THE AFL's longest-serving employee, ground operations manager Jill Lindsay has died, with the Port Adelaide Football Club joining the AFL community in mourning her passing after battling cancer.
She was the only woman to be acknowledged with life membership of the VFL/AFL.
AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou paid tribute to her on Monday morning.
"Jill was a trailblazer across more than 40 years working for the VFL and AFL, and a hero to generations of staff and football people who worked with her and admired her," Demetriou said.
"She was a source of valuable advice and wisdom to me, both as football operations manager and chief executive, and I will miss terribly her friendship, wise counsel and laughter. Many senior staff, both within the AFL and across our clubs, are today heartbroken by the loss of Jill."
Despite her illness, Ms Lindsay was active in her role as the AFL's ground operations manager up until the Christmas break just over a month ago and continued to work throughout 2010 while undergoing treatment.
She began at the VFL in 1970 as an office clerk and her various roles in the last four decades included VFL Park match day supervisor, VFL Park super box co-ordinator, VFL permit and clearance secretary, VFL Park membership manager and VFL Park finals series co-ordinator.
She took over as VFL membership manager from 1986 and then began the role of AFL ground operations manager from 1991, which she filled until her passing.
Last October's replay grand final between Collingwood and St Kilda represented her 43rd Grand Final in an official capacity at firstly the VFL and then AFL, including the two grand finals in 1977.
In 2010, the AFL Commission announced a scholarship in Jill Lindsay's name, for her outstanding service to the game and to further promote careers for women in sports administration.
The scholarship will be awarded annually to a graduate of AFL Sportsready and the first recipient of the Jill Lindsay Scholarship is to be announced shortly.
Apart from her working career with the AFL, Jill also gave a lifetime of service to softball as a player, coach and administrator.
She represented New South Wales as a junior as well as the New South Wales and Victoria senior teams.
Ms Lindsay coached the Victorian women's team from 1988 to 1991 and the Victorian under-19 women's team from 1979 to 1987.
She also coached the Rebels and Melbourne Majestics in the National League and played a leading role in the establishment of the Brentwood Rebels Softball Club in 1981, which played in the Waverley Softball Association.
Ms Lindsay became a Life Member of Brentwood Rebels in 1991 and received the Australian Sport Medal in 2000 for her service to softball.
Demetriou said Ms Lindsay had been a key figure within the AFL as well as a close friend who wasn't afraid to challenge authority.
"Jill had relentless drive, was prepared to tackle any task and expected the highest standards, firstly of herself, and of everyone she worked with," he said.
"She was a mentor to so many women across the football industry, and a loyal and trusted friend for so many across our competition, who are feeling her loss deeply today.
"Jill was a natural leader whose inner strength and support for colleagues made people around her walk taller. She would not hesitate to put people in their place if she thought it was appropriate - including CEOs of the AFL.
"Jill was a person respected at every level of our business; whose values, integrity, work ethic, and commitment to growth - personal and for the organisation, and for individuals who work with her, in business and in her sporting life - were second to none.
"While she is lost to us, she will never be forgotten."
Ms Lindsay is survived by her mother Marjorie, sister Robyn Torpy and brothers Graham and Ross. Funeral details will be released when they are confirmed.
