By Shannon Edwards // Place Bulimba
The mother-daughter duo, Desley-Ann and Raylene Allen, are the ultimate supporters of the Morningside Panthers – red, white and black through and through.
With Desley-Ann and her husband once owning the local fish and chip shop on Riding road, and Raylene pretty much being born into the club, Morningside AFL is less like a football club and more like a second home for the pair.
“Over the years that I’ve volunteered here, I’ve done everything from catering to bar work, office work, accounts and washing all the jerseys of the players after each game,” says Desley-Ann.
Having stepped up to manage the club, Raylene has put Morningside AFL on the map as a community destination.
“I grew up in the area and have been a Hawthorne local all my life so it’s wonderful to give something back to the community,” says Raylene.
Desley-Ann and Raylene showed us around Morningside AFL and shared what they love about the club, and why it’s now such a popular spot in the community.