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Rob Dickson
Rob Dickson
Rob Dickson
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Robert Dickson (14 November 1963 – 10 April 2009) was an Australian rules footballer in the VFL/AFL, a film director, and the winner of the first edition of the reality game show Australian Survivor.

Key Information

Early life and education

[edit]

Dickson was born in Box Hill to Rick and Effie Dickson and was one of six children. He attended St Pauls College, Traralgon, in Victoria, Australia.[1] Dickson learnt to fly a helicopter whilst employed by the National Safety Council of Australia. He also had a hobby of being an amateur film maker. He took a lot of footage at the Hawthorn Football Club whilst he was on their player list.

Football career

[edit]

Dickson made his VFL debut with the Hawthorn Football Club in 1988 after being recruited from Morwell, Victoria. He was a fringe player for the Hawks who played in the midfield (at 180 cm and 75 kg), and spent a lot of time in the reserves side. He was selected as an emergency for the 1989 VFL Grand Final. He went on to play 17 games (kicking 12 goals) for Hawthorn in 3 seasons from 1988–1990. He then moved to the Brisbane Bears where he played for one season, in 1991. He played in the 1991 reserves premiership side for Brisbane.[2]

Media career

[edit]

Following his football career, Dickson became a film director, directing the television documentaries The Passion to Play, Shane Crawford Exposed and The Essence of The Game, which was commissioned by the AFL to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Australian rules in 2009.[2]

Australian Survivor

[edit]

Dickson was one of the 16 castaways on the first edition of Australian Survivor, which aired on the Nine Network in 2002. He was a member of the Tipara tribe which won all but one tribal immunity challenge, meaning the tribes merged with Tipara having a 7–3 advantage. The Tipara Seven stuck together to vote out the remaining three members of the rival Kadina tribe before having to turn on their own.

At the final 6, Dickson formed a new alliance with Sciona Browne and Joel Betts, making a final 3 deal to reach the end of the game. They succeeded, despite Betts facing a tied vote (which he survived due to having less previous votes than another contestant). Dickson secured his place in the Final Two by winning the final immunity challenge and voted out Betts, who had agreed to throw the final challenge so that the pair of allies could make it to the Final Two. Dickson and Browne faced the Final Tribal Council, where he won the A$500,000 grand prize in a 5-2 jury vote.[3]

Dickson said at the time that he would use the funds to help his South African mother-in-law emigrate to Australia.

In 2020, he was inducted into the inaugural Australian Survivor Hall of Fame.[4]

Death

[edit]

Dickson and his 5-year-old son Byron died in a car accident whilst on holiday in South Africa on 10 April 2009. Reports at the time said he failed to give way when he performed a u-turn. His oldest son Gabriel, 8, died on 15 April 2009 in the Unitas Hospital due to injuries sustained in the crash. His wife, Dusty, survived. Dickson was the first winner of any version of Survivor to die.[5][3]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Rob Dickson

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Robert Dickson (14 November 1963 – 10 April 2009) was an , personality, and documentary filmmaker known for his contributions to (AFL) storytelling. Dickson began his professional football career as a gutsy midfielder, playing 17 games for the between 1988 and 1991, including serving as an emergency in their 1989 premiership win, before transferring to the for two additional matches. After retiring from playing, he transitioned into filmmaking, directing acclaimed AFL documentaries such as Access All Areas: Shane Crawford Exposed (2004), which provided intimate behind-the-scenes access to players, and other works that captured the essence of the sport he loved. His films were praised for their insightful and uplifting portrayal of , establishing him as an emerging in sports media. In 2002, Dickson gained widespread recognition as the winner of the first season of , outlasting 15 other contestants to claim the A$500,000 prize at age 38; a father of one, he dedicated his victory to his family and used the winnings to support personal and professional endeavors. Tragically, Dickson's life ended in a car accident in on 10 April 2009, which also claimed the lives of his two young sons, aged five and eight, leaving behind his wife and the broader AFL community in mourning.

