Richmond Football Club is now seeking nominations for the Alice Wills Award.
The award honours outstanding dedication and commitment of 10 years or more, by a volunteer of the Richmond Football Club.
Volunteers have been vital to the off-field success of the Tigers since its formation in 1885 and the Alice Wills Award pays tribute to those who have made outstanding contributions to the Club in a voluntary capacity.
Libby Callanan was the recipient of last year’s award, for her tireless dedication to the Ballarat & District Tigers Supporter Group.
The group’s bus coordinator for the past 14 years, Libby manages travel bookings to all Richmond home games, blockbuster Victorian away games, Melbourne finals and the occasional interstate trip.
Libby always conducts herself cheerfully and professionally and she has the total trust and respect of all their members.
The award is named after Alice Wills, who was a volunteer with the Richmond Football Club for more than 50 years.
She formed the Richmond Cheer Squad in 1959 and a few years later established the Supporters’ Group, which was an organisation that helped the Club with fundraising and players’ sponsorship.
In 1990, with Richmond facing extinction, due to a dire financial crisis, it was Alice Wills who successfully rallied the troops during the famous Save Our Skins campaign.
Alice managed volunteers, letter mail-outs and collection tins all to raise much needed funds for the campaign.
In 1988, Alice’s remarkable contributions at Tigerland were officially recognised, when she was awarded Life Membership of the Club.
In 2002, Alice was further honoured by the Club, being one of the inaugural inductees into Richmond’s Hall of Fame. To this day, she is the only female Hall of Fame inductee in the Tigers’ history.
In 2008, when the Club celebrated its league football centenary, Alice was named as one of the Tigers’ all-time top 10 servants.
Alice worked tirelessly in the background for her beloved Tigers never seeking personal accolades or publicity. Her commitment to the Club is inspirational and we are proud to dedicate this award to her.
Nominations for the 2018 Alice Wills Award close on Sunday, May 20.
To nominate a volunteer of the Richmond Football Club for the award, click here.
