Kylie Watson-Wheeler has officially been elected as the Western Bulldogs’ newest President.
Watson-Wheeler, who has served as the Club’s Vice-President for the last four years, was unanimously voted in by the Bulldogs’ directors at a board meeting on Monday, prior to the 2020 Annual General Meeting.
Earlier this month, Gordon announced that he would step down as the Club’s President after two extraordinary stints, from 1989 to 1996, and again from 2012.
His last official duty was to chair the virtual AGM, which capped off another strong off-field performance for the Bulldogs in 2020.
Watson-Wheeler, a lifelong Bulldogs supporter, is the Senior Vice President & Managing Director of the Walt Disney Company Australia and New Zealand, leading one of the largest media and entertainment companies in ANZ.
“It’s an absolute honour to succeed Peter Gordon as the President of our beloved club, and I’m grateful for the support of Peter, the entire board and the Club’s leadership,” Watson-Wheeler said.
“During my past seven years on the Board, there’s no question under Peter’s leadership our club has evolved in ways that many of us long-standing supporters could never have possibly imagined.
“It’s not lost on me that I follow two of the most impressive and influential figures in our club’s history.
“It was David Smorgon who first sought out my expertise to support the Club and Peter who appointed me to the board, later anointing me as his Vice-President and ultimately recommending me as his successor.
“It’s certainly exciting times ahead and I couldn’t be more humbled and thrilled to be a part of it.”
At the 2020 AGM, Bulldogs Directors Chris Nolan and Jerril Rechter were appointed for another three-year term.
The Club also announced its latest life members, including long-term player sponsors Roy and Jan Pearce, former statistician and volunteer Robert Baker, 10-year Bulldogs employees Nick Truelson, Jo Parr and Harjit Sangar, and 10-year employee at the Peninsula Club, Wendy Faure.
Five Bulldogs players will also be awarded life membership at the 2021 Season Launch for reaching 150 games or 10 years at the Club, including Jackson Macrae, Mitch Wallis, Tom Liberatore and Jason Johannisen, and Tory Dickson became a life member as a retired premiership player.
