COMMUNITY AWARENESS

A VISIT TO REMEMBER

Thirty young people from Ltyentye Apurte Community in Northern Territory paid a visit to the Essendon Football Club on Wednesday, June 30th. Group leader George Shorrock said that the visit to Windy Hill is one that the group won't forget. Dean Rioli took the group on a tour of the Essendon Football Club Hall of Fame and then into the inner sanctum - for a behind the scenes look at what goes on at a professional sporting club.

After enjoying a tour of the gym, the group watched the Essendon squad warm-up before heading out to watch training. "They had a wonderful time yesterday at Essendon. They have been talking about it non-stop and are looking forward to going to The Dome tomorrow night for the game against the Kangaroos," Shorrock said.

Kate with the Essendon players before training

TIGERS AND BOMBERS A HIGHLIGHT FOR KATE

Very sick youngster, Kate, had the time of her life earlier this week when she was granted her "wish". An avid Essendon supporter, Kate thought she was just coming to training to watch her favourite team in action. She was speechless when Bomber player Ben Haynes took her and her family - mum Annette, dad Lindsay, sister Rebecca (18) and brothers David (16) and Matty (12) into the inner sanctum at Windy Hill.

Kate couldn't hold back her emotions when Bomber coach Kevin Sheedy presented her with a toy tiger in the players' gymnasium. The Essendon players stood around and cheered when Sheedy presented her with her "wish". Kate was speechless - not only did she get to meet her beloved Bombers, she also found out she will be travelling to Thailand to pat the tigers.

Kate has cancer, brought on by a melanoma. She developed an interest in going to Thailand after having treatment in the Cabrini Hospital when nurse told her of her trip to Thailand. Kate and her family are all passionate Essendon supporters and thoroughly enjoyed their afternoon at Essendon Football Club.

Phillip meets the team for his Starlight wish

TIME OF HIS LIFE

Young Phillip had the day of his life last Friday at the Essendon Football Club. His one and only Starlight wish was to meet the Essendon team. Phillip is 10-years-old and has severe Muscular Dystrophy. His condition is rapidly deteriorating and he is now confined to a wheelchair and needs constant monitoring.

Phillip arrived in style at Windy Hill on Friday courtesy of a limousine. He was taken down into the training rooms and met the Essendon team before they had their skills session. A highlight was meeting his favourite two players - Matthew Lloyd and James Hird. Phillip stayed and watched training and his Bomber experience didn't stop there.

The Essendon Football Club arranged reserved seating for Phillip and his family at the Round 6 match against Sydney. Not only did Phillip enjoy the Bombers' 10-point win he went into the Bomber change rooms afterwards to celebrate the victory. Phillip couldn't wipe the smile from his face and enjoyed his two days with the Essendon Football Club.

Robert Mills and Adam McPhee with children from the Royal Children's hospital

BOMBER STAR SPREADS SOME CHRISTMAS CHEER

Adam McPhee helped spread some Christmas cheer on Tuesday, December 16th when he visited the Starlight Express Room at the Royal Children's Hospital. The Bomber star and Melbourne's favourite idol Robert Mills were special guests at the Starlight Foundation's annual Christmas Party. McPhee was put under the griller by the children at the Christmas Party when he was asked a series of questions about pre-season training and playing for the Bombers.

The day also marked a special event where IGA's chairman, Mr Michael Daly will present Starlight with their annual cheque from IGA's Community Chest Fund for $177,224 that help support Starlight's programs.

The Starlight Foundation is the preferred charity of the Essendon Football Club.

Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy

KEVIN SHEEDY - A NIGHT TO REMEMBER

Story courtesy of the YP Country Times

In front of a crowd of 200 people, legendary Essendon AFL coach, Kevin Sheedy delighted his audience as guest speaker on Tuesday, October 14th at the Bloodhound Bar and Club in Kadina.

Kevin played 251 games for Richmond between 1967 and 1979, represented Victoria six times and played in three premierships for Richmond in 1969, 1973 and 1974. He captained Richmond in 1978 and was awarded the club best and fairest in 1976.

Kevin spoke about his experiences as a player for Richmond and later, as coach of Essendon and how he turned the Mighty Bombers into a successful club. Throughout the evening, Kevin talked about Trade week and mentioned a few young stars to look out for in the future, and where he thought the game was headed.