Early life

Birth and family background

Robert Dickson was born on 14 November 1963 in , . He was the son of Rick and Effie Dickson and grew up as one of six children in the family, alongside siblings Susan, Graham, Don, Pete, and Ricky. The Dickson family resided in Victoria during Rob's early childhood, where the household was marked by strong familial bonds and a lively atmosphere, with Rob often at the center of the fun and humor among his siblings. Later in life, Dickson married Dusty, whom he met in , establishing a that included their children and reflected his commitment to building a supportive home environment.

Education and early interests

Dickson attended St Paul's College in , Victoria, following his 's relocation to . Fresh out of school, he pursued aviation training and obtained a helicopter pilot's license through the National Safety Council of , achieving this milestone at the age of 17. He also earned licenses for and operating an 18-wheel truck, reflecting his early fascination with mechanical and adventurous pursuits. These interests were nurtured in a supportive family environment, where his parents and siblings encouraged his exploratory endeavors. Dickson developed a passion for filmmaking during his teenage years, beginning with amateur experiments that blended his love for cinema and . At 17, he orchestrated a daring recreation of a scene from Apocalypse Now at the Drive-In, coordinating a hover to sync with Wagner's and eliciting a strong reaction from the audience. This hands-on approach extended to other extracurricular activities, including a tour through for CARE and mission work, which honed his appetite for adventure and storytelling. As his involvement with the grew, Dickson captured personal footage of the team, including behind-the-scenes moments from their overseas tours in the 1980s, which he later compiled into the amateur video Good for Football released in 1990. These early efforts underscored his emerging talent for documenting sports and life experiences through , shaping his future creative path.

Football career

Time at Hawthorn Football Club

Rob Dickson made his VFL debut for the in Round 1 of the 1988 season against Carlton at the age of 24, marking an unusually late entry into the league as a mature-age player. Playing primarily as a gutsy , he kicked a goal on debut and went on to score in each of his first five games, demonstrating early promise in a team that would dominate the competition. Over three seasons from 1988 to 1990, Dickson appeared in 17 senior games for Hawthorn, booting 12 goals in total. His appearances were spread across the periods: seven games and eight goals in 1988, six games and three goals in 1989, and four games with one goal in 1990. As a fringe player on a powerhouse Hawthorn side that secured premierships in both 1988 and 1989, Dickson contributed to the team's depth during their golden era under coach Allan Jeans. One of Dickson's standout moments came in Round 5 of 1988 against , where Hawthorn recorded a 77-point victory (31.19.205 to 19.14.128); he earned three votes for his impressive performance on the day. Later that year, he was part of the Hawks' path to the flag, and in 1989, Dickson served as an emergency player for the VFL , witnessing Hawthorn's narrow six-point win over from the sidelines. These experiences highlighted his role in supporting the club's dynasty, even if his senior opportunities remained limited.

Time at Brisbane Bears

In 1991, Rob Dickson transferred from Hawthorn to the , marking the final year of his senior (AFL) career. This move came after three seasons with the Hawks, where limited opportunities at the senior level prompted the change to the expansion club based in . During his lone season with the Bears, Dickson appeared in just two senior matches, both in the latter part of the year, without registering a goal. His senior contributions were minimal amid a competitive Bears lineup struggling in the AFL, finishing with the that season. The brevity of his time at the senior level reflected broader challenges in securing consistent selection, leading to a focus on reserves football. Across his entire AFL career with Hawthorn and Brisbane, Dickson played 19 games and kicked 12 goals. Dickson found greater success in the reserves, playing a key role in the ' 1991 reserves premiership-winning team, which defeated by 34 points in the grand final at . As a versatile contributor in the backline and midfield, his experience from Hawthorn helped bolster the side's depth during their triumphant reserves campaign—the club's first and only premiership at that level. This achievement provided a positive capstone to his playing days before transitioning out of professional football.

