Wednesday, 30 August 2023

Greg Jeffers

Vicki WARD (Eltham) (10:03): I congratulate Greg Jeffers on receiving life membership of the Eltham Wildcats Basketball Club. Greg’s dedicated leadership and communication skills when CEO of the Wildcats deserves recognition. I greatly enjoyed working with him supporting basketball, especially our work together with the amazing former principal Allan Robinson to build a new three-court stadium at Montmorency Secondary College. Under Greg’s inclusive and intelligent leadership the Wildcats grew from 4200 members and a turnover of just over $1 million when he started to one of Australia’s most successful and stable basketball clubs, with over 6000 members and a turnover of $2.7 million. Along with the Monty SC build Greg also undertook at Eltham High many infrastructure improvements.

Under Greg’s leadership on-court performance has improved, and the club was awarded Basketball Victoria’s 2017 junior association of the year; Basketball Victoria’s 2018 association of the year; and Vicsport’s Community Event of the Year for the Eltham Dandenong junior basketball tournament. What really needs to be noted is Greg’s improvements to club culture. In the words of club president Peter Meehan:

He came in at a very challenging time, and left the club in pretty much the best position, socially as well as materially, that we have ever been in.

I again quote Peter Meehan, who gave high praise:

With the exception of David Hickman, there has been no-one that has made a bigger contribution to the ongoing success of the Eltham Wildcats Basketball Club.

I thank Greg for all he has done for the Eltham Wildcats and our local community. He continues to coach despite no longer being CEO. He is an absolute treasure.