Aussie Cardio Tennis Heart Pumper!

Cardio Tennis has made quite a splash in Australia over the last couple of months, particularly during the 2012 Australian Open - the perfect way to get into shape and burn some of your excess Christmas and Easter calories! For more information, visit www.cardiotennis.com.au to see where your local Cardio Tennis is running. Melbourne's western suburbs people can join ME at the Green Gully Tennis Club on a Monday night from 7pm... promise to keep a straight face - yep, it's that much fun! 

Dexy Midnight Runners Return After 27 Years!

It's taken 27 years, but Dexy Midnight Runners are finally making their musical comeback. One Day I'm Going To Soar is the name of the new album which will be released this June. We all remember Come On Eileen right?

Special Interview: Audio Blackmail

TheAussieWord catches up with local Aussie dynamos Audio Blackmail! Check it out!

What can you tell us Aussies about you. How and where did it all begin?

Hi Brian, thanks for having us! Craig & I knew each other through mutual friends & decided to start a band a few years ago. Audio Blackmail started as a 5-member cover band but we split to become a duo & write our own music about 18 months ago.

What first got you interested in music?

I lived in Papua New Guinea as a child, where music is quite a big part of life and, being a pretty primitive place (no malls, game centres etc), I spent a lot of time hanging out with the locals, singing & dancing. Craig’s parents are from Guyana in South America, so he also grew up with different types of music.

Are there any tours or gigs planned for the future?

We’re coming to Melbourne this month! We’re playing at The Espy on February 21st, which we’re really excited about! It’s our first interstate show. We love The Espy, playing a gig there is high on the bucket list ;) We’re then playing SFX in Sydney on 24 March.

What are some of the biggest goals you hope to accomplish as an artist?

We just really hope that people enjoy what they hear. Impressing a wide range of people with our music is our biggest goal I guess because the sky is the limit from there. We’d love to play at festivals, support known artists, play overseas – I guess every band has those goals and dreams of course!

Dizzy - Audio Blackmail

What can fans expect from you in the coming months?

New music & some live shows! Our newest song ‘Periphery’ was mastered this week and is now available for free download via: www.triplejunearthed.com/audioblackmail

Tell us a bit about the song?

The song is written about being confronted with death, and was loosely written around an incident involving my mother in a sinking car 2 years ago. The car was swept off the road by storm water and the windows & doors locked, leaving Mum trapped inside as the car sunk. She was miraculously saved at the very last minute by a 6”7 Englishman, who happened to be running late for work. Mum had pretty much said her goodbyes to Dad, who she frantically called, when water was up to her neck & when she couldn’t get through to 000. The incident shocked our whole family, especially Dad after receiving that call. She’s great now though & graduated as a nurse not long after the incident.

Success, what is the secret to success and what has been your biggest career highlight so far?

Being nice to everyone you work with and taking no-one for granted. I think the way you treat people is important in any industry or field; I’d like to think that people who are friendly get further than those who are awful! Of course dedication, determination etc are important factors but you don’t get anywhere being a @&^%(*! Being appreciative of people who support you is a big thing for me; I’ve gone off ‘too cool for school’ bands, purely because of the way they’ve treated their audience/supporters. As for a highlight… we played at a TEDx event at Macquarie University late last year; we managed to get most of the crowd up dancing (bellydancing even!), they’d all been seated before that.

Which current stars in the industry do you highly rate?

I’m really into Chairlift and Foster the People at the moment – their latest albums are amazing. We both love Lady Hawke, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, the Ting Tings, New Order… so many more!

Name a few of your favourite Aussie artists.

Alpine, Miami Horror, Cassette Kids, Sneaky Sound System, Kylie Minogue, Strange Talk, Elizabeth Rose, Silverchair…and of course Jimmy Barnes & John Farnham ;-)

The shape of the music industry has changed significantly over the years, including the use of social media, how do you feel about the industry as a whole and what it means to you in getting your records out into the public eye?

