Lauderdale Football Club community mourning loss of life member Dion Mead after Cambridge crash

A “tremendous hole” has been left in the Lauderdale Football Club after the shock death of a life member who is being remembered as “kind-hearted, generous” and a “lovely man”. TRIBUTES >

Dion Mead. Picture: Facebook

A “tremendous hole” has been left in the Lauderdale Football Club after the shock death of a life member who is being remembered as “kind-hearted, generous” and a “lovely man”.

Dion Mead, 45, husband of Kristi and father to son Noah and daughter Sophie, died in a car crash at Cambridge on Saturday night.

In the wake of his death, hundreds of people took to the Lauderdale Football Club Facebook page to share their tributes.

Club President Andrew Lyden called the loss “devastating”.

“On behalf of the Lauderdale Football Club, I offer our deepest condolences to Kristi, Noah, Sophie and the extended family regarding the devastating loss of our esteemed life member Dion Mead,” he wrote.

Dion Mead unexpectedly died at the weekend. Pictures: Facebook

“Dion was an icon in our club and a dear friend to everybody who knew him. His tireless work for the club and the support and help he willingly gave to all those he met will never be forgotten.

“From the day he first arrived at the club as a young man some 25-years ago, nothing was too much for Diesel (Dion) as he made the club his second home.

“He was an exceptional player and leader on field for 300-plus games but even that outstanding record pales into significance with what he meant to the club and the people who have passed through it.

“Every member of our playing group, volunteers and members have benefited by knowing Dion. I am tremendously proud of the response of the Lauderdale family and playing group on learning of this tragedy. Thank you also to AFL Tasmania for their support.

“Dion’s tragic passing has left a tremendous hole that will be impossible to fill. Every possible help and assistance will be made to Kristi and the family to help them through this heartbreaking time.”

Mr Mead was a life member of the Lauderdale Football Club. Pictures: Facebook

Head of AFL Tasmania Damien Gill said of Mr Mead: “A lovely man. Deepest condolences and thoughts with Kristi, his family and all at the Lauderdale Football Club.”

Hobart Football Club President Josh Munting wrote: “Such a sad loss for his family, footy and (the) touch footy community more generally.

“You’d be hard-pressed to meet a kinder person. Condolences to his family, friends and his footy club.”

Tributes are pouring in for the family man. Pictures: Facebook

Amber Petty, partner of former Lauderdale captain and current player Bryce Walsh said Mr Mead was “kind-hearted, generous, supportive, caring and wonderful”.

“My heart goes out to all family and friends including the LFC community,” she added.

“During this extremely difficult time we have seen the power of people coming together. It’s a true testament to LFC’s culture.”

Former AFL Tasmania CEO and current Clarence Football Club president Scott Wade said Mr Mead was a “highly respected person on and off the field.”

AFLW player Tahlia Read wrote: “His selflessness, commitment to helping others and the huge smile he always had are all things that will never be forgotten.”

Mr Mead, or ‘Diesel’ as he was affectionaly known around the Lauderdale Football Club, clocked up over 350 games since first joining the club in 1997.

He regularly laced up to play for the SuperJets, and ensured players uniforms were ready before each game.

Mr Mead was known as a jack of all trades around the club, and could be seen working the bar or the deep fryer during big games. He also organised club merchandise, fundraisers and was a regular umpire on the field.

Mr Mead was a recipient of the Dale Cash Memorial Award for Club Person of the Year.

The Mead family was rocked by tragedy in February when Dion’s brother Shaun unexpectedly passed away at the age of 43. ️