He noted how he is the only coach in 40 years to have allowed Collingwood to win a premiership, that being in 1990, and what it was like in 1993 to coach such a young side to the ulitmate glory. Kevin referred to former coach, Tommy Hafey and how he has labelled him the "back pocket plumber", and spoke about what it was like to have played under such a great coach.

David Shipway of B L Shipway, who sponsored the event, gave anecdotes he had on Kevin, including how he has helped people in the past. The audience were then given the opportunity to ask questions and later have their photo taken with Kevin.

During the night, the Kadina Football Club raffled off a 500 game Kevin Sheedy Port and two Essendon guernseys autographed by Kevin. A big thank you to David Shipway for securing Kevin Sheedy's visit and to all involved at the Kadina Football Club for putting on such a fantastic evening and one football enthusiasts thoroughly enjoyed.

Governor of Victoria John Landy visiting the Essendon Hall of Fame

THE GOVERNOR VISITS EFC

The Governor of Victoria, John Landy, AC, MBE, was a special visitor at the Essendon Football Club Hall of Fame last week. The Governor visited the club as part of his official visit to the City of Moonee Valley. He met with former Hall of Fame curator Barb Cullen, past Essendon players, Barry Capuano and Jim Bates (oldest living player) and former EFC chairman, Greg Sewell. The Governor enjoyed a tour of the Essendon museum before meeting Bomber coach Kevin Sheedy, who gave him a guided tour of Essendon's training facilities.

Essendon joins the Sustainability Street program in Moonee Valley

ESSENDON FOOTBALL CLUB JOINS SUSTAINABILITY STREET

Essendon Football Club has jumped on board the environmental community program Sustainability Street. The club is supporting the Sustainability Street program in Moonee Valley, which aims to help communities take action to create a healthier, more environmentally friendly & safe place to live.

Essendon chief executive Peter Jackson said the club was proud to be involved with another environmental project. "The Essendon Football Club was pleased to be involved in the Australian Greenhouse Challenge in 1999 and we are looking forward to being involved in helping to encourage healthier and safer communities, which is what this new project is about," Mr Jackson said.

Moonee Valley City Council is one of seven inner-west councils involved in the program, following a successful trial in Moreland. Moonee Valley Mayor Cr Mark Kennedy said the Council had received an enthusiastic response from different areas of the municipality, with expressions of interest closing on Thursday 31 July. "Residents in East Keilor, Flemington and Kensington have already held their own community gatherings to gauge support by their neighbours to be a part of the Sustainability Street program," Cr Kennedy said.

"There is no hard & fast rule about what form the projects can take. The variety of projects suggested by our residents have included establishing community gardens, sharing home-grown fruit & vegies and reviving community friendships."

Flemington resident Bruce Abbott said the program would be an opportunity for the community to change its environmental behaviour in terms of water, energy & waste. Mr Abbott organised a community get-together at the Canterbury Stables in Flemington, to help generate interest in the project in his neighbourhood. "This is the first opportunity we, as residents, have had to engage in a very real outcome for our local environment. It will be fun to learn from our neighbours and to develop stronger, deeper friendships," Mr Abbott said.

Essendon player Jordan Bannister helped the City of Moonee Valley launch the Sustainability Street project at Windy Hill on Monday, July 28th. For further information about how to get involved with the Sustainability Street project please call Gabrielle Stannus at the City of Moonee Valley on (03) 92439142.

Starlight @ The Dome

The Round 19 clash between Essendon and the Western Bulldogs will see the Bombers and the Starlight Children's Foundation join forces to promote awareness of the charity. The Starlight Children's Foundation is the Essendon Football Club's preferred charity and the club is proud to support them in brightening the lives of seriously ill children. The Bombers will assist Starlight with their annual fundraising and awareness event at the Essendon v Western Bulldogs match at The Dome. Join Captain Starlight and Starman at the match on Sunday August 10 and show your support!

Wheelchair bound Bradley, 16, from the Northern Territory with his hero Matthew Lloyd, in Melbourne courtesy of The Starlight Foundation

BOMBER FANS SHINE BRIGHT

Bradley could not wipe the smile from his face recently when he attended Essendon training. Not only did he meet his idol Matthew Lloyd he also tried to take over Bomber coach Kevin Sheedy's press conference. Bradley came all the way with his family from the Northern Territory to visit his favourite team. The 16-year-old suffers from cerebral palsy and is restricted to a wheel chair. After training Bradley presented Sheedy with a Didgeridoo and enjoyed meeting all his favourite players in the changing rooms.