It certainly is a lot easier to get music heard these days; there used to be a time when you would discover a hidden gem of a completely unknown artist / band at the second-hand CD shop and actually feel proud for finding it! Now you can pretty much get all the music you could ever want very easily through itunes, myspace, facebook, etc…. which is great, but it's more of a passive experience for the listener. That's why we make it a real focus of ours to entertain the audience when we play live. If people have made the effort to come and see us live then the least we can do is make it worth their while. Triple J is a fantastic avenue for artists to be given the chance to get noticed; I’ve found many new bands through Unearthed i.e Alpine and Elizabeth Rose, who weren’t really known at all when I came across them but are now doing amazingly well.

Thanks for the interview! What can you leave fans with here on TheAussieWord blog today?

We really appreciate every individual who supports us in any way so thank you for listening to us, telling people about us, following us online and for coming to shows – it all means a lot to us and makes us want to continue on this journey! Thanks :-)

Website: www.audioblackmail.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/audio.blackmail.music

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/audioblackmail

TheAussieWord BLOG thanks Audio Blackmail for becoming major sponsors of the site. Please remember to support all of our sponsors and our great local home grown Australian talent. 

Tennis Goes Viral In South & Latin America

An interesting insight into tennis and where it is headed for the passionate people of Latin and South America.

FLASHBACK: Young Einstein / Mental As Anything - Rock And Roll Music (1988)

TheAussieWord takes you back to 1988, the year of Young Einstein and Mental As Anything's hit Rock and Roll Music. Awesome memories and a bloody good laugh! 

DAYS FLASHBACK: Steve & Kayla (1990)

I know there are plenty of Days of Our Lives fans out there who have been old friends of mine from my Daytime Confidential days, new fans from Twitter and big supporters and readers of the blog - for that I treat you to this very special DOOL flashback from 1990. This, a montage featuring Stephen Nichols (Patch) and Mary Beth Evans (Kayla), the shows biggest exports from the 80's and 90's to this classic rendition of Don't Know Much by Aaron Neville and Linda Ronstadt.  

K25: On A Night Like This (Abbey Road Sessions)

A K25 surprise this morning from Kylie Minogue - a sexy rendition of On A Night Like This from what I am calling The Abbey Road Sessions... 

A Belinda Carlisle / Roxette Megamix

Belinda Carlisle and Roxette have taken over Melbourne in the last week! Both superstars contacting me at TheAussieWord on Twitter excited about their time in Melbourne. Carlisle arriving in town primed for her performance tonight and tomorrow night for her legion of Melbourne fans! Belinda letting TheAussieWord know she was well and truly in town and enjoying her walk by Melbourne's pretty Yarra. As for Per Gessle, the man half of Roxette, acknowledged my post review on Roxette's Melbourne shows - he was extremely grateful - so much so he tweeted and re-tweeted the article and spiraled www.theaussieword.blogspot.com into one massive Joyride!

This audio just in from Belinda's Melbourne show tonight!

Audio taken from tonights Belinda Carlisle show in Melbourne
Live Your Life Be Free!
 

 

Heaven Is A Place On Earth!

 

Our Lips Are Sealed!

TheAussieWord loves both artists - I wish them all the success in their recent visit to my home turf. Melbourne salutes you!

Lady Gaga Sellout!

Lady Gaga has added extra shows to her Australian leg of the 'Monster Ball' - no need for her to do this on my account though, I've got my tickets to the biggest show in Melbourne on June 30! Bring it!

Rockin' Rod Stewart!

Oh Rod, 67 and still got it! Check out these images and setlist from Rod Stewart's Melbourne show on Feb 17.

