Essendon Football Club is mourning the loss of former Victorian Premier and Essendon supporter, Joan Kirner.

Victoria’s first and only female premier died aged 76.

“Joan Kirner was a loyal and passionate supporter of the Essendon Football Club,” Bombers CEO Xavier Campbell said.

“She did a tremendous amount of work with the Essendon Women’s Network and we are deeply saddened by her loss.” 

The current Chair of the Essendon Women’s Network, Jane Grover, said the former Premier was all about diversity and inclusion. 

“She was a pioneer,” Grover said.

“She was about change ahead of change. 

“She was about challenging the status quo.”

State and Federal politicians from both sides of the political divide praised the work Ms. Kirner did for gender equality and education. 

“When I think of Joan, I think of a Winston Churchill quote,” Grover said.

“He said ‘We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.’”

Joan Kirner is survived by her husband Ron, their three children and four grandchildren.