The club also inducted six new life members. These were:
Scott Lucas
Played: 1996- . Games: 203, Goals: 303
Scott Lucas was Essendon's 4th choice draft pick in the 1994 National Draft who represented the Victorian Country team in 1994 at under 17s. Lucas, made his debut in 1996 in the blockbuster Anzac Day game against Collingwood at the MCG in front of 90,000 people. He was a member of the 2000 Premiership team, was joint best and fairest winner with James Hird in 2003.
Ian Shelton
Played: 1959-1963, 1965. Games: 91, Goals: 2
Shelton, was one of the toughest players of his time. A top ranking centre half back, 'Bluey' Shelton came to Essendon from Avenel where he played in 1958. Prior to that he was at Avenel-Longwood. In his first year in 1959, after early permit and injury problems, he fast became an Essendon idol when he was best on the ground in the first semi-final. He won the Dons’ best first year player award. Shelton was third in the club's best & fairest award in 1961 and runner-up in 1962, and also played for Victoria twice that year. He played at centre half back in the club's 1962 premiership team and again in the 1965 premiership team, when he was vice-captain, but nearly missed the game with a shoulder injury. Shelton had missed all of the 1964 season with a serious eye injury suffered on the family farm, which led to fears he would lose his sight. Shelton recovered but never quite captured his previous form and suffered more frustrating injuries. Despite this he never gave less than 100%. Shelton left the Dons after the 1965 season to become captain-coach of Seymour from 1966 to 1969 and then returned to Avenel from 1970 to 1972 and in 1974. He later had a year as official runner at Essendon in 1975.
John Williams
Played: 1965-1973. Games:161, Goals: 14
Williams was solid rather than spectacular and gave opponents few kicks while often not getting many himself. He was vice captain in 1971 and 1973. He was also appointed captain for a game in 1970 when five of the Dons senior players resigned in a dispute over money and conditions. Williams was selected in the State side in 1970 and 1972 and won an All Australian blazer in 1972. He was also named at centre half back in 'The Sun' All Star team in 1970. He was runner-up in Essendon's best and fairest award in 1971 and finished third in 1970 and 1972. Williams was also equal third in the League Brownlow Medal award in 1972 with 18 votes and was the Dons second top vote scorer in 1971. He was at centre half back in the losing 1968 grand final team and won the best clubman award in 1967 and 1969 and the best team man award in 1968 and 1973. After being dogged by a leg injury in the twilight of his career, Williams transferred to Collingwood from 1974 to 1976 where he played 36 games. He then played with Brunswick in 1977.
Kevin Parks
10 games, 0 goals
Parks was a half back, he came from Broadford and prior to that had played with Kilmore. Was on the list in 1957 and then played 10 games in 1958 and 1959 and showed promise. Parks then played with Kyneton from 1960 to 1966 and was captain-coach in 1965 and 1966 with a premiership in 1966. He won the best and fairest award in the Bendigo League in 1960 and was vice captain of the Bendigo League side that won the Country Championship in 1962. Kevin has spent the past 34 years serving on the committee of the Essendon Football Club Past Players and Officials Association. The past six of those years he has served as President.
Graeme McMahon
Graeme played for the Essendon under 19s in 1958 before playing VFA football with Prahran where he briefly crossed paths with a young Kevin Sheedy. He was Chairman of the Essendon Football Club between 1997 and 2003 - a period that saw Essendon win one Premiership and play in two Grand Finals. Off field during this period Essendon became one of the most financially stable clubs in the AFL. Graeme was also Chairman of the Essendon Football Club Social Club between 1997 and 2003 and also Chairman of the Hall of Fame trustees during the same period. Between 1998 and 2003, Graeme was also President of the Melton Country Club.
Paul Wise
Paul's association with Essendon commenced in 1984 when he was a trainer for the under 19 team. In 1987 he joined the senior physiotherapy team. Much of time has been spent working with the Essendon reserves and more recently with the Bendigo Bombers. Paul has been a great ambassador for Essendon through his work with the AFL/AIS Academy squad in 2002 and 2003.