Love Train (from Soulbook, 2009)
Tonight’s The Night (from A Night On The Town, 1976)
Having A Party (from Unplugged and Seated, 1993)
The First Cut Is The Deepest (from A Night On The Town, 1976)
Baby Jane (from Body Wishes, 1983)
Forever Young (from Out Of Order, 1988)
Downtown Train (from Storyteller, 1989)

Unplugged set:
Have I Told You Lately (from Vagabond Heart, 1991)
You Wear It Well (from Never A Dull Moment, 1972)
I Don’t Want To Talk About It (from Atlantic Crossing, 1975)
Ooh La La (from The Faces Ooh La La, 1973)
Tom Trauberts Blues (from Storyteller, 1989)

Sweet Little Rock and Roller (from Smiler, 1974)
Proud Mary
Rhythm Of My Heart (from Vagabond Heart, 1991)
Twisting The Night Away (from Never A Dull Moment, 1972)
You’re In My Heart (from Footloose and Fancy Free, 1977)
Hot Legs (from Footloose and Fancy Free, 1977)
Maggie May (from Every Picture Tells A Story, 1971)
Sailing (from Atlantic Crossing, 1975)

Do You Think I’m Sexy (from Blondes Have More Fun, 1978)

Keep Your Eye On The Red And The Blue

On the eve of the new 2012 season, the Demons prepare for a fresh new tilt at AFL's Holy Grail. Here is a little heart pumper to get Melbourne Football Club fans excited, it's David Bridie singing a spine tingling rendition of the club theme song Grand Old Flag.

DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Open Closet!

A picture is worth a thousand words... In this instance, life for Will Horton (Chandler Massey), will change forever! Seems like that closet has stopped rocking and the doors and floodgates are officially open! Kudos to Days of Our Lives for taking the bull by the horns and writing this story - well done!

Melbourne FC: U Can't Touch This

Game day is getting ever so closer for the Demons who take on the Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns at Metricon Stadium on Saturday February 25. These pictures snapped at the club's open intra-club practice match and family day at Casey Fields. Mitch Clark, Aaron Davey and James Sellar all have a little MC Hammer going on - U Can't Touch This. Ohhhhhh yeeeeah!

Aaron Davey too quick from Cale Morton

James Sellar leaps away from Nathan Jones

Mitch Clark goes for goal as Lynden Dunn waits in the wings

ROXETTE OWNS MELBOURNE!

There is plenty truth in the saying 'they came, they saw and they conquered '. Roxette in fact did that to the largest of proportions at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne! Roxette, supported earlier on by the greatest unsung heroes of Australian Pop/Rock 1927. It was a night to remember, the classic hits from yesteryear, a trip down memory lane, it was a complete 1986 tape rewind with a display of true pure Roxette brilliance as they sang through decades of a #1 hits, forgotten classics and new songs from their latest album Charm School. Per Gessle had tweeted earlier that Roxette had 'owned Sydney', little did they know that a few hours later, they would also own the hearts of a passionate and nostalgic Melbourne crowd.

I heard them all, Dangerous, Dressed For Success, Listen To Your Heart, It Must Have Been Love, Fading Like A Flower, Wish I Could Fly, Sleeping In My Car, The Big Love, She's Got Nothing On (But The Radio), The Look, Spending My Time, How Do You Do, Joyride... the hits just kept coming, it was a show to remember. This was one trip down memory lane that I will never forget. Tickets still available for their final Melbourne show on Wednesday at Rod Laver Arena - do yourself a favour and see this one. For an added bonus, you get to see 1927 belt out the classics If I Could, Compulsory Hero, That's When I Think Of You, You'll Never Know... this spectacle from Roxette and 1927 is by far the highlight of performances in 2012.

Roxette - The Big Love (Live In Melbourne)

Roxette - Fading Like A Flower (Live In Melbourne)

1927 - If I Could (Live In Melbourne)

Farewell Whitney

Family and friends of the late Whitney Houston have said farewell in an emotion charged funeral service in Whitney's home state of New Jersey. These images streamed live across the internet for fans around the world.

Whitney Houston Hits Top Of The Charts

Unfortunately for Whitney Houston she had to die to revive her record selling career, plus get her biggest hit back into the top of the charts - I Will Always Love You back to where it was in the 90's... the single currently sitting in the US Top 10 at #7.

