One player and one life-long supporter were awarded Life Membership of the Carlton Football Club at the 2009 Annual General Meeting held at the MCG on Monday, December 14th.

Bret Thornton was presented with his Life Membership by Carlton President Stephen Kernahan in recognition of Bret’s eight years of senior football for the Club. Players are eligible for Life Membership after eight years of senior football with Carlton or as a premiership player.

Recruited to Carlton from Mt Waverley Blues via the Oakleigh Under 18s, Bret was Carlton’s first selection in the 2002 AFL Rookie Draft. He was elevated to the primary list during the 2002 season and made his debut in round 10, 2002 against Fremantle at Subiaco. In doing so he became the 1057th player to represent the Carlton Football Club in the AFL.

A member of the Carlton pre-season premiership sides of 2005 and 2007, Thornton has played 149 games and was Carlton’s best first year player in 2002.

Honored to be inducted as a Life Member, Thornton thanked the Club and his family and fiancé for their support and also the Carlton supporters who have been so loyal to the Club during his time at Carlton. He added that there was a very positive feeling at the Club and that it was a great time to be a part of the Carlton Football Club.

Stephen Kernahan also presented Life Membership to Vivienne Kerr for her outstanding support to the Club for many years. The Kerr family is synonymous with the Carlton Football Club and Vivienne was thrilled to be inducted as a Life Member, admitting to being overcome with joy when she received the call from Stephen Kernahan.

“This is wonderful honour and I was so thrilled when Stephen rang me with the news, it means so much to me,” Vivienne said.

The wife of the late Laurie Kerr, a former player, Director and Life Member of the Club, Vivienne has been a life-long member of Carlton and has provided wonderful support to the Club for many years, both in conjunction with her late husband and also in her own right.

Vivienne has been Carlton’s number one female ticket holder since 2003 and is also an ambassador of the Women of Carlton.

As well as her involvement with Carlton, and that of her late husband, three sons have played for the Club with one, Peter, also being a director and her daughter Judy is the President of the Women of Carlton. No wonder the Kerr name is synonymous with the Carlton Football Club.

Vivienne spoke of her involvement with Carlton for 60 years and that of her family and said she was looking forward to the 2010 season, wishing Brett Ratten and the players the very best going forward. The “True Blue” passion was evident when she finished with a very simple, “Go Blues”.

Congratulations to Bret and Vivienne on the well-deserved honour of becoming Life Members of the Carlton Football Club.