Dear members,
 
Preparations are continuing for next year.

Changes to the coaching staff, two good picks during trade week with David Hale from North Melbourne and Kyle Cheney joining us from Melbourne.

Now I wish to announce that Richard Garvey has been invited, and has accepted, our invitation to join the Board of Hawthorn Football Club.

As you know the Club's Constitution states that no Board member can serve more than three, three-year terms, and a President no more than two terms.

That means at the end of next year our senior Board member Bruce Growcott will not be eligible for re-election, nor will I as your President.

We have asked Richard to join the Board now as his accounting skills will replace those that Bruce brings to the table, and gives Richard a year in which to work with Bruce on the many financial issues within the Club and its commercial developments.

Fortunately Richard was KPMG's audit partner for the Club from 1998 until 2007, so he has a fair idea of our circumstances. Richard has 34 years accounting experience and the last 22 as a partner of KPMG so he comes to the Club very well qualified.

It has always been our intention to have a highly qualified Board given the demands of running a successful Club.

Richard is a long time Essendon supporter, but has become a Hawthorn member to qualify as a Hawthorn Football Club Board member. As you would expect, we have invited Richard to join us for his outstanding skills - and not which team he has until now supported.

Fortunately his son Paul is a dyed-in-the-wool gold and brown supporter.

Richard will stand for election at the December Annual General Meeting and I highly recommend his candicacy to you. I know you will welcome him to the Board and the Hawthorn Family.

My successor as President will be identified closer to the end of my term next year, but all indications are that that person will come from the existing Board.

So we keep working for success. and will report again within three weeks on the outcome of our discussions with Tasmania.

Stay well.

Jeff Kennett
President


Richard Garvey has been invited, and has accepted, our invitation to join the Board of Hawthorn Football Club.