Life Membership is awarded to those people who have made a significant contribution to the Association over a number of years
Greg has been a long standing member of the MENA community having started coaching with St James.
It wasn’t long before people saw his leadership qualities and he joined the St James Committee, in various roles including Vice President and President.
While Greg continued to coach for both St James and for the MENA representative program he also joined the Association Committee. For 5 years he served as the Vice President and the chair of the Club Comp Standing committee.
Across MENA Greg has had many roles, he’s been on the grading committee, he’s been a MENA representative for St James, MENA Rep coach and Vice President.
Greg has helped MENA oversee the transition to the stadium the change in governance structure the development of the strategic plan. He reminds us all the time the most important role of all, making sure that netball gets played every week. When an issue arising his level head and calm attitude will be missed by all of us around MENA. But he’s not leaving fully. He’s still coaching in our representative team and has said he will always be available for a chat or ask a question.
Thank you Greg for all your commitment and support to MENA over the past 10 years and while you have stepped down from our Board we acknowledge you and present you with Life Membership!
Presented 2022 in recognition of the invaluable contribution, Kylie has made to the association, demonstrated ongoing commitment, and bought the MENA values to life through everything she has done. Including being instrumental in gaining funding for the Stadium, being a powerhouse with everything she put her mind to whether that be policy writing, baking 150 cupcakes for Blue or Pink Day, or running committee meetings. Kylie’s ability to connect easily with everyone involved whether it be a brand new 7-year-old who had just started playing to a federal politician is inspiring
She joins a valuable group and a very select group of MENA Life Members. Congratulations and thank you, Kylie.
Kylie first entered the MENA community through the Southwood Netball club where her two girls were players. Kylie joined the MENA Committee in 2008 and became Secretary in 2009 and President in 2010 where she remained until June 2021. Anyone who knows Kylie knows once she puts her mind to something she finds a way to make things happen.
As president Kylie was instrumental in gaining funding for the Stadium from Federal and Local Governments so much so that we have joked about naming rights.
She moved MENA from a purely volunteer-run organisation to now employing staff. She worked tirelessly behind the scenes running committee meetings, reviewing policy and papers, and baking more than 150 cupcakes for Pink and Blue Day. Kylie is and will always be Mrs. MENA!!! People know she is at the courts by just hearing her laugh!!!
Kylie’s ability to connect easily with everyone involved whether it be a brand new 7-year-old who had just started playing to a federal politician is inspiring and while Kylie isn’t actively on our MENA committee presently, she is always available for a chat whether about netball or something else.
Jan Tacey recalled that Kylie had a vision for netball in the eastern suburbs and has worked tirelessly to put things in place and she feels she has exceeded what she set out to do. I think we would all agree with that.
Like many others Jan also commented that she had never met anyone like Kylie – she was a dog with a bone when she sets her mind to something she goes after it. The Stadium we see ourselves enjoying today. Kylie was going to get this stadium for the players come hell or high water.
Kylie has said herself that she couldn’t have achieved everything she has at MENA without her family so we would also like to extend our thanks to Mal, Caitlyn, and Amy for sharing your wife and mum with MENA for many years.
MENA highly values and appreciates all that Kylie has contributed to our Association and sincerely thanks her for everything she has done.
Kylie joins a select group of MENA people. Thank you Kylie for your dedication to MENA as the President and congratulations to Kylie for being presented with Life Membership of our Association.
