VAFA LIFE MEMBER SIMON COSTELLO

Below is the presentation by Bruno Conti, VAFA Board Member and former President of the VAFA, that he made at the VAFA Season Launch to welcome the newest VAFA Life Member Simon Costello. 
Ladies and Gentleman it gives me great pleasure to be standing before you here this evening as I read out the credentials of Simon Costello.
Simon has over many years given outstanding service to the Association as well as to the Melbourne University Football and in particular University Blacks.
As a club player:
• At University Blacks he played 248 games which is still a club record. 
• He has won 4 Best and Fairest awards. 
• Was Vice Captain of the 1974 A Section premiership team, and Captain of the club in 1976 and 1978  
• Simon was runner up in the Association’s A Section Best and Fairest award.
Following his graduation in Medicine from Melbourne University in 1977, Simon continued further studies in the specialist field of Paediatrics including overseas appointments in Canada. Upon his return to Australia he established his own practice in Paediatrics and is now the head of Paediatrics at Cabrini Hospital.
As a club official:
Despite his busy professional life, Simon was able to return to University football. He was President of the Blacks from 1996 -2001 and then became President of the Melbourne University Football Club between 2005 – 2010.
VAFA Representation:
• His contribution as a player was outstanding – represented the VAFA across 7 years in 1975, 1977-1982. 
• He captained the side in 1981.  
• In 1979 he was selected as an All Australian. 
• 1990/91 – he served as the Medical Officer for the VAFA U-19 representative team  
• In 2009 he received the Big V Award of VAFA Legend to acknowledge his playing contribution to the Big V 
• In 2011 he was appointed as a VAFA Ambassador and he continues in this role for the 4th year in 2014.
Simon is renowned as a gentleman of the utmost character and integrity who has clearly distinguished himself in his professional life and more importantly in the context of his VAFA life membership he has distinguished himself in the sporting world through his involvement with the VAFA.
Simon Costello has rendered conspicuous service to the VAFA, following in the footsteps of his father Dr Brian Costello himself a Life Member of the VAFA and the Costellos now become the first family in the history of our association to become a father / son life member combination.
Simon becomes the 55th Life Member of the VAFA.
Ladies and gentleman will you please join me in congratulating Simon Costello on his induction as a Life Member of the Victorian Amateur Football Association. 
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To read more on Simon Costello from a University Blacks perspective read here.