Entertainment and media career

Participation in Australian Survivor

Rob Dickson competed in the inaugural season of , which premiered on the on 13 February 2002 and concluded on 15 May 2002, featuring 16 castaways marooned south of in . Following his retirement from professional , he joined the Tipara tribe at the outset of the competition. The Tipara tribe performed strongly in early immunity challenges, advancing Dickson through the initial phase of the game. As the season progressed, the tribes merged into Aurora, where Dickson navigated strategic gameplay to reach the final two alongside Sciona Browne. He formed key alliances, including a pivotal final three pact that positioned him advantageously in the endgame. The jury of eliminated contestants voted 5-2 in his favor, crowning him the Sole Survivor and awarding him the A$500,000 grand prize. In the finale, Dickson shared his intentions for the winnings, stating he planned to use the funds to help his wife's family, including his mother-in-law, migrate to Australia from Zimbabwe. His victory marked him as the first winner of the Australian edition of the franchise. Dickson received posthumous recognition for his gameplay when he was inducted into the inaugural Australian Survivor Hall of Fame in 2020. He holds the distinction as the first Australian Survivor winner to pass away.

Filmmaking and documentaries

After retiring from professional in 1991, Rob Dickson transitioned into filmmaking, drawing on his firsthand experience as a player to create documentaries that explored the sport's emotional and cultural depth. Dickson directed The Passion to Play in 2002, a two-part produced by Hush Productions and broadcast on , which featured interviews with over 180 current and former AFL players discussing the motivations and challenges of the game. The film emphasized the personal sacrifices and joys of playing, offering an immersive look at club life, including a segment on debutant Des Headland's 1999 entry into the league, and was noted for its innovative use of interactive elements to engage viewers. Reception was positive, with the documentary praised for revealing the human side of elite athletes and marking the start of Dickson's influential series on Australian football. In 2004, Dickson released Access All Areas: Shane Crawford Exposed, an observational documentary that followed Hawthorn captain through the , providing intimate access to his professional pressures, form struggles, and . Dickson's insider perspective as a former Hawthorn allowed for authentic portrayals, capturing Crawford's flamboyant personality amid intense scrutiny. The film garnered wide acclaim for its candid insights into a star player's world, highlighting the mental and emotional toll of the sport. Dickson’s final major work, The Essence of the Game, premiered in 2009 on the Seven Network as a 90-minute documentary commissioned by the AFL and Channel Seven to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Australian rules football's origins. Hosted and narrated by , it chronicled a year in the sport from grassroots community clubs to the elite level, focusing on players' final seasons like those of and , while weaving in footage and stories of camaraderie. Production involved extensive all-access filming, resulting in unique, previously unseen visions that captured the game's unifying spirit across levels. AFL CEO lauded it for articulating the sport's core essence, and Buckley predicted it would reignite fans' love for the game, cementing its status as Dickson's most celebrated effort. Throughout his documentaries, Dickson consistently emphasized themes of passion, resilience, and historical significance in Australian football, leveraging his playing background—spanning 17 games for Hawthorn—to infuse authenticity and empathy into player profiles and narratives. His works, often in collaboration with brother Pete, provided uplifting, insightful portraits that resonated with audiences by bridging personal stories with the sport's broader cultural impact.

Death and legacy

The 2009 accident

On 10 April 2009, Rob Dickson, aged 45, was traveling with his family—wife Dusty and sons Gabriel and Byron—during a holiday in . The group was en route from Sun City to in a rented when it collided with a on the R511 road, resulting in a severe crash. Dickson and his youngest son, Byron, aged 5, were killed instantly in the accident. Dusty and the older son, Gabriel, survived the initial impact and were hospitalized for treatment of their injuries.

