As the Western Bulldogs, defending AFL premiers, count down to Friday night’s season opener against Collingwood, an instrumental figure in the club’s history is being celebrated for her tireless work in the west.
Former Bulldogs vice-president Susan Alberti and long-time philanthropist is one of 10 women featured in the Her Place: Women in the West exhibition in Footscray.
“I’m very honoured to be a part of this – my heart has always been in the west of Melbourne,” she said.
Alberti is still riding high over the drought-breaking 2016 grand final win against Sydney – a day she says she will never forget.
The victory was such a long timing coming it took Alberti some time to register the significance of the win.
“The enormity didn’t really hit me that we had won, until about a month after the grand final,” she said.
“All the older people who I’ve seen weather the storm, I’ve seen them grow old and dream and wish – it was for them.
“The joy on their faces on the day of the grand final, it was breathtaking. I will live with that for the rest of my life.”
Following the premiership win, Alberti stepped down as vice-president of the club she has cherished for more than 60 years.
Her remarkable energy is now focused on her role as the inaugural ambassador for the AFL’s eight-team national women’s competition, which will hold its grand final, between Brisbane and Adelaide, this Saturday.
“I never would have thought I would have seen this evolution in my lifetime,” she said. “I’m so proud of the women – they’re the most wonderful young women.
“Whilst red, white and blue will run through my veins for the rest of my life, my job now is to look after women playing football, nurture them, encourage them.”
Her Place: Women in the West will be at the VU at MetroWest Gallery until March 31.
Further details: herplacemuseum.com
