The Hawthorn Football Club first awarded Honorary Life Membership in 1924.

The award was introduced to recognise the outstanding contribution of those players who had played more than 10 years or 150 games with the Club, and also to those officials, support staff, trainers and administrators who had given exceptional service.

It was regarded as the highest honour that the Club could bestow upon an individual. The first recipients in 1924 were eight stalwarts from our early years in the Metropolitan Junior Football Association (1902-1913) and the Victorian Football Association (1914-1924) prior to the Club joining the Victorian Football League in 1925.

Our first eight Life Members were; J W Kennon, G W A Owen, William H Hulse, R Bell, F Pritchard, J L Grant, Dr Frank Keane and Robert Henry Field.

  Recap of the 2017 Annual Life Members Lunch

  Jack McLeod at 91 years is the Hawks oldest Life Member

To read about Hawthorn's oldest Life Member, Jack McLeod, click here.

Criteria for Life Membership 

The Constitution currently provides for Life Membership to be granted to Directors with 9 years’ or any player who has completed 10 years’ service with the Club or 150 senior games with the Club. The Directors may each year, at their discretion, elect not more than 2 Life Members, whom they consider entitled by reasons of special services rendered to the Club.

Download the 2016 Life Members Committee Charter. 

Collection of medallions awarded to Life Members.

Life members from 1924

The 2016 Life Members Committee.

*Deceased

Our Newest Life Members

Hawthorn Football Club was proud to announce three new Life Members during the 2016 Annual General Meeting, held December 8 at the Hawthorn Arts Centre (formerly the Hawthorn Town Hall).

Former Club President, Andrew Newbold was awarded Life Membership for his service to Hawthorn during 13 years as Board member, 2003-16, and as President, 2011-2016.  During this time, Newbold oversaw great success for the Club, both on and off the field.  As member of the Board, he was instrumental in Hawthorn’s move to Waverley.  As President, Newbold was at the helm during an era of four successive Grand Final appearances, including three consecutive Premierships 2013-15.  His leadership helped the Club manage solid financial results.

Paul Abbott was twice a Premiership player, playing in the 1986 and 1988 sides.  His time in the Hawthorn Seniors may have spanned only 85 games, cruelled by injury, but his playing service to the Club was immense.  Abbott started his Hawthorn career in the Under 19s, where he played 11 games.  He moved on to play a remarkable 124 games in the Reserves.  The versatile ruckman and key position player saved his finest performance for the 1988 Grand Final, when he kicked six goals in Hawthorn’s Premiership win.  A badly broken leg meant a lengthy time on the sidelines, missing the entire 1990 season.  His Hawthorn playing days ended in 1991.

Shaun Burgoyne’s Hawthorn career has been stellar.  He came to the Club in 2009 following 157 games and a Premiership with Port Adelaide.  Burgoyne’s silky skills and calm demeaner has seen him play 170 Senior games and kick 91 goals for the Hawks.  He has been an important part of four successive Grand Final appearances, including three Premierships in a row, 2013-15.  Shaun Burgoyne placed third in the Peter Crimmins Medal in 2016.