K25: Better The Devil You Know!

The record that kicked off a whole new direction for our girl Kylie. Better The Devil You Know - a massive hit for Kylie Minogue fans worldwide still gets its fair share of spinning on all disco dance floors! Sporting its own ounce of pop disco culture, this track has been well and truly embraced as once of her most popular. Kylie, performing this on just about all of her tours to date - from Fever, Light Years and Intimate and Live - this song, will go down as one of Minogue's best... I remember the exclusive video premiere on the Ray Martin hosted A Current Affair - the rest, is history...  #K25blastfromthepast

READY! SET! ROXETTE!

Ok Melbourne! It's time to ROXETTE! TheAussieWord is jumping on The Joyride to Rod Laver Arena for a trip down memory lane!

The Walking Dead Season 2 Explosion!

Why The Walking Dead is one of the best shows on television right now... Watch the final scene to the latest episode 'Nebraska'... #WalkingDead will hit the FX channel on Australia's Foxtel from February 26 - do yourself a favour and check it out. 

Sexy And They Know It?

Does Tom Daley and his GB team have too much time on their hands? You be the judge! A perfect LMFAO lip sync!

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Madman and the Lover

TheAussieWord catches up with Aussie group Madman and the Lover band member Michael White in this one on one special interview for the blog. 

A very special treat for TheAussieWord readers, with your chance to score the bands exclusive EP plus 4 free tickets to the EP Launch this coming Sunday February 19th at the Northcote Social Club! Read on for details...

What can you tell us Aussies about you. How and where did it all begin?

It all started back in Perth in 2000, where a rollerblader made friends with a skateboarder across the road. The rollerblader happened to play drums and the skateboarder had a guitar, so the two got together and started creating music with plenty of driving rhythm. After 10 years of working on separate projects due to living arrangements, the two find themselves together once more, now in Melbourne as a group of four, writing the music they imagined all those years ago.

What first got you interested in music?

My dad was a musician, playing in cover bands and writing his own musicals for the university he worked at. As a kid, I was exposed to music daily, and have even been credited with naming one of the old man’s songs, which I came up with at the ripe old age of three whilst dancing around his piano.

Who inspires or influences your quest to make great music?

Two things inspire me to make great music, and they are in essence the two halves of music, but I believe they need to be done well. I love catchy/hooky rhythms, particularly through the syncopation of multiple instruments, such as the bass drum and bass guitar locking in together. The second is a soulful melody, so anything by Lady Gaga clearly doesn’t fit this bill. Something where you can hear and feel the emotion in the voice (and sometimes instrumental melodies), which is so much less common this century.

Are there any tours or gigs planned for the future?

We have our EP Launch on this Sunday February 19^th at the Northcote Social Club in Melbourne. We are on at 4pm. Tix are $12, or $17 with ticket and EP.

What are some of the biggest goals you hope to accomplish as an artist?

Playing large-scale festival shows is definitely on the radar, as is releasing our music internationally.

What can fans expect from you in the coming months?

After this EP Launch, we are going back into a heavy writing phase again. Unlike the majority of bands, songs are mostly written out of the rehearsal room, due to the presence of all the additional strings/piano/samples forming the orchestral wall that is the backbone of our sound. Considering that these are played back live via a computer, they need to be spot on! So, we will be really harnessing our sound during this time.

Success, what is the secret to success and what has been your biggest career highlight so far?

Success is deemed by how you measure it. It may be something big, like a distribution deal, or it may be small, like learning a drum fill or getting the contact details for someone important to you. It’s about how you gauge the level of success of your achievements. Career highlights would be lining the stage with big name Aussie acts from a variety of genres, including Sneaky Sound System, The Potbelleez, Vanessa Amorosi, The Butterfly Effect, Karnivool and Thousand Needles in Red.

Which current stars in the industry do you highly rate?

