The Essendon Football Club is mourning the sad passing of former club chairman Graeme McMahon who lost his brave battle with pancreatic cancer today.
McMahon, 74, was chairman of the club from 1996 to 2003, an era of great success for the Bombers.
Current chairman Paul Little extended his deepest sympathies to the entire McMahon family.
“As a club we are extremely saddened by the passing of Graeme, an Essendon man through and through,” Little said.
“The Essendon family extends its deepest condolences to Graeme’s wife Gleneys, their sons Brett and Brad and the entire McMahon family.”
“Graeme was a fantastic husband, father and businessman and he left a tremendous legacy as chairman of the Essendon Football Club.”
“Graeme was a person of integrity and his energetic approach enabled the club to become a powerhouse both on and off the field.”
Under McMahon’s chairmanship Essendon played in the 1999 preliminary final, won the 2000 premiership and made the 2001 grand final. McMahon also oversaw the move of home games from the MCG to the newly-built Colonial Stadium (now Etihad) in 2000.
Off-field the club became a powerhouse of the competition; stable, financially secure and well managed. In McMahon’s last year, 2003, the club was debt-free and recorded an operating profit of more than $5 million. He led the club’s racial vilification reforms, the promotion of women in football and the club’s pacesetting in appointing specialist coaches.
Graeme was respected across the football club for his warm personality and caring nature.
McMahon assumed the role of chairman after 40 years as general manager and chief executive of Ansett Airlines.
McMahon was born in Essendon, went to school in Essendon, was married in Essendon, lived in Essendon, worked in Essendon and had played football for Essendon. He was Essendon through and through.
As a mark of respect Essendon players and officials will wear black armbands against Port Adelaide on Saturday night.
Details of Graeme’s funeral will be communicated in the coming days.
