It is an honour to officially present our newest Life Member inductees, Bob Blows, Barb Evans and Jonathan Jaensch. Presented by our Chairman Peter Harvey with medallions, in front of a packed house of delegates, sponsors, committee, Lofty Legends, members and supporters at the annual and prestigious Chairmans Lunch on 11 May 2024.
We thank you for three for being such an amazing support and part of our amazing club history. Without people like you, our club would not be what it is.
Life Membership can be presented by any member to committee in reference to a person that has served more than 10 years intensive service *detail must be provided, which is then voted upon by a life membership committee, to be inducted at the current year AGM, and presented at the following year’s Chairman’s Lunch. The afore mentioned Life Member inductees were announced at the 2023 AGM in November, and present on 11 May.
JONATHAN JAENSCH | MT LOFTY DISTRICT FOOTBALL CLUB
Jono could not be with us on the day due to a family event, he did send through an acceptance write up, however, we can tell you he was brought to tears at the 2023 AGM on hearing of his Life Membership induction.
Jonathan “Sheepdog” Jaencsh is the person that every football club needs and thrives on.
He started playing in the C Grade in 2011 playing in a Grand Final that didn’t go their way.
In 2012 he played in B Grade and C Grade, unfortunately sustaining an injury which took him to hospital, and made the call to the coach that he would not be continuing playing.
He did not let that stop him being a part of the club he loved. He came out and ran water for the boys that went on to win a Premiership.
From there Sheepy has continued to be our clubs water runner every year, for mens, womens, junior boys, and junior girls. Until 2023, Jono was living in Seacliff so he was making the drive to Heathfield 5-7 days per week to make trainings and games for his beloved Devils over the 11 year period. There are not many Premiership photos on the wall in this period that do not feature Jonathan, highlighting his passion for his beloved Devils.
In 2017 Jono was awarded the Mt Lofty District Football Club Frank Clements Club Person of the Year Award
In 2019, he was awarded the Adelaide Football Womens League Volunteer of the Year Award.
We are proud to announce Jonathan “Sheepdog” Jaensch a 2023 Mt Lofty District Football Club Life Member
BARB EVANS | MT LOFTY DISTRICT FOOTBALL CLUB
Unfortunately Barb was feeling a little under the weather on the day, her son David was there in great spirits to accept her award and share some great memories.
Barb Evans is a pillar of our Mt Lofty Football Club community and we’re thrilled to formally recognise Barb’s unwavering dedication and tireless contributions to our club.
For decades, Barb was the driving force behind many essential activities that kept our club thriving. Barb established, managed and spent many hours working in our canteen, ordering the stock, picking up orders, arriving early on game day to get the pie warmers going and packing up after the games.
Her attention to detail extended to managing the club kitchen, where she prepared meals for our players and supporters, leaving no stomach empty and no dish unwashed.
Barb also catered for many major club events and managed external bookings for our clubrooms, welcoming organisations such as Apex, Rotary and Council with the same warmth and efficiency. Barb even once catered for the South Australian Governor!
In addition to her culinary prowess, Barb’s generosity extended to providing transport for players, washing jumpers, and sewing on numbers.
We thank Barb for everything she has done over many years and welcome her as a 2023 Mt Lofty District Football Club Life Member.
BOB BLOWS | STIRLING FOOTBALL CLUB
Whilst Bob was feeling a little under the weather on the day, his grandson Paul was there to accept his award with great delight in front of other family members that joined us for the day.
In the late 1950’s there are recollections of by young kids watching Bob run around as a Full Forward for one of our Heritage Clubs Stirling FC, kicking many goals per match.
Sadly the statists of that era have been lost, but the memories certainly have not.
It was brought to the attention of Mt Lofty District Football Club Life Member Committee in 2023, that on the final meeting of Stirling Football Club, on Sunday December 3rd 1978, a number of Life Membership Certificates were handed out, but sadly there was no honour board for which to display the recipients.Bob, was not photographed receiving a certificate, however neither was another mate Max, who is mentioned on the honour board. This has long been thought of as an administrative oversight.With strong recommendations for Bob to receive life membership for Stirling Football Club and much robust discussion around if Mt Lofty Football Club can in fact right this wrong, and award life membership for a heritage club, we are very excited to announce the induction of Bob Blows as a Stirling Football Club Life Member for 2023.Bob’s name has been added to the Heritage Club Life member board in the Foyer.
