As Season 2020 ground to a halt in late March last year, St Kilda was facing its biggest financial challenge in its 147-year existence.
Overnight, the future of our beloved club was suddenly in doubt. Enter that St Kilda spirit.
It’s intangible, invisible, and exceedingly difficult to put into words, but something binds us all to this club and this place, and as we stared at the brink, our members stood up.
In their thousands, they pledged their memberships and donated funds to keep the red, white and black flag flying.
Lois Gaskin went one step further again.
We’re featuring Lois’s story as part of Member Week, where we’re bringing the focus back to you.
Like many of the faithful, Lois is a multi-generational Sainter, and like many more, her love for this club started here, in Linton St, Moorabbin.
She harbours vivid memories of walking from her family home in Bentleigh to the famous suburban ground, where her father would duck Lois and her five siblings under the turnstiles while the ticket booth workers dutifully turned a blind eye.
Lois has inherited her father’s passion for the Saints, and among other things has been Tim Membrey’s premium player sponsor since he came to the club, a 13-year member and a live witness of 1966 Premiership glory.
She’s also the proud owner of two Jack Russells, Scout and Boudica, seven-year members themselves, and she excitedly tells me they’re due personalised St Kilda collars in this year’s membership kit.
But in Season 2020, her St Kilda story reached new heights.
At first, Lois is hesitant to discuss her financial contributions to the club in the year that was, but eventually relents.
Last May, she committed to donate $100 per month for the rest of 2020 as part of the Saints Pledge program.
Then, she decided to continue that same donation for the entirety of 2021.
“I try to keep quiet about that,” Lois tells me.
“I just decided if I contribute something every month and it’s not too difficult, hopefully it’ll help.
It’s never been clearer that members are the lifeblood of our game.
2020 will be remembered as the year that brought football to its knees, but its members found a way.
Lois was there when we won our first flag.
She witnessed the magic of Moorabbin, the first time round, then again in 2020.
Her part in our story is as important as any other, as without her and the thousands just like her, there’s no St Kilda.
That’s what Strength Through Loyalty means.
Commitment to the cause no matter what. Standing united behind the same banner and breathing life into that same St Kilda spirit.
Now, it's your turn. Take your place in history by becoming a member in 2021.
Together We Rise.