Essendon assisted its preferred charity the Starlight Foundation in granting Bradley's wish of attending Bomber training and a match. Not only did Bradley get to visit the training rooms at Windy Hill, meet all his favourite players and watch training he was also the team's mascot for the Round 13 match against Geelong at the Dome. Bradley was carried through the Essendon banner by the cheer squad and then got to celebrate the six goal win with the team after the game in the rooms.

Bali survivors Andrew Csabli, Glen Forster and Glenn Cosman with Kevin Sheedy

BALI TRIO INSPIRE BOMBERS

Essendon was fortunate enough to have three of the Bali victims address the players before the match against West Coast. Avid Essendon supporters Glenn Cosman, Andrew Csabi and Glen Forster flew down from the Gold Coast on Friday to speak to the players and attend Sunday's game. The trio have been involved with Essendon since late last year when Bomber coach Kevin Sheedy spoke at the Surfers Paradise Football Club. They were guests of the club at the Round 1 match against Brisbane at the Gabba and Sheedy invited them to attend the Round 10 match.

Cosman, Csabi and Forster spoke to the Essendon players about their experience in Bali and the life and death situation they found themselves in. The playing group was deeply moved by the three sharing their harrowing experience and were grateful for them taking the time to share their ordeal.

"Three of the Bali victims came and spoke to us. It did play a fair part in what I had to say leading the side against West Coast. They had a lot of life and death decisions to make in the Bali situation, whether they had the will to live. The three have such a bond from the incident. Our life and death situation was on the ground against West Coast in a knock out Round 10 final. It did spur the guys on and it put life into perspective and made us appreciate what we have got. It was a great thing to have speakers like that come to the club," Matthew Lloyd said after the game on Sunday.

Forster, Cosmann and Csabi are all life long Essendon supporters and former Melbourne residents. They were delighted to be involved with the club and hoped their experience in Bali could spur the team on. "It has been a great situation - we have been involved with the footy club since late last year. We had Kevin Sheedy up at the Gold Coast speaking to the Surfers Paradise Football Club and from there it has evolved. We have kept in contact with the club and were invited down this weekend to do a talk to the players. We have had a fantastic week and the weekend was topped off by a great victory against West Coast," said Forster.

Forster's right foot was blown off in the Bali bombing. He has had nine operations and to date he still may lose his foot. "I still have a lot of rehab to do through to keep my foot. I am drawing on strength from meeting the football players and giving my positivity to them through the week has been a great thing. Harvs said he used some of our speech from the other day to inspire the players in the match against West Coast. Being an Essendon supporter all my life I have had a fantastic weekend," Forster said.

Some might say there is more to life than just winning a football game and you can't compare doing battle on a football field to what the three encountered in Bali. Forster agreeded and said after speaking to the players it is hard to know which way it will go. "It could work 180 degrees. Sheedy mentioned the other day that they live in a cocoon type world where everything is football and sometimes hearing something that we have been through can put perspective on their lives," Forster said. "Paul Barnard is my favourite player and I spoke to him at the club. He said I look at myself and I have had two weeks off through suspension it is one of those things. He said after speaking to us he looks at his minute situation and it doesn't exists compared to what we have been through."

Dear Essendon Football Club,

Thanks again for your generous donation of the James Hird jumper to raffle to raise funds for our excusion to Melbourne & barrack for the Bombers against Brisbane. The tickets are selling like hotcakes & the kids are eagerly counting down the 50 days until the big day. As promised please find the attatched photoghraphs of the kids in their Bombers gear. Also as you can see we have decorated the classroom with Essendon memorbillia to create our very own Bombers Hall of Fame. We can't wait to see how this compares to the real thing.

Regards, Stephen Mathers
Newmerella Primary School

EASTERN TRAINING SESSION A BIG HIT

The Essendon team ventured to the Eastern suburbs on Monday, May 26th for training. The team's skill session was held at Yarra Valley Grammar, Ringwood and over 1000 people came to watch the Bombers in action. Supporters enjoyed a sausage sizzle while they watched the team run through their paces and after training the players signed autographs for the fans.

