Lorna Birney has been awarded Life Membership of the Essendon Football Club in recognition of her 20 years service.

Birney’s tenure commenced in 1995 when she was employed as Football Secretary. 

In this role Birney set up the administrative arm of the football department and also established the player medical process for claiming rebates through private insurances. 

Board Member and former player Chris Heffernan reflected on Birney’s dry wit and calm approach when he presented her with the honour. 

“Lorna’s time in the football department coincided with enormous change and evolution in the game,” Heffernan said.

“Clubs grew from small, lightly staffed teams to large, professional and national sporting organisations.

“Our football department grew from a rabbit warren under the Reynolds Stand to the modern and industry leading high performance centre we now have at Tullamarine.

“In Lorna’s 20 years of service she has quietly got on with the job and managed some of the less glamorous tasks in the football department. 

“All the while, Lorna was a friendly and familiar face and calming influence.”

Birney was typically modest in her acceptance, thanking the Board for the recognition and wishing everyone a happy Christmas.

“There has been a lot of changes including the wonderful place we now have at Tullamarine,” she said.

“We’ve had a wonderful time through the years at Essendon Football Club.”