Former President Jeff Kennett has been presented with Life Membership of Hawthorn Football Club on Friday night.

Kennett was among four names set to be presented with Life Membership at the club's AGM in December last year, but was unable to attend due to personal reasons.

First honoured in 1924, Life Membership was introduced to recognise the outstanding contribution of players with more than 10 years of service or 150 games with the club, and to officials, support staff, trainers and administrators who had given exceptional service.

JEFF KENNETT

Kennett began his first term as Hawthorn President in 2005, bringing a wealth of experience to the club following his time as Victoria Premier from 1992 to 1999. 

Within the first year of his presidency, Kennett secured one of the most lucrative partnerships in the club’s history, successfully negotiating a major sponsorship deal with the Tasmanian government to play home games at York Park (UTAS Stadium) each season. Almost two decades later, it is a deal Hawthorn is still benefiting from financially, whilst also offering an invaluable home-ground advantage that has delivered so much success.

In 2006, Kennett spearheaded the beginning of the club’s lengthy collaboration with mental health agency Beyond Blue. Working to raise awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health came the inception of the Beyond Blue Cup – an annual match that touched the lives of many over the journey.

Kennett was at the helm as Hawthorn won its 10th premiership in 2008, defeating Geelong by 26 points in one of the most memorable grand final wins in the club's history and breaking a 17-year drought.

After stepping down at the end of his second three-year term, Kennett returned in 2017 returned to serve the club as President once again. He would play a major role in the early planning and development of the Kennedy Community Centre, as well as the appointment of current AFL Senior Coach Sam Mitchell.