Peter Gordon was elected as President of the Western Bulldogs Football Club at the Club’s Annual General Meeting on Thursday night.
Gordon was appointed as President by the Bulldogs Board after he was elected unopposed to the Board by the members in attendance at the meeting.
The appointment was made after David Smorgon stood down as President after 16 years in the role.
Incoming President Peter Gordon told attending Members it was remarkable to be able to return to the professional, vibrant Club we know today.
“We couldn’t have got to this sort of standard, this sort of facility, this sort of organisation, this sort of membership, this sort of credibility and reputation in the competition, which is one of the elite sporting competitions in the world without the drive and the ambition and the professionalism and passion and the acumen and the intelligence and the care for the ordinary members that has always been David Smorgon’s approach to this club”, Gordon said.
In an emotional evening – David thanked the Members, his family and the Club, and paid tribute to the red, white and blue.
“It’s been an honour, a real privilege to serve as your President for the last 16 years I have loved every one of the 5,868 days,” Smorgon said.
“Together as the Board we’ve always had one policy that is at the top of the list – what is in the best interest of the Western Bulldogs Football Club. Fundamentally that is the only question a Board has to ask.
“We’ve never wavered from that basic premise.
“The red, white and blue colours will always be flying in the Smorgon family household – it started with my dad, to me and through to my grandchildren.
“The journey for the Bulldogs will continue to be exciting and I am confident that we are all going to share in the ride because we’ve got to stick together and by working as a team we are going to succeed.
“My ride with the Bulldogs is going to continue, I won’t be leading but I am going to be sitting alongside you together with my children and my grandchildren as a committed Bulldog through and through.”
Current Board Director, Susan Alberti will replace outgoing Vice President, Ian Veal, who retired from the Board last night.
Bulldog players Ryan Griffen and Will Minson were also honoured with Life Membership last night along with committed club staff members Rachel Murphy, Jarred Hanks and Shane Pilkington and Club Chaplain, John Van Groningen.
The Club would like to take the opportunity to sincerely thank David for his passion, dedication and overwhelming commitment to the Western Bulldogs Football Club.
There is no doubt that red, white and blue runs through David's veins and the Club will be forever indebted to him for his tireless contribution to the Bulldogs.
During David’s Presidency, he has overseen a critical period of development for the Club only made possible by the leadership and stability he brought to the role.
Some of the achievements delivered during his tenure include:
• The $31 million redevelopment of Whitten Oval resulting in leading community, commercial and elite facilities
• Changing the Club’s name to the Western Bulldogs – reflecting the Club’s strategic direction to Win the West and capitalise on the growth of the Western Region of Melbourne – the Bulldogs Heartland.
• Secured the Bulldogs reputation as the Community Club of AFL
• The Club’s 2010 NAB Cup victory
The Club wishes David, his wife Kathie, and all of his family, the very best and we look forward to continuing to see him at the Kennel, and importantly, at the football.
