Put us in your will

Hamish Heard
Cats president Frank Costa has written to elderly Geelong members urging them to give money to the club when they die.
A letter with his signature arrived in letterboxes of elderly supporters earlier this week, asking them to remember the club when writing their wills.
“Naturally you take care of your family and loved ones first then you think of your other family – the Geelong Football Club,” Mr Costa wrote to selected members.
He said the club would invest bequests and use the earnings to “help Geelong grow and stay strong and successful”.
“When you think about it, this is your opportunity to give the biggest gift in your life for the benefit of Geelong – a gift to support our team, our children and grandchildren and generations to come,” Mr Costa said.
Club finance manager Rob Threlfall said management had been working on the formation of a Geelong Football Club Bequest Club for the past three months.
“The letter was sent out this week to Geelong members who were born before 1950 who might be in a position in their life to be considering these sorts of issues,” Mr Threlfall said.
The scheme was similar to bequest programs running at charities and other not-for-profit organisations, he said.
“Because the money is invested and only the earnings used, it’s a great opportunity for our members to leave a legacy to the club forever.
“Importantly, we’re asking people to consider the club only after they have considered their family and loved ones in such an important issue.”
Loyal Cats supporters including club legend Fred Flanagan have already pledged a portion of their estates to the club.
As official bequest club patron, Mr Flanagan said he had been busy convincing other past players to sign up.
“The club has given me some of my finest memories and it’s extremely satisfying to know I can continue to make a real contribution for hundreds of years after I die,” Mr Flanagan said.
Many Cats supporter would argue Mr Flanagan had already given enough after captaining Geelong to two premierships in the 1950s.
“I’ve spoken to a lot of the guys I played with and they’re pretty keen to sign up as well,” he said.
Mr Threlfall urged anyone wanting to join the bequest club to contact him at Skilled Stadium.