Janet Dooley does it for the love of footy and her community. 70856 Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT
By Vanessa Chircop
FOR 58 years Janet Dooley has been volunteering her time at the Williamstown Football Club.
Starting when she was just 15, Janet said her family had always followed Williamstown in the VFL and her uncle, Larry Floyd (who the club’s grandstand is named after) was the secretary of the club.
Throughout her many years, Janet has been responsible for running the kiosk, ordering, bookkeeping and banking for the club – she even held the role of Ladies Committee Secretary from 1973 to 1988.
Earlier this month at the Liston Medal Trophy Night at Etihad Stadium, the VFL awarded Janet with the Alec Gillon Award for her many years of service to Williamstown.
Janet said she was nervous but excited to receive the award and it’s hanging in her Point Cook home.
“It’s nice to be recognised,” she said.
“It shows they’re appreciating what we do.”
For Janet, volunteering at the club is a family affair.
Growing up in Newport she spent much of her time at the club with her family supporting her local team.
And though Carlton is this footy lovers AFL team, she confesses she rarely goes to see them play.
“I’m always in Williamstown,” she said.
Janet believes keeping the local VFL teams going is important to the community.
“You take your kids and they go out on the ground and kick a footy – you can’t do that in the AFL,” she said.
“(VFL) is more personal.”
The 72-year-old said she’s stayed on for so many years for her love of the club and attributes her success to her husband Rex, who is also a life member and volunteer.