Family aftermath and tributes

Rob Dickson's older son, , aged 8, died on April 15, 2009, from injuries sustained in the car accident in . His wife, Dusty, survived the crash but suffered severe injuries, leading to difficulties with sleep and emotional coping in the immediate aftermath; she was reported to be preparing to return to shortly thereafter. In 2013, 's Road Accident Fund accepted liability and paid out a substantial sum to Dickson's , Dusty. The Dickson family described themselves as "shattered" by the triple loss, with brothers Don and Peter Dickson expressing profound and gratitude for the overwhelming community support during this period. In the years following, Peter Dickson, a filmmaker himself, continued to grapple with intense , anxiety, and depression, viewing the tragedy as a loss of "everything" and crediting for helping him process it, though daily sadness persisted. He later honored his brother through the 2022 book He Was My Brother, which explores their close bond and Rob's influence as a mentor and storyteller. A memorial service for , Gabriel, and Byron Dickson was held on May 6, 2009, in , attended by numerous AFL players, coaches, and senior figures who gathered to pay their respects to the former player and his family. CEO Ian Robson led tributes from the club, highlighting Dickson's significant contributions to football through his documentaries and his enduring legacy beyond his 17 games on the field. Within the Australian Survivor community, where Dickson had won the inaugural 2002 season, tributes continued posthumously; in 2020, he was inducted into the Australian Survivor Hall of Fame, with his father Rick interviewed about the honor. The original cast reunited in November 2022 for an official function that included tributes to Dickson alongside other deceased participants. These acknowledgments underscored his multifaceted legacy as an , filmmaker, and pioneer.

References

  1. https://www.afl.com.au/news/507027/ex-hawk-turned-filmmaker-dies-in-accident
  2. https://www.smh.com.au/national/insightful-auteur-captured-the-game-he-loved-20090420-acrs.html
  3. https://thevietnamswans.com/former-hawk-rob-dickson-dies-in-car-crash/
  4. https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/rob-wins-australian-survivor-20020516-gdu7mq.html
  5. https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/ex-hawk-rob-dickson-killed-in-car-accident-20090412-ge7sk9.html
  6. https://www.smh.com.au/national/footy-loses-some-of-its-essence-in-fatal-road-crash-20090412-a3mw.html
  7. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-04-15/third-tragedy-as-former-hawks-son-dies/1651432
  8. https://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/pg-brisbane-lions--robert-dickson
  9. https://www.smh.com.au/national/sad-farewell-to-a-loving-dad-and-two-small-boys-20090506-avca.html
  10. https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/peter-dickson-wants-to-make-documentary-about-his-father-robert-legendary-afl-documentary-maker/news-story/021a4134341f3ffce8d70f9f33f8bbd8
  11. https://www.dicksonfilms.com.au/rob-dickson-films
  12. https://www.hawthornfc.com.au/news/758960/round-4-footy-flashbacks
  13. https://afltables.com/afl/stats/players/R/Robert_Dickson.html
  14. https://www.hawthornfc.com.au/news/388775/footy-flashbacks-round-5
  15. https://afltables.com/afl/brownlow/brownlow1988rbr.html
  16. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlcUL7SJBS8
  17. http://www.australiantelevision.net/survivor/2002.html
  18. https://www.nowtolove.com.au/entertainment/reality-tv/survivor-australia-where-are-they-now-58146/
  19. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMtVJYArCXg
  20. https://www.footyalmanac.com.au/five-infamous-afl-documentaries/
  21. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2345469/
  22. https://www.afl.com.au/news/67978/doco-captures-essence-of-the-game
  23. https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/the-screen-guide/t/the-essence-of-the-game-2009/28091/
  24. https://www.arrivealive.co.za/print.aspx?s=1&i=1366
  25. https://www.news24.com/life/raf-pays-out-to-wife-after-survivor-winner-dies-in-sa-20130902
  26. https://www.arrivealive.mobi/news.aspx?s=4&i=4862&name=australian-survivor-star-killed-in-crash-near-sun-city
  27. https://www.watoday.com.au/national/footy-loses-some-of-its-essence-in-fatal-road-crash-20090412-a3q2.html
  28. https://www.smh.com.au/national/rob-dicksons-oldest-son-dies-after-south-africa-car-crash-20090415-a6km.html
  29. https://www.smh.com.au/national/family-grieves-for-afl-man-and-sons-20090425-aier.html
  30. https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/film-maker-peter-dickson-continues-to-struggle-with-the-loss-of-brother-rob/news-story/072eff70df5e53f08e8a0b0723af3f31
  31. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-05-06/mourners-pay-tribute-to-former-afl-player/1674362
  32. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylXTni2c4Kc
  33. https://tvtonight.com.au/2022/11/australian-survivor-season-one-cast-reunite.html
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