Essendon is delighted to welcome five new life members, who were inducted at tonight's virtual AGM and Members Forum.
Adrian Dodoro, Brendan de Morton, Gerard Dillon, Michael Maplestone and Ricky Dyson were all recognised for their contributions to the club.
Maplestone and Dillon received life membership under the volunteer category. Dodoro, de Morton and Dyson have all served as players or officials for the club.
Dillon has been involved in the Essendonians coterie group for over three decades, serving as secretary and treasurer for 26 of those years.
He has also been responsible for numerous projects that generated significant returns for the club, and has been a generous financial supporter of the club, past players and associated programs.
Dillon was also a driving force behind the facilitation of fundraising to secure the return of Dick Reynolds’ Brownlow medals to the club for the enjoyment of all Bombers fans.
Like Dillon, Maplestone’s contribution to the club has been substantial across many years, and he continues to be involved through his role on the selection panel for Essendon’s Hall of Fame.
Maplestone was instrumental in the establishment of the original Hall of Fame Museum at Windy Hill and was the author of Flying High and Flying Higher, which both brought significant financial and historical benefits to the club.
A 114-game Bomber and favourite son will also be inducted as a life member for his time as a player and his contribution to the VFL program.
Dyson, who was the 1047th player to don the sash, played from 2004 to 2012 and was then involved in Essendon’s VFL program for the 2018 and 2019 seasons, where he held a coaching and developmental role.
One of his most cherished moments came in the Bombers' famous 2009 Anzac Day win over Collingwood, where he slotted a goal on the boundary line in driving rain, minutes before David Zaharakis' heroics sealed the come-from-behind, five-point victory.
Current club doctor and former president of the Sports Medicine Association of Australia, de Morton was also recognised for his medical expertise and contribution to the club.
After joining the Bombers in the 90s, de Morton’s extensive sports medicine knowledge has been an invaluable asset to Essendon’s medical team and players in their pursuit for success.
He started at the club as a senior medical doctor and later teamed up with the late Dr Bruce Reid to establish an incredible partnership looking after Essendon's players and their families.
Much loved, de Morton has selflessly contributed to the Bombers and continues to serve in the role looking after the current crop of Bombers.
Alongside de Morton, general manager of list and recruiting Dodoro was inducted a life member in recognition for his contribution to the club over the past two decades.
The long-serving and colourful administrator has been instrumental in identifying, recruiting and nurturing the Bombers’ young talent.
Club legend Kevin Sheedy gave Dodoro his start at the Bombers when he presented the young Essendon fan an opportunity to assist in the coaches box.
And in 1998, Dodoro officially started his reign leading the Bombers' recruiting, selecting the great Dean Rioli with his first-ever selection.
Throughout his time at the Bombers, Dodoro’s passion to take the club forward in its list management and recruiting has been unquestionable.
To this day, he maintains strong relationships with Essendon's past and present players.
The club congratulates Dodoro, de Morton, Dillon, Maplestone and Dyson on their well-deserved honour.
