In addition to the financial support provided to the 10 affiliated sporting sections each year through the trading profits of the Windy Hill Venue the Essendon Football Club is also very pleased to make available an outstanding service award to the Sporting Sections. This is a non-sporting achievement award and is intended for someone who has made a valuable contribution to their club which can quite often go unnoticed.
I’m pleased to announce that the award for the past year goes to Gary O’Brien. Gary or as he is known affectionately “Goblin”, has been involved with our Baseball club for the previous 38 years approx.
On behalf of all EBC members I say congratulations and extremely well deserved,
- Has been an EBC member since the mid-1980’s after moving to Melbourne from his hometown of Colac. He continued to be also involved in Colac and was latter made a Life Member of Colac Baseball Club.
- Has held all of the key committee positions at EBC including:
- President for two years
- Secretary for two years
- Treasurer for three years
- Club Grounds Manager 10 seasons
- Was instrumental along with Don Cornish in securing the movement of the club from Glen St Reserve to Boeing reserve.
- Vice President “Essendon Club” prior to Merger with the Football Club
- Club Liaison to the “Essendon Club” and after the merger, club liaison to EF&CSC
- President Victorian Provincial Baseball League
- Executive Officer for the Victorian Provincial Baseball League representative teams (6 seasons)
- Coached several seasons EBC Junior and Senior teams
- Was awarded the Baseball Victoria Volunteer of the Year in 2004/5
- Two-time EBC Clubperson of the Year – 1992/3 and 2004/5
- Was made a Life Member of EBC in 2006/7
- Has been the primary electronic scoreboard operator at Boeing Reserve for multiple years
- 15 yrs Club Webmaster
- Club Registrar 20 + years, Summer & Winter
- Despite serious health issues, continues to support the EBC coaching group by supplying stats and scouting reports on opposition clubs over the past 12 years
- Overall has held many positions over the previous 38 yrs.