News

Flight Plan donations hit $300,000

Tuesday, 4 October 2011
Staff writers for essendonfc.com.au
Page 1 of 1

Essendon’s Flight Plan fundraising initiative for the club’s new facility at Melbourne Airport has surpassed the $300,000 milestone, with the official donations barometer hitting $302,827 today.

A total of 951 donors have contributed to the project since the Flight Plan was launched eight weeks ago, with an average donation amount of $289.

Become a project donor today. Click here to contribute to Essendon's Flight Plan campaign.

Essendon Chairman David Evans has urged fans thinking about making a donation not to delay any longer.

“Although this is less than what we had hoped for at this time, it is a substantial amount of money and the club is extremely grateful,” Evans said.

“Now we need more donors and everyone in the Essendon family to dig deep and make a contribution as soon as possible to ensure we can get the ovals built in time for next pre-season.”

A 3D model of the new facility will be on display at the Crichton Medal on Friday night.

Become a project donor today. Click here to contribute to Essendon's Flight Plan campaign.

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Hmmmm, FlightPlan 951... I hope this one doesn't go up/down in flames. Always a bit of a danger to say, 'We want $XXX from you'. Is it my imagination or do Aussies, generous as they are, not necessarily like to be told HOW generous they have to be?? But this is our future success, here, supporters. There are a lot of us out there and even a little bit would help. If everyone reading this site (who hasn't already contributed) rounded up two non-reading Bomber fans and each put in some cash....

- Kris Bayne (posted 5/10/2011 10:24:02 AM)

A friend and I donated late August/early September. Just wondering when we will receive the acknowledgement letters and pins?

- Rita Sharrock (posted 5/10/2011 10:32:06 AM)

A rich AFL club begging from its members? Maybe Toll could throw in a buck or two!

- Daniel MURPHY (posted 5/10/2011 11:10:46 AM)

How come the members never get a say on whats going on with the club, i'm sure they could have come to some sort of arrangement with the bowls club - sounds like they didn't try to hard to me. The board also moved us away from the MCG (Big mistake)and now our traing will be out on the edge of the sticks, and they wonder why they are not getting the support they expected. David Evans you need to consult with your members and you need to get us back to the 'G'

- Gavin Ford (posted 5/10/2011 11:11:18 AM)

Wonder which name will go up on the board... Marg/Robert/Margarobert/Dickson/Davies/Bobby/Fizz/Dazzler/Worthington/Lon Chaney Snr/Biggen/Martin/Rendevski/Marby Dicvies/bob... and whether they REALLY are a member...

- Noel Shields (posted 5/10/2011 12:00:04 PM)

Rita, we have been waiting for the lapel pin production - we have them now. The letter and pins will be sent in the coming week. Thanks for your support.

- Essendon Insider (posted 5/10/2011 12:43:42 PM)

This is a crucial project, which when complete, will almost certainly result in better on field performances by our team, which will then improve the financial performance of the club. Nobody expects people to donate more than they can afford, and I am definitely not rolling in money, but if every member gave the amount that I did, then our club would already have the money it needs from supporters for this essential new facility.

- Gordon Moss snr (posted 5/10/2011 12:48:41 PM)

Add a $10 levy on all memberships - that will get you the money needed from all of us ! There is an economic down turn world wide - so some will be cautious, and rightly so. We do what we can to support our club .

- Mary Tovey (posted 5/10/2011 12:52:22 PM)

May sure you put the option to add a donation in when we renew our memberships (I think a lot of people will at least bump it up to a round figure or something). It's not that the fans don't want to donate, it's just getting them into a position where it is very very easy to do so.

- Callum Reid (posted 5/10/2011 1:04:56 PM)

Congrats again everyone. I was a bit worried that the tally hadnt crossed the $300,000 mark and was going to donate the $5000 on Friday night just to top it over. I think the club did the right thing by not upping our memberships to cover the new facility. We need people to want to donate money and I understand a lot of people may not be in the position to at this point in time. A few years ago I wouldnt have been in the financial position to donate $5. but every little bit does count :)

- Samantha Whitelaw (posted 5/10/2011 1:34:39 PM)

can't wait to see the model Friday night :)

- Samantha Whitelaw (posted 5/10/2011 1:35:00 PM)

Mary, I think that the levy option on memberships would work. I have already donated, but would not have a problem with adding another $20 or whatever bucks to my membership when it comes. Still, there are plenty of other ways to skin a cat (and I don't mean hiring their coaching staff).

- Wesley Hull (posted 5/10/2011 1:39:11 PM)

Mary Tovey - While I like your thinking a $10 levy will not do the job. It will only generate half a million. I have made a donation but would be happy to have a levy slapped on to my membership. Not sure if all wlould be happy about it. My guess would be not as at this stage we have only 951 contributors. That thermometer is moving upwards like a snail. Very sad.

- Alan De Menezes (posted 5/10/2011 1:58:40 PM)

- Noel Shields (posted 5/10/2011 12:00:04 PM) you've forgotten me!

- al Catraz (posted 5/10/2011 2:00:16 PM)

Daniel the club is not begging. It is actually giving us the opportunity to be a part of this Mighty Club. They will find the money if they have to but would you not go to the facility with pride if you knew you had contributed in even a small way. I know I would.

- Alan De Menezes (posted 5/10/2011 2:02:22 PM)

I'll donate when i know what the directors are putting into it.

- Tim Dowling (posted 5/10/2011 2:03:42 PM)

Gavin F, 'some sort of arrangement' would probably have involved compromising the initial facilities and being limited in the future each time we wanted to expand. The emotional response was 'stay at Windy Hill', but in reality it does not make good business sense, and as much as we may not like it, EFC and AFL is a business and we are in the business to succeed. We have a clean slate at the airport site and the only way is up. Would you have preferred Seaford?