Matthew Lloyd with his Star Day tattoo

STAR DAY LAUNCH

On May 7th the Essendon players helped launch STARDAY. The Bomber players covered their arms in STARDAY tattoos in support of the Starlight Foundations national fundraising and awareness day and ran through a special STARDAY banner put together by the cheer squad at their skills session at Windy Hill. The Starlight Children's Foundation brightens the lives of seriously and terminally ill children by granting their wishes and providing hospital entertainment to help take their minds off the pain, fear and isolation of their illness. The Starlight Foundation is the Essendon Football Club's preferred charity.

If you wish to support Starday you can purchase Starday merchandise at various retail outlets and street stalls or can make a donation by calling - 1300 727 827.

Rob Forster-Knight with Lachlan Hinds

PLAYERS VISIT CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL IN SYDNEY

During their recent training camp in Sydney the Essendon players took time out from their training schedule to visit the Westmead Children's Hospital. The players spent the afternoon hanging out with children on different wards and also tested their skills on the pool table.

EFC HELPS GRANT WISH OF SICK CHILD

The Essendon Football club made avid Bombers supporter James' day last week when on behalf of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, they presented him with a trip to Queensland.The five-year-old visited training and met all this favourite Essendon players, including coach Kevin Sheedy. The nephew of Essendon premiership player Gary Moorcroft couldn't wipe the smile from his face when Paul Barnard and Adam Ramanuaskas told him the news about his trip to the Gold Coast for him and his family.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation was delighted that they were successful in granting James'wish, which they will depart for on 15th March 2003. A great place to celebrate his 6th birthday, which falls on the 19th March. The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the cherished wishes of children suffering with a life threatening illness, and creates magic for them and their families whilst providing them with some time out from doctors and treatments. They are a 'not for profit' organization and therefore receive no government funding to assist us in our work.

JASON JOHNSON TO MARK IT IN MARCH

Essendon midfielder Jason Johnson marked his prize possession today - the 2001 Crichton medal. The 25-year-old ensured his best and fairest medal will never fall into the wrong hands when he joined the Victoria police to highlight the importance of the current Neighbourhood Watch Mark it in March program at Moonee Ponds police station earlier today.

The Mark it in March program is a free property-marking service the Victoria Police is offering to protect people's valuables. Senior Sergeant Mark Standish from Neighbourhood Watch said the annual program not only helps police return a substantial amount of property to rightful owners, it also acts as a deterrent for would-be thieves.

"With the number of marking days extended this year and all the Good Guys electrical discount warehouses supporting the campaign, people should take the opportunity to make sure their valuables are properly identified," he said.

"People should consider marking items such as mobile phones, electrical appliances, cameras, bicycles, power tools and lap-top computers. We want to ensure that peoples precious goods don't go unclaimed, simply because police aren't able to find the rightful owner," said Senior Sergeant Standish.

For further information about the Mark it in March program please contact the Victoria Police in your suburb.

Kevin Sheedy with Sammy-Joe Liistro and his brother Christian

SUN SHINES FOR YOUNG BOMBER FAN

The Bombers had a special guest at their official team photo yesterday. Thirteen-year-old Sammy-Joe Liistro was invited by the club to meet the Bomber players and join into the team photo. Sammy-Joe suffers from an extremely rare genetic disorder called trichothiodystrophy, which means playing outside in the sun could be deadly. To his delight, Sammy-Joe met all his favourite players including his idol James Hird. Sammy-Joe gave Hird a big hug and declared - "I love you James."

Sammy-Joe came to training with six layers on top and three layers of pants, including a solar suit and two hats to protect him from the dangerous UV rays. The Liistro family have set up the Sammy-Joe Trust Fund to raise money to send the family to America, where a new gene replacement therapy may cure him. To donate - call 9390 9920 or go to www.vp-it.com.au/sammyjoe

EFC LIBRARY

The Essendon Football Club Hall of Fame now has a Football Research Library for all lovers of football. It contains books on all AFL/VFL clubs, community teams, coaching, fitness, yearbooks, statistics, footy records, newspaper articles, soccer, rugby and gridiron.

Normal admission prices to the Hall of Fame apply to access the library. Adults $5. Family $12 Members & Concessions $4. The Hall of Fame is open Tuesday to Friday 10.00am - 5.00 pm, Saturday 12 noon - 4.00 pm. Phone (03) 92300351 for more information

> READ ALL THE COMMUNITY AWARENESS NEWS FROM 2002