the Spinal Unit. Duffy became a member of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP), upon receiving his MD in 1945 and he became a fellow of the RACP in 1954. He served on the Victorian State Committee of the RACP from 1958 to 1964. Duffy was also a member of the Australian Rheumatism Association, the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand, and the Australasian Society of Nephrology. Melbourne Football Club Duffy began his association with the Melbourne Football Club when he became the club's medical officer in 1951, a role which he kept for many years. He also served on the board of the club and, when long-serving president Sir Albert Chadwick stepped down in 1963, Duffy assumed the presidency. In his second season as president the Demons won their sixth premiership in ten seasons, all of which were coached by the legendary Norm Smith, but their first under Duffy's presidency. This was, however, to be the peak of Duffy's 12 years as president, with arguably the lowest moment coming only a year later. Having lost star player Ron Barassi during the off-season and many other premiership players retiring, the Demons were not the team they once were, though they still won the first eight games of the season. However, in round 9 Melbourne lost to St Kilda by ten goals, which was the worst loss of Smith's coaching career and when the Demons then lost two of their next three games Duffy and his board made the decision to sack Smith, who later went on to be named AFL Coach of the Century. This caused a sensation, occupying the front and back pages of one of Melbourne's main newspapers, The Sun News-Pictorial, and occupying the first three pages of the other, The Age. After a severe public backlash to the decision, Smith was reinstated as coach by the board the very next day, which was again front-page news. Smith and Duffy were pictured, shaking hands, and Smith declared that "I think we will see Melbourne more united than ever". This was not to be the case as the Demons did not make the finals again until 1987. Duffy resigned as president at the end of 1974, and was succeeded by John Mitchell. Duffy also served on the committee of the Melbourne Cricket Club. Nominated by Ivor Warne-Smith, Duffy was elected to the committee on 26 August 1960