Keeping things Aussie focus, I’ve always been a big fan about how John Butler has gone about his music. Keeping things independent but delivering important messages through his lyrics. He also fits the hooky/catchy rhythm criteria I mentioned prior. It probably also swayed me a little with him being from Western Australia.

How would people best describe you and your music?

It’s difficult to categorise the sound of Madman and the Lover into one specific genre, given the eclectic influences that range from heavy rock to stripped backed acoustic flavours. The music is sculpted from a thick bottom-end of groove heavy drum beats locked tight with dirty bass tones, combined with the lush warmth of an acoustic guitar and an emotive orchestral wall serving as a backdrop. Combine these elements with soaring vocals and a high energy stage show, and you have the formula for a band that is both visually and aurally captivating.

Tell us a bit about your first EP or album?

This EP launch on February 19^th is for our debut EP, so it’s the first real taste of our sound for the listeners. There is also another EP’s worth of songs ready to be tracked, so the time between releases will be quite short.

Our debut EP is called “Eight” and it has been put together over the space of the last 12 months, with the bulk of the work taking place from around June 2011. It draws influences from a range of music styles. Rhythmically it hits hard, with clear likeness to that of American heavy rock bands Sevendust and Deftones. The music is also melodically potent, but driven without vocal screams or electric guitars. The power comes from the lush harmonies and the layers of strings, piano and other sounds. The five tracks (plus one secret track) are all very different from each other, and capture the variety of styles of which the band is influenced by. 

Do you have any exciting projects in the works?

The cd will be marketed overseas as I (the rollerblader) head to London to get involved in music there. The beauty of our writing style combined with the flexibility of the Internet ensures that the music will continue to flow steadily.

The industry is huge, where do you see yourself a few years from now?

It’s hard to predict what will be happening in the industry a few months down the track, let alone years. But knowing the unique flavor of our sound, and the charismatic live show, I have no doubt that Madman and the Lover will be a prominent feature in the Australian music scene (yeah, a lot of confidence there, but an industry trait is backing yourself when you love what you do!)

Name a few of your favourite Aussie artists.

Something for Kate, Boy & Bear, Paul Dempsey (solo), Karnivool, The Butterfly Effect, Cog.

The shape of the music industry has changed significantly over the years, including the use of social media, how do you feel about the industry as a whole and what it means to you in getting your records out into the public eye?

It is much easier to get your music heard, particularly with things like FaceBook and ReverbNation, where they have tailored pages for musicians to help promote their work. Unfortunately in Australia, it’s all pretty clicky at the top level, so comradery amongst the local scene is important, but not always the case. Being true to your music and being genuine to the other people you work with are important things. If people like your stuff, they will share it, and that’s vital to getting people to come to your shows. Let’s hope this whole SOPA crap doesn’t eventuate…

Thanks for the interview! What can you leave fans with here on TheAussieWord blog today?

We are giving away 4 free tickets to our EP Launch this Sunday February 19^th at the Northcote Social Club. Simply “like” our FaceBook page and email us your details, and we’ll put your name on the door. Plus we’ll throw in a free EP for good measure!

Website: www.reverbnation.com/madmanandthelover

Facebook: www.facebook.com/madmanandthelover

Twitter: @matlmusic 

Lana Del Rey #1 Aussie Album

Lana Del Rey has dislodged Foster The People from the #1 spot on the Aussie ARIA album charts with her Born To Die album taking out the top position - here's the album preview. Yay? or Nay?

Tribute: Victorian 'Black Saturday' Bushfires

3 years on, we pause to remember the victims, their familes and all those who lost loved ones in one of the biggest Australian tragedies - the 'Black Saturday' Victorian Bushfires which struck my home state on February 7 in 2009. In such an outpouring of grief, Australians together with the rest of the world dug deep to donate a mammoth $40 million dollars to help with the recovery effort. 

SPECIAL TRIBUTE WHITNEY HOUSTON 1963 - 2012

The music world is in shock with the news of the death of music legend and pop soul diva Whitney Houston. 

