Vietnam Swans

The Vietnam Swans were very saddened to learn of the recent passing of Annie Jesaulenko, aged 65.

Annie died on New Year’s Eve after a short illness. Her funeral was held last Monday 7 January and was attended by her immediate family.

The Vietnam Swans send our sincerest and deepest condolences to Adam, Alex and families.

Adam Zakharoff, part owner of the Boomarang Bistro in Saigon, introduced his Aunty to the Vietnam Swans prior to the 2011 AFL Grand Final Party. Shortly after the introduction, Swannie, Kyle Hackenberg, was visiting Melbourne and met up with Annie and her husband, Alex, “for a coffee, some vegemite and toast and a chat“. Annie also organised for Alex to sign a couple of jumpers for the Swannies to auction. Kyle couldn’t speak highly enough of them and found Annie to be particularly friendly with a very generous nature.

In December, Swans’ National President, Phil Johns also met the Jesaulenkos in Melbourne: this time with a view to encouraging them to attend our ANZAC Friendship Match in 2012. While Annie very much liked the aims of our ANZAC Friendship Match and wanted to attend, she did warn that their calendars were extremely busy with family and work – but that they would try to attend. Annie was also impressed with the support the Swannies provide to Swim Vietnam which teaches children how to swim.

Annie and Alex were the Independent Distributors of in Australia at which they were extremely successful. In July of last year, much to the delight of the Vietnam Swans, Annie contacted the Club to confirm that Xango would like to become a sponsor of the Swannies (click here for full details).

At the time Annie thanked the Vietnam Swans for the opportunity to be “a part of your fabulous group and (I) look forward to contributing in any way I can.” She added that she was “very proud of (Xango Goodness) and I donate to their meal packs which are distributed worldwide. I am now working with some Somalian and South African groups in Melbourne very closely to train and teach them. I am thrilled with this as it gives them the opportunity to be able to give back to their own communities through me and Xango.”

Regularly Annie stayed in email contact with the Vietnam Swans. Always, she was supportive and encouraging of what we were doing. The topic of timing a visit to Vietnam to coincide with the ANZAC Friendship Match continued to be a regular topic of discussion. Possibly in 2013 she was saying recently.

In the lead up to the 2012 AFL Grand Final Party, Annie again organised for Alex to sign a jumper (supplied by Cameron Luke) for the Swannies to auction.

When the Vietnam Swans advised Annie that, as sponsors of the Club, she was entitled to complimentary tickets to our 2012 AFL Grand Final Party, she requested that the Committee give them to somebody deserving. We chose to give the Jesaulenkos’ tickets to Vietnam Veteran, Ron Vernon and his wife, Ailsa who work tirelessly for the Vung Tau Orphanage. The Vernons are also great supporters of the Vietnam Swans – especially with respect to our ANZAC Friendship Match. Ron and Ailsa were incredibly appreciative to receive a couple of tickets from Annie and Alex Jesaulenko.

Upon hearing this news, Annie replied, “I am so thrilled. My life passion is making people happy.”

R.I.P. Anne-Maree Jesaulenko.

Black armbands

As a mark of respect, the Vietnam Swans shall wear black armbands dedicated to the memory of Annie Jesaulenko at our next football match. Our next match will be played against the Cambodian Eagles in Phnom Penh on Australia Day, 26 January, 2013.

Commemorative Guest Book

To read the Commemorative Guest Book in the Hearld Sun, (the Book will close on 13 February 2013).