By Wendy Williamson
Leading lady inspires students
“Anything you can do in community service, however small, is valuable. It all adds up.”
That was one of the key messages from Susan Alberti AC in her inspirational talk to senior students at Beaconhills College on Wednesday 21 March.
Being a good community citizen was just one of the topics covered by the successful businesswoman, renowned philanthropist and ‘Footy Lady.’
She also spoke about leadership, about transforming people’s lives through sport and about her long and heartbreaking battle to find a cure for Type 1 Diabetes.
It was through her role of Patron of the AFL Fans Association that Susan came to speak at Beaconhills College.
The mother of Year 10 student Alysha Hall, Debbie, is the secretary of the association.
Alysha was thrilled when Susan agreed to appear as a guest speaker at her school and share with the students some of the lessons she has learnt during her lifetime.
Susan began by listing her three passions (in addition to her husband) as women in sport and business, finding a cure for Type 1 Diabetes and the Western Bulldogs.
In a brief account of her life she did not shy away from the tragedies. These include the premature deaths of her first husband in an accident and her daughter from Type 1 Diabetes.
The sudden death of her builder husband catapulted her into a leadership role in the business of building. Somehow she found the strength to rise to the challenge – and succeed.
For her daughter’s sake she has devoted much of her life to raising money for diabetes research.
Royalties from her authorised biography, ‘The Footy Lady,’ go to that research.
Susan exhorted the students to value their health. “Health is wealth,” she said.
“We need to spread the message that prevention is much better than cure.”
Susan has had her own health issues and she has learnt from the experience.
“I made a vow – if I get out of this I’m going to make every day of my life matter,” she said.
True to her word, she has succeeded in making her long-held dream of a women’s AFL competition become a reality. The icing on the cake would be to see the Western Bulldogs win the AFLW grand final.
Susan’s final message to the students was, “Keep making a difference.”
The 2017 Melburnian of the Year added: “Make the most of living here in this great city and great state.”
