Born in May 7 1856, Alexander McCracken, son of brewer Robert, was more interested in sport than the family business.  In 1872, while Alex was 17 and still attending Scotch College that famous meeting took place at “Ailsa”, which lead to the birth of the Essendon Football Club. 

Although Alex had wanted to be a horse trainer, his father did not consider the occupation suitable for his son and insisted he pursue an interest in the family business.  He joined the brewery as junior partner in 1884.  In the same year he also married Mary Peck, daughter of John Murray Peck, founder of the famous Cobb and Co. Coaches. 

Alex ran for political office in 1894, but was unsuccessful.  He stood for the Essendon Flemington electorate against Alfred Deakin (who became Australia’s second Prime Minister in 1903). 

Most notably Alex was involved in the formation of the Essendon Football Club, but his other sporting interests included:

• Founder and president of Essendon Rowing Club

• Founder of Essendon Cricket and Tennis Clubs

• Vice-president of North Suburban Cycling Club and Essendon Golf Club

• Patron of Essendon Bowling Club

• Chairman of Royal Agricultural Society

• Vice-president of Victorian Racing Club

• Founder of Oaklands Hunt Club

• First president of the Victorian Football League

• Essendon Football Club’s first life member in 1905

Alex also had many business interests, including the following:

• Early president of Brewers Club of Melbourne (1891)

• First chairman of Brewers Association of Victoria (1901)

• First chairman of Manufacturers Bottle Company of Victoria (1903)

• First chairman of Liquor Trade Defences Union (1903)

On December 12 1887, Alex purchased “North Park” estate from James Ewart for £5,000 and in 1889 began constructing “North Park", a 42-room mansion that was to become his home.   

North Park Mansion as it appears today (2003)

Alex died of cirrhosis of the liver at North Park on August 25, 1915.  His estate was sold off in 1920 by his widow, Mary Peck.  North Park mansion was bought by Harvey Paterson, an executive of BHP.  In 1923 the house and land was bought by the Catholic St. Columban Mission.  The mansion was added to the Victorian Heritage Register in 1997 and is presently the Australian Headquarters of the St. Columban Mission, located in Woodland Street, Essendon.