SEAGULLS NEWS
N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 5
PAGE 1: CEO UPDATE
PAGE 2: VALE JANET DOOLEY
PAGE 3: VFL NEWS & VFLW NEWS
PAGE 4: PORT OF MELBOURNE BOAT
TOUR + UPCOMING EVENTS
PAGE 5: SEASIDE FAIR
PAGE 6: ANNUAL GOLF DAY
PAGE 7: PARTNER UPDATE
PAGE 8: MEMBERSHIP UPDATE
PAGE 9: 2026 MEMBERSHIPS ON SALE
We look forward to sharing an exciting 2026 season with you Until then, have a safe and joyful holiday season!
Go Seagulls!
Paul Northey Chief Executive Officer Williamstown Football Club
VALE JANET DOOLEY
own ity of he pact as ear s otably net’s ness to rite to tivities uable at the after r home all Club one of he Hall sed
Acknowledging her outstanding contribution more broadly, in 2011 Janet was awarded by the VFL with the Alec Gillon Award for outstanding service to Victorian Football. She was later made a Life Member of the VFL in 2018. Janet is survived by her three children – Merryl, her daughter, continues the tradition of service by the Dooley Family as the club’s current President, Grant (also a former Board member) and Craig (a former player).
Janet’s funeral was held on Friday 28 November at 2:30pm at Nelson Brothers, Williamstown. The family welcomed members of the Williamstown Football Club community who wished to attend and celebrate her life and contribution.
Rest in peace, Janet
VFL & VFLW NEWS
Pre-season is back
There’s a buzz around DSV Stadium once again, with our VFL men officially back into pre-season training. The group has hit the ground running, returning with strong intent, energy, and a clear focus on building momentum early. With new faces joining familiar ones on the track, the squad has wasted no time putting in the work, setting strong foundations for what promises to be an exciting 2026 season.
While our men are already deep into their preparations, our VFLW team is expected to return to training in December, and there’s plenty to look forward to as they begin their next chapter. Over the recent weeks, our new VFLW Senior Coach Paul Groves, has been in regular i ti ith l ing group, setting ips, and mapping out the
Adding to the excitement s the re-signing of VFLW captain, Eliza Straford. After making a return in 2025 following a season-ending ACL injury in 2024, Straford quickly reminded everyone why she’s one of the competition’s most respected players. In her first game back against Box Hill, she kicked two goals, collected 16 disposals, and laid seven tackles.
At 29, with 129 VFLW games, 46 goals, and 67 best-on-ground honours, Straford continues to be the heartbeat of our women’s program. Her leadership, resilience, and commitment set the tone both on and off the field, and we’re delighted to have her leading the blue and gold once again.
With both programs gearing up, there’s a strong sense of momentum building at the nest, and we can’t wait to continue sharing the journey with our Seagulls community next year.
PORT OF MELBOURNE BOAT TOUR
A huge thank you to Port of Melbourne for hosting us on their boat tour last weekend!
On Saturday 15 November, our CEO Paul Northey and Head of Partnerships Luke Attard joined a wonderful mix of Williamstown locals and new faces from across Melbourne aboard the Magic Charter Kingfisher II.
It was a fantastic afternoon connecting with our community, handing out caps and footies, and seeing Australia’s busiest port from a completely new perspective. We’re so grateful for our ongoing partnership with Port of Melbourne Their tours not only provide a unique, family-friendly experience, but also support Mission to Seafarers Victoria and Stella Maris Seafarer Centre through donated ticket proceeds.
Thank you again to the Port of Melbourne team for welcoming us on board and making the day so memorable!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Join us at the Williamstown Family Christmas Picnic in the Park on Saturday, 6 December 2025, 10am–4pm at Commonwealth Reserve!
Enjoy festive fun for all ages live music, Santa photos, kids’ games, face painting, mini golf, giant lawn games, and a bestdressed dog competition.
Don’t miss the interactive theatre performance Boats by Polyglot Theatre and a chance to win a huge local hamper For more information, visit visitwilliamstown com au
SEASIDE FAIR
We had a fantastic time at the Williamstown Primary Seaside Fair on Sunday, 23 November 2025!
After a brief morning drizzle, the day turned into a wonderful community celebration filled with rides, delicious food from the BBQ and Nachos stalls, and engaging activities like the Craft Corner and live entertainment, including the popular Bake-Off competition and the tunes from the roaming saxophone player!
Our mascot Speccie loved meeting the kids, and we were thrilled to welcome several new members who signed on during the day. We always enjoy supporting local schools, and it was great to see so many other sports clubs coming together to make the day so special It was a fantastic opportunity to connect with families and celebrate the vibrant Williamstown community.
ANNUAL GOLF DAY
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for the Williamstown Football Club’s 2025 Annual Golf Day and an extraspecial shoutout to our incredible sponsors who made the day possible
We’re grateful to Red Herring Digital for proudly presenting the event, and to our supporting partners Kraken Rum and Beyond Bank for adding to the experience with their valued contributions. Your ongoing support helps us bring our community and corporate network together in meaningful ways
It was also fantastic to catch up with the Williamstown Juniors FC throughout the day. Their enthusiasm and presence added to the spirit of the event, reminding us of the strong pathway and connection between our clubs Thank you again to all sponsors, players and supporters for making the day such a success. We can’t wait to see you back on the greens next year.
PARTNER UPDATE
Welcome IPS Security
Williamstown Football Club is excited to announce IPS Security (Integrated Protective Service) as an Official Partner for 2026
IPS Security is a Melbourne-based leader in customised security solutions, providing expertise across event security, mobile patrols, retail loss preventation, asset protection, and a range of specialised services designed to keep communities safe.
We’re thrilled to welcome IPS Security into the Blue and Gold family and look forward to building a strong, collaborative partnership throughout the 2026 season.
Here’s to a great year ahead with IPS Security by our side!
Welcome Breheny Brewery
We’re pleased to share that Breheny Bros. Breweries Pty Ltd is joining the Williamstown Football Club as our Official Beer Partner for 2026
This partnership brings a special sense of history – both the Seagulls and the Breheny Brothers story began right here in Williamstown in 1864 A perfect local connection, coming full circle.
We’re excited to have them on board for the year ahead!
Read more here!
2026 MEMBERSHIP UPDATE
Our 2026 memberships are already on sale, and the response has been incredible. Just one month since launching on November 1 , we’re already sitting at more than 250 members This momentum has inspired our Christmas campaign – the Journey to 500 Members Before Christmas. st
If you haven’t renewed yet, there’s still time. Re-sign before Christmas to stay on the Blue and Gold Journey in 2026 and help us hit our goal!
Join or renew now: https://am.intix.com/williamstownfc/home to renew.
And don’t forget – sign up before December 31 to receive your free member cap. st
For members on the auto-renew payment option, your memberhip would have rolled over in the first week of November this year If you need to update your details or adjust your membership, reach out to Lee lherrick@williamstownfc.com.au. Not on the autorenew but want to be? Lee can help with that too.
Get your friends and family on board – share the Blue and Gold pride and grow the Seagulls community!
MERCHANDISE