- Kris Bayne (posted 5/10/2011 2:03:48 PM)

EI - a question/idea about the 'goodies' we get as part of our membership... They cost money, right? I guess the club budgets for a certain number, but how about (he says naively) if we can check a box on 2012 (2013?) membership say we do NOT want the goodies and want whatever they cost go to the Flight Plan fund? I'd be happy with a couple of stickers...

- Kris Bayne (posted 5/10/2011 2:14:27 PM)

Kris, they were negotiating with the bowls club at one stage, and also did a deal with the cricket club i beieve, and i'm sure for 30mil or so they could have had a great facility at Windy Hill, but it sounds like to me that someone got their nose out of joint and walked away without any consultation with the members. Collingwood have moved everything closer to the MCG including their home games and look at the members and support they have now. For mine the Bombers are getting to far away from the CBD. Only kangaroos on the other side of Tulla.

- Gavin Ford (posted 5/10/2011 2:49:32 PM)

Donations can be classified by four catagories, according to spousal reaction. A) That's good, dear! B) Uh Huh! C) Really? and D) You did WHAT?? Mine is probably catagory D, but worth every cent. (Please don't tell her!!)

- Wesley Hull (posted 5/10/2011 2:56:17 PM)

To be honest Kris, I think some supporters are still dirty on the club for the financial screw up with Knights???

- David Husk (posted 5/10/2011 3:41:19 PM)

Gavin, I think the 'what' and 'when' and 'how much more' about the facilities is more important than the 'where'. I know the area around Windy Hill pretty well and I always had trouble visualizing how they would deal with the physical restraints of the suburb itself. No such problem at Melrose Drive. They had the cricket club agreeing to move but there were elements in the bowls club that were not responsive to what we needed, and as I said, we would have ended up cutting back and taking up precious the time to do it. We'll get used to it, especially when they have to install new flag poles!

- Kris Bayne (posted 5/10/2011 3:42:43 PM)

951 donations represents less than 2% of overall members - you must be kidding! Come on "Essendon family" get serious about our future!

- Phil Pynor (posted 5/10/2011 3:46:15 PM)

I only hope Dave,there won't be a repeat if things turn awful with the current set up...Impatience with results or lack of will bring many undone.. We all gotta stick!! :-)

- Noel Shields (posted 5/10/2011 5:13:10 PM)

Dave H, sort of robbing Peter 'cause he paid Paul... Same people probably would feel the same way if MK was still coach. We need to move on and improve.

- Kris Bayne (posted 5/10/2011 6:54:55 PM)

Two words. Skilled stadium. Look at the huge advantage Geelong have of training on their very own home ground. Interstate clubs are becoming too familiar with Etihad and we still struggle on their grounds that we only play once or twice a year. We need to develop our own ground that seats 50,000 and bring back some old school home ground advantage. This issue should be addressed before proceding in my book.

- Josh Byrne (posted 5/10/2011 7:18:22 PM)

Frankly, Kris, from where I live, I would have loved Seaford. Or Cranbourne.

- alec shiffman (posted 5/10/2011 7:53:17 PM)

i live straight across the road from our new complex and i think this will be great , and i shall give a few dollars, not only that but it will bring my home 'UP in value so everybody wins.. GO BOMBERS

- Darren Pigott (posted 5/10/2011 10:33:51 PM)

I'm with you Alec. Move to the peninsula. We have a new freeway going in. Ready in time for 2013 and Joe Daniher! Actually, let's go to Mornington, and we can all keep an eye on Hibbo.

- Brad Scarr (posted 5/10/2011 10:44:50 PM)

This is so very important, friends. If you haven't yet, please give some of what you have to the Club which brings you so much pleasure throughout the year. Angie :)

- Angeline Baron (posted 6/10/2011 12:34:12 AM)

Can't wait to read your book Josh.

- Bill Carbis (posted 6/10/2011 11:06:00 AM)

And its treatment of Sheedy, David. That was my point about Toll, Tim. If I stay a member I will not pay a levy!

- Daniel MURPHY (posted 6/10/2011 11:50:00 AM)

Oh please Daniel. Sheeds had the run of the place in the end and we were going backwards fast. Was very diplomatic in comparison. Sensitive subject on the forum so I will quit there.

- Brad Scarr (posted 6/10/2011 12:35:31 PM)

Alan we have 50,000 plus members, Add a levy of $10 on each one ---- It's a cheaper way of getting the funds needed and not disadvantaging pensioners (like moi) and others with families etc. We all win.It could be promoted under a "Share the Load"type of marketing.

- Mary Tovey (posted 6/10/2011 4:23:24 PM)

Can I on-sell the 'goodies' in my membership package on eBay for further donation without being fined?

- Kris Bayne (posted 6/10/2011 8:14:04 PM)

Everything will be fine Kris,until you step off the plane and someone spots the wanted poster, AFL distributed, two weeks after the auction/buy it now option ended.. the delay caused due to the investigation having to take place first,which by the way was announced as a "sweetener" straight after another Andy and Ando pay rise... File that in your useless info file :-)

- Noel Shields (posted 7/10/2011 12:25:38 AM)

No levy. We already pay higher for a base membership than most other clubs about $15 more than Collingwish. Maybe people are waiting for the board to demonstrate their financial management credentials after last years $1.5m loss and then members might have confidence to donate. Looking forward to this years profit result.

- Ross Jones (posted 7/10/2011 9:07:08 AM)

I am glad to say both my husband and I donated.It may not be a lot as we are pensioner but we think that if you are a member you should help out with what you can!

- Lorrie Bishop (posted 11/10/2011 6:05:22 PM)