November 23, 1928 is a date that holds a special place in the history of the Essendon Football Club.

We speak of course of the birthday of the legendary John Coleman, but also of huge significance, the day one of the Bombers' greatest supporters entered the world.

That remarkable lady is Merna Slattery - Essendon's third longest-serving member (one of just five with over 75 years), who this week received Windy Hill Venue life membership.

The induction also marked 20 years since she became an Essendon life member, formally honoured in 1999 for dedicating years of her life as a club volunteer.

Merna's contributions are profound, stretching back to the 1980s and '90s when she would juggle work as a school principal in Mulgrave to regularly visit Windy Hill, cooking for the players and bringing maternal care during a period that delivered three VFL/AFL premierships under the Kevin Sheedy reign.

Since 1998, she's been president of Essendon's ladies committee, while regularly supporting Windy Hill Venue in various ways.

Merna was one of four to receive Windy Hill Venue life membership this week, joining Jenny Merriman (Windy Hill senior receptionist for over 20 years), Gary Houston (Windy Hill house committee member for over 20 years) and Alwyn Chestnut (treasurer of Essendon's ladies committee since 2005, who also cooked for the players with Merna).

While ill health prevented her from joining her cohorts at the ceremony, Merna was presented with her life membership by Essendon great Simon Madden and Windy Hill Venue general manager Alan Burton while surrounded by family and friends at home.

She also took the time to spin a few yarns and reminisce on the good ol' days.

Merna, congratulations on becoming a Windy Hill Venue life member. How does it feel?

It’s very special and it’s so nice to be honoured like this. I consider myself so fortunate to have been involved with a club like Essendon. Throughout the many years, we've loved each other’s company, we've had a lot of fun, and I’d do it all again.

Before we talk about your contributions and memories of being in the club’s inner sanctum, let’s take it back to where your love for Essendon began. What made you follow the Bombers?

It was actually because of my butcher, whose name was Alan Butcher. He was a big Essendon man, who lived in Cranbourne and would deliver meats to us. The Bombers were also going pretty well at the time, so it was an easy decision.

Do you remember the first game you attended as a newly fledged Bombers supporter?

I remember I was a young teenager and it was in the early 1940s. I went with my dad and a friend of ours: Mr Bolton, a Richmond supporter who met us at Lyndhurst station. You wouldn’t believe me, but Mr Bolton took me to the outer at Windy Hill for my first game, and one of the players I recall watching was our ruckman Hugh Torney. Mr Bolton wasn’t our only connection with Richmond; my dad actually worked for the club when Danny Frawley was coach. When my dad died, Danny had the players go to my dad’s funeral.

A beautiful gesture indeed. You mentioned Hugh Torney - where does he rank in your all-time favourite Bombers?

Hugh was a star, but I've always had a soft spot for Ken Fraser, and I actually met his niece today as she’s been training here (aged care facility) for a fortnight. Ken is still alive, but his wife passed away recently. Time goes so fast. Simon Madden and Sean Wellman were also my favourites. Along with Ken, they're all fine gentlemen.

What about a favourite current Bomber?

I have to say young Adam Saad, because I sponsor him (laughs).

Good answer. Can you pinpoint why you became so closely involved with the club in the 1980s and '90s, providing meals and baking cakes for the likes of Simon Madden and Sean Wellman?

I loved Essendon and I just wanted to be involved in all aspects of the club. My friends were working at Essendon, so they got in touch with me about it. It was something to do, outside of teaching and training young girls to become principals. I’ve always been a person to encourage people to get involved. I’d drive two times a week to Windy Hill after work in Mulgrave, and it gave me another interest.

 You're still close with Kevin Sheedy, who of course led the Bombers during that time and attended your 90th birthday celebrations in 2017. What do you love about Sheeds?

He’s just such a strong character, and you need someone like him to lead a team. We've had some great memories, but I’ll never forget the day he got sacked. It was the saddest day for me as an Essendon supporter, and I remember getting a text from a friend, who told me not to worry because Sheeds would be alright. But I went to see him to say goodbye, and told him I hoped everything would turn out alright. I’ve been to lots of things ever since with Kevin, and Kevin has come to a lot of things with us. Us ladies were very fortunate to work with him.

You've been lucky enough to witness 10 VFL/AFL premierships. Do you have a favourite?

I'd have to say the Baby Bombers of 1993. It was just amazing to see them win against the odds, and I was fortunate enough to work with them.

Congratulations again, Merna, and what a journey it's been. What does Essendon mean to you?

So much. It's been a huge part of my life. I’ve given a lot to the club, but I’ve received even more in return. I just wish I could go back to the start and meet up with all the people I started with, but unfortunately there aren’t many left (laughs).