Essendon has some big fans among Gellibrand clients and last week several donned their red and black scarves, jumpers, t-shirts, and beanies when they had the chance to visit ‘The Hangar’, the club’s training facility near Melbourne Airport.
The Bombers, one of five AFL clubs that fields a team in the Victorian Wheelchair Football League, generously provided a free tour of the facility’s museum and Hall of Fame. Clients Bernadette, Matthew, Sophie, Victoria, Elizabeth, Rachel, and Rory got to see the club’s 16 VFL/AFL premiership cups up close and were awed by the giant mural of the Essendon Team of the Century. They were also introduced to the statue of Indigenous star Michael Long, finding out all about Long’s contribution to the club, the AFL, and his work as a public voice for Aboriginal people.
After the tour, clients were surprised when their tour guide kicked off a game of Essendon Football Club trivia, all about the museum and Hall of Fame tour they’d been on. There were plenty of laughs and fun as clients remembered Bomber facts – before they got prize packs that included beanies and carry bags.
Later, clients had the chance to watch the Bombers’ senior men’s team train on one of the two ovals at The Hangar. Stars like Darcy Parish, Sam Weideman, and Mason Redman wandered over to Gellibrand’s clients and were happy to sign autographs and pose for selfies. It would have taken a super-sized Essendon scarf to wipe the smiles off clients’ faces!
Then, it was time for snacks and coffee – and a trip to the souvenir shop – before clients headed home, dreaming of a 17th AFL premiership cup in 2024. A big thanks to Essendon Football Club and Tour Guide Uriah Matenga. Thanks also to Robert Batt, Gellibrand’s Finance and Operations Manager, for helping make the tour possible, and for Gellibrand Team Members for providing supports during the tour.
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