relocation to the Gold Coast.
“It’s been well documented that without Peter’s courage, passion for the club and stoic nature, North Melbourne may well have ceased to exist back in 2008,” Kangaroos CEO Ben Amarfio said.
“Peter was a major shareholder at the time and was one of the first dominos to fall in terms of handing back shares voluntarily to deliver the club back to the members. That selfless act inspired other shareholders to follow suit and the club was essentially given a lifeline to begin its rebuild to where we are today – profitable, strong and sustainable.”
Among his roles at North, De Rauch was part of the club’s two premierships in 1996 and 1999, and was a deputy chairman, committee member, chairman of the social club, shareholder and director for more than 15 years, and Patron since 2008.
“Peter is a significant figure in our football club’s history and has done an incredible amount to ensure our success and sustainability, often putting his hand in his own pocket to help out whenever it was needed. Like many other prominent figures in our history, we wouldn’t be where we are today without Peter, that’s for sure,” Amarfio added.
De Rauch’s work in the community includes being a council member with the St Vincent’s Health Foundation since 2014, volunteering with The Wellington Collingwood from 2008 to 2013, providing philanthropic support to the Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery and being a current member of the Benefactor's Circle for the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI).
Baquie was honoured for a long and distinguished 26-year career in sports medicine.
A doctor at AFL clubs Carlton, Hawthorn, Collingwood and most recently North Melbourne, Baquie also crossed codes and worked with the Melbourne Storm. He was the chief medical officer for the Australian Olympic Teams in Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012.
“Pete’s CV has been nothing short of incredible and he is a much loved person at the Kangaroos after a terrific six years with us,” Amarfio said.
“This is due recognition of a wonderful human being and we are so delighted and proud.
“It’s hard to find someone with Pete’s extensive knowledge and experience in sports medicine, and he was always someone that was prepared to go that extra mile to help others. He provided compassionate care for our players and staff and was an integral part of our organisation.
“From everyone at the Kangaroos, congratulations to Peter and Peter for their contributions to sport and the wider community. They have done themselves, and us, proud.”
Dr Peter John BAQUIE, OAM
For service to sports medicine.
Sports Medicine
- Practitioner, Olympic Park Sports Medicine Centre, since 1994.
Australian Olympic Team
- Chief Medical Officer, Australian Olympic Teams, Beijing, 2008, and London, 2012.
- Team Doctor, Australian Men's Olympic Hockey Team, 1997 - 2004.
Australian Football League
- Team Doctor, Collingwood Football Club, 2013-2014.
- Team Doctor, Hawthorn Football Club, 2005 - 2012
- Reserve Team Doctor, Carlton Football Club, 1997-1998.
- Team Doctor, North Melbourne Football Club, 2013-2020.
National Rugby League
- Team Doctor, Melbourne Storm Rugby League Club, 2003.
Other
- Former General Practitioner, Foster South Gippsland, Victoria, 10 years.
Mr Peter Charles DE RAUCH, OAM
For service to community health, and to Australian rules football.
St Vincent's Health Foundation
- Council Member, since 2014.
- Donor, current.
North Melbourne Football Club
- Patron, since 2008.
- Former Shareholder/Director, 15 years.
- Former Chairman, Social Club.
- Former Committee Member.
- Former Deputy Chairman.
Other
- Volunteer, The Wellington Collingwood, 2008-2013.
- Philanthropic Support, Aikenhead Centre for Medical Discovery.
- Chairman, And1 Australia, current.
- Member, Benefactor's Circle, Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI), current.
