On the 85th anniversary of its original radio broadcast in 1937, the only known audio recording of one of the most revered Australian Rules footballers has been rediscovered, preserved and released by the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia.

Newspapers called him ‘the Bradman of football’. The most decorated of all footballers… Haydn Bunton Snr dominated two league competitions in the 1930s.

Weekends with Simon Beaumont played the long-lost audio, which delighted his family, who hadn’t heard his voice since he passed away 67 years ago.

LISTEN to the audio 👇

NFSA’s Simon Smith said the AFL was doing a renovation of their boardroom when they stumbled across the interview in a cupboard that had not been touched in decades, after they likely arrived from the league’s old headquarters at the MCG.

“They were packing up some memorabilia and came across some boxes they literally hadn’t opened for a long time… and amongst scrapbooks and things they found these two discs,” he told Beaumont on Sunday about the audio, which was recorded in the old Radio 6PR studios

“We believe it’s the only audio in existence of Haydn Bunton Snr.

“The family hasn’t heard his voice for 67 years, so it’s an amazing find and Simon, I think we can call it an emotional find too.”

Possessing great speed and uncanny ball sense, the champion rover collected three Brownlow Medals in Victoria and three Sandover Medals in WA within a dozen seasons.

Tragically leaving behind two teenage sons in 1955 following a serious car accident in South Australia, Bunton’s passing at age 44 occurred just prior to the birth of television in Australia, robbing the next generations of football followers with the personal reminder of his deeds.

However, the recent discovery of the unique lacquer discs featuring a live 6PR Perth radio broadcast in August 1937 provides the first opportunity to hear the voice of a sporting icon, absent since his passing 67 years ago.

LISTEN to Beaumont’s interview with Simon Smith