Houston was behind the hits - All At Once, Saving All My Love For You, How Will I Know, Greatest Love Of All, I Wanna Dance With Somebody, Didn't We Almost Have It All, So Emotional, Where Do Broken Hearts Go, One Moment In Time, I'm Your Baby Tonight, I Have Nothing, Run To You, I'm Every Woman, Step By Step and the world smash I Will Always Love You... a huge catalogue of hits, generational music that will be remembered for many more to come.

All at once... Whitney was taken away, her body found in her room at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Although the cause of death is still being investigated, Whitney suffered a tumultuous battle with drugs and alcohol, this most likely the cause of her sudden death. Reports stating Whitney's body was found by bodyguard Ray (not that of ex-boyfriend Ray J) in the bath with no signs of criminal intent. Daughter Bobbi Kristina and ex-husband Bobby Brown are said to be inconsolable. 

Houston was a guest at the hotel preparing for the pre-Grammy party which she was expected to attend on Saturday evening. Stars of the industry were in shock with the news, turning to Twitter to celebrate Whitney's life and glittering career.

Mariah Carey tweeted: "Heartbroken and in tears over the shocking death of my friend, the incomparable Ms. Whitney Houston. My heartfelt condolences to Whitney's family and to all her millions of fans throughout the world. She will never be forgotten as one of the greatest voices to ever grace the earth."

'Come On' Let's Hear It For Will Young

TheAussieWord is enjoying this new track from Will Young, it's called Come On - taken from the 2011 Echoes album. Check it out!

Hewitt Uncovered

ATP World Tour Uncovered catchup with Aussie tennis champion Lleyton Hewitt for this one on one interview. Watch as Hewitt explains and reflects on his 'never say die' attitude. Aussie! Aussie! Aussie!

The Descendants (Official Trailer)

Is this George Clooney in his career best performance? The Descendants - out now!

K25: Kylie Minogue's 24 Show Record Breaker!

A #K25blastfromthepast special - this one a flashback from Kylie Minogue's Intimate and Live show that stretched far and wide across our great country for a record 24 shows! Here is a rocking version of What Do I Have To Do - is there anything better!

James Morrison Returns To Aussie Top 40

I Won't Let You Go is the new single inside the Australian Top 40 charts this week from James Morrison - a ripping song that tugs right at the heartstrings. The single, taken from the new album The Awakening. Ahhhh beautiful!

Madonna's Australian World Tour 2013!

Only a few posts ago I was wondering what needed to be done to get Madonna out to the land Down Under. My message was recieved and Madonna has acknowledged - she's coming to Australia! Live Nation confirmed the news today, Madonna will make her long awaited return to Oz - 20 years since her last visit in 1993. Madonna will start her world tour in Tel Aviv on May 29 and end it in Australia in early 2013, a mammoth 90 shows. It will be a scramble for tickets, no doubt the likely venue will be either Melbourne's Etihad Stadium or the 100,000 capacity of the MCG. What a show stopper this will be. God?

Foster The People Hit #1

Foster the People have reached Number #1 in Australia, dislodging Adele from the top spot with their album Torches. You can listen to the full album here - isn't this brilliant mood lifting music!

Icehouse & John Oates In Electric Blue Heaven!

Icehouse frontman Iva Davies teams up with the man who co-wrote the number one smash Electric Blue - John Oates to perform before a massive Melbourne crowd at The Plenary last week.

Madonna's Super Bowl Extravaganza!

Ok Madonna, enough with the teasing. 

What does Australia have to do to get a show stopper like this one?

Days Of Our Lives Shock February Promo!

February DAYS storylines are about to make an almighty twist and a smashing turn when the contents of Stefano and Alice's safe deposit box is revealed. Hope (Kristian Alfonso) is married to John Black (Drake Hogestyn)... Insert a very shocked look on the face of Marlena (Deidre Hall) and Bo (Peter Reckell). Looks like our favourite soap veterans are about to become front and centre news on the all new Days of Our Lives!

