2022 SAFC AGM - Life Memberships and Service Merit Certificates

15 December 2022

South Adelaide induct two life members at the 2022 Annual General Meeting.

On Monday night at the clubs Annual General Meeting, the South Adelaide Football Club celebrated the life member inductees for 2022, Jim Wheeler and Lachlan Wilson.

Jim Wheeler

Jim Wheeler was the first inductee for the night, and has held many positions within the football club over the last 20 years.

Having received his 10-year Service Merit Certificate in 2010, Jim has held positions as the Auskick Area Manager, Property Steward for both the Juniors and Seniors, Junior Game Day BBQ, volunteers with the Panther Club including helping with restocking the canteen and assisting SAFC maintenance staff.

"Jimmy is a great example of what football clubs are all about," said South Adelaide CEO Neill Sharpe.
"He just does his job and goes about it quietly and keeps turning up."

After accepting his Life Membership, Jim Wheeler talked about the immense pride he feels being part of the Football Club.

"It's a great club, the people and the players are great."
"The players are the salt of the earth. You can see how disappointed they are when they can't get a win, but bugger me the next training night they all turn up, they train their hearts out, they get out there the next game day and give it another bash."
"It fills you with pride when you can see what the game means to the boys, and now the girls."
"Thank you Neill, The Board and Maxine (McPherson) for this honour."

**South Adelaide Life Membership inductee Jim Wheeler (left) is presented with his Life Membership certificate from South Adelaide Chair Margaret Nyland AM (right). Image: SAFC Media**

Lachlan Wilson

The second Life Membership inductee of the night was Lachlan Wilson who has held many positions within the football club.

Lachlan began in 1980 as part of the Youth Squads volunteering as a Gatekeeper, Scoreboard Attendant and Timekeeper until 1986.

After a small break, Lachlan returned to the club that has been a huge part of his family, in 1998 as a runner for the Under-19s, before taking the next step as a statistician and fill in timekeeper for the Reserves in 1999 and 2000.

In 2001 he returned to the Junior program as a coordinator for the Under-17s and Under-19s.

In 2003 Lachlan became a timekeeper for the Juniors and Reserves, something he did until 2009.

In 2010 he returned full time to the Senior program as back up timekeeper before becoming the Reserves timekeeper full time in 2012 until the present day.

With the addition of the Women's Program, Lachlan has also been the full time timekeeper since 2018.

Amongst these official roles, Lachlan has had stints as a water runner and fill in property steward for the Senior side.

"Lachie has been involved with our Football Club for a very long period of time," said South Adelaide CEO Neill Sharpe.
"On any Saturday if you come and watch the League team, if Lachie is not Reserves timekeeping, you'll see him out on the field running water or helping out."
"Lachie has been a terrific servant of our football club, and we congratulate him on being elected as a Life Member."

Lachlan touched on what the club means to him when accepting his Life Membership.

"Thank you for the nomination and thank you to the board for accepting."
"It means a lot to me to be involved over many many years."
"To follow in dad's (John Wilson, made a Life Member in 1992) footsteps, just shows the value of the club, how it's a family club, and it's had me for life."
"My eldest daughter was out running water at one stage as well, so that's three generations that have been involved."
"I urge everyone to keep supporting, and do what you can for the club, it's a great club."