Marian Fitzpatrick
Presented: 2017 Associated Club(s): Bayswater Uniting
Ann Fraser
In 1990 Ann joined as a general committee member. 1991 saw Ann take on the role of Minute Secretary and then in 1992 she became President. She then took on the role of Registrar for 1993 and 1994 and then continued on general committee until 1998. Ann was always willing to take on any role and roll up her sleeves and get on with it. Ann continued to support MENA and Netball throughout our area and ensured that women’s sport has a voice on council. We sincerely thank Ann for her contribution to Melbourne East Netball Association. Presented: 2014 Associated Club(s): Our Lady's Netball Club
Steve Atkins
Steve came onto the committee in 2001 as a general committee member and continued in 2002 in this role. In 2003 he took on the Minute Secretary role and from 2004 – 2007 he was the Secretary of the Association. In 2008 and 2009 Steve became President and then in 2010 Secretary again. During his time MENA moved from a paper based competition to a computerised system initially through our own spreadsheets and then Steve organised us to be a trial association through Sporting Pulse. He moved the Association forward and continued to foster growth and develop within, while further enhancing its professionalism. Statistical analysis has always been one of Steve's strengths, and that then came to be strength of the association, through grading systems and the administration frameworks he introduced. We sincerely thank Steve for his contribution to Melbourne East Netball Association. Presented: 2014 Associated Club(s): Rangeview Netball Club
Jenny Roberts
Jenny was nominated for committee by the Park Orchards Netball Club for the position on General Committee in 1999. Jenny then moved into the position of Results Secretary at the AGM for the 2001-2 period. Jenny held this position until finishing on the committee in 2007. Jenny also worked as the Saturday competition timekeeper. Jenny also assisted the association as the Hearings Officer. Presented: 2009 Associated Club(s): Park Orchards Netball Club
Dianne Kennedy
Di has been a tireless worker of the Melbourne East Netball Association Representative program. Di was nominated for committee by Park Orchards Netball Club for the position of Representative Team Convener in 1998. Di held this position into the AGM in October 2007. As the Representative Team Convener, Di organized selections, team applications to competitions and tournaments, uniforms, travel and accommodation, coaching personnel and was instrumental in establishing the aims and objectives of the Representative Team program. Presented: 2009 Associated Club(s): Park Orchards Netball Club
Loretta York
Loretta was nominated for committee by the Holy Spirit Netball Club for the position of Registrar in 1999. Loretta took on the position of Vice President at the AGM for the 2001-2 period. During this year the President of the Association had to resign due to personal reasons and Loretta stepped into the role. Loretta held the position of President until the 2006 AGM where she then moved into a position as a General Committee person. Loretta was a valued member of the Melbourne East Netball Association committee because of her dedication, clear headedness and vision for the future of netball. Presented: 2009 Associated Club(s): Holy Spirit Netball Club
Greg Toomey
Presented: 2003 Associated Club(s): Holy Spirit Netball Club
Janice Tacey
Presented: 2003 Associated Club(s): Kalinda Netball Club.
Lindsay Summers
Presented: 2003 Associated Club(s): Norwood Heights Netball Club
Anne Gibson
Presented: 2003 Associated Club(s): Park Orchards Netball Club
Kerry Baird
Presented: 2003 Associated Club(s): Ringwood North Netball Club
Dawn Seedy
Dawn took on the role of Grade Secretary of Melbourne East Netball Association from 1974 to 1978 and 1985 to 1997. She also held the position of Treasurer of MENA from 1979 to 1981 and President from 1982 to 1984. Dawn was a MENA Carnival Team Manager in 1985( Juniors to Adelaide), 1986 (Intermediate at Knox), 1988(Juniors to Adelaide), 1989(Reserves at Waverley) and 1990(Open Reserves at Vic. Churches). Dawn was on the Southwood Committee as Umpires Coach and a qualified Umpire Tester for Melbourne East Netball Association. Dawn was awarded Life Membership of Southwood Netball Club in 1987 and Life Membership of Melbourne East Netball Association in 1997. Dawn has the Perpetual Shield for 15U Section 1 named in her honour. Presented: 1997 Associated Club(s): Southwood Netball Club
Irene Wilkins
Associated Club(s): Nunawading Netball Club A former Vice President of MENA, member of the HE Parker Reserve Committee and past President of Nunawading Netball Club where she also played, umpired and coached. Irene is also a Life Member of Nunawading Netball Club. A passionate supporter of our Association Irene could be seen most Saturday’s in our Canteen and has the MENA 13U Section 1 Perpetual Shield named after her.
Joan Lang
Presented: 1957 Associated Club(s): Mullum Netball Club
Beverley Frost
Presented: 1957 Associated Club(s): South Croydon Youth Club