Bryan Adams' Canadian Homecoming

Bryan Adams will tour on his native Canadian soil this year after announcing approximately three months of touring commencing in April at St. John's Newfoundland and ending on June 22 at Winnipeg Manitoba. 

It's been 20 years since Adams toured his homeland, this time he's as excited as ever saying via Twitter "Excited about the Canadian tour! 20 years since the last cross country tour. (have done lots of Cdn tours, but not like this, coast to coast)."  TheAussieWord wishes him well for the tour - am still recovering from the Melbourne gig only a few months ago. 

Madonna Giving All Her Luvin'

Madonna has returned to her pop roots with the official release of new single Give Me All Your Luvin' featuring M.I.A and Nicki Minaj. Pom poms, cheer leaders and football jocks predominant in the video, not to mention shades of Oh Mickey what a pity you don't understand - I can hear the Toni Basil remix now.

Free Hugs: Darren Hayes Hug Fest!

Darren Hayes has posted a somewhat 'hug fest' themed video on YouTube. Darren posting this message for fans -

Sometimes the things that make us most happy cost nothing at all.

A call to arms on Twitter to ask strangers for a hug resulted in an outpouring of love one afternoon at London's Somerset House. Captured on mine and a friend's iPhone and set to 'Bloodstained Heart'.

Don't you just want to give the big buggerlug an almighty hug? Come 'ere boy! #Love

George Michael Hints Return!

He may have been down and well and truly out fighting serious pneumonia, but rest assured George Michael will bounce back and return to the live stage. George is currently on holidays, getting over the horrendous illness that had brought him to cancel his live shows....this week, he tweeted... 

"Pneumonia may have been a b**tard thing to go thru (through), but normally when I suffer you guys benefit somehow."

It's just a matter of time. 

Demons President Steps Down

New Melbourne President Don McLardy

Jim Stynes, the colossal tower of strength who brought the Melbourne Football Club back from the brink of ruin has stood down from his role as President at the club. The last couple of years have been busy at the Dees helm, Stynes opting out to concentrate on his treatment for melanoma. Jim was appointed President in June of 2008. Don McLardy will take over the role as President, the announcement came at the club's Annual General Meeting. Jim Stynes' achievement was acknowledged by a standing ovation from members.

On a personal level, I can say Jim has pretty much revived my great football club, put us back on the map from within the football fraternity and has also established some very impressive networks from within the clubs business circles. Without this, the club would be cellar dwellers, now, the Dees are on the verge of becoming an AFL powerhouse once more. We will see what the new Demons are made of come February 25.

Official statement from the Melbourne Football Club

Jim Stynes has stepped down as President to focus on his health and family as he continues his cancer fight.

The announcement came at Melbourne's AGM, held in the Members' Dining Room at the MCG on Wednesday night. Although Stynes was not in attendance, due to his ongoing treatment, the announcement was made by Don McLardy, who has now become Melbourne President after serving as Stynes' vice-president. Guy Jalland will continue as joint Vice-president, along with fellow director Peter Spargo, who replaces McLardy in that position. Stynes released a statement about relinquishing his position, which was read by Don McLardy at the AGM.

Standing ovation from members acknowledging Jim Stynes' achievement

Statement from Jim Stynes:As Melbourne enters what promises to be an exciting new season, and hopefully exciting new era, I see this an opportune time to step down as Melbourne president. It will give the football club the best chance to be 100 per cent prepared for round one and will give me the time to fully focus on my health and family.  I am extremely proud of what the board has managed to achieve since I took on the presidency in June 2008, particularly in bringing a greater sense of unity and purpose to the club. I have full confidence that Don McLardy and the team will continue that work. Don has my full support to lead the club and the Demons can rely on me to help out in an advisory capacity at any time.

For full coverage, including Don McLardy's speech from the AGM and Jim Stynes' full announcement, visit melbournefc.com.au