It was a wonderful way to conclude our 2025 Success Stories Breakfast events with Susan Alberti joining us to share her story of triumph in the face of adversity.
Fondly known as The Footy Lady, Susan took us back to the beginning, the things that sparked a love of footy and her beloved Bulldogs, and her secret to success – determination and never taking no for an answer.
Susan grew up in Bairnsdale and while her family may not have had much, she grew up with a passion for football and a dedication to hard work. Susan and her brother both played local footy until, at 15, Susan was forced to give up the game that was ‘not for young women’, despite being a great rover and tackler – in her own words! This never sat right with Susan and was something she fought to change in future years.
She began working at age 14 and continues to this day, Susan says she’s worked all her life, and loving what she does means she has no plans to stop now.
Susan has faced much heartache in her life, first losing her first husband in 1995 in a tragic road accident. A grieving Susan was left with their construction business to run and refusing to let their 400-plus employees down she stepped up. Still coping with the loss, Susan went back to school to get her builder’s licence, becoming the first female registered builder in Victoria, and began taking over the side of the business that her husband had always run.
Then, at the young age of 32, Susan’s daughter Danielle lost her life to the disease she had been suffering from for over 20 years, Type 1 diabetes. That was when Susan made the promise to her daughter “I’ll never stop. I’ll never give up.”
When Danielle was first diagnosed at the age of 12, Susan began her life’s work of supporting the search for a cure, and again, 20 years on in the face of her grief, Susan did not give up – her existing commitment to raising funds for better prevention, and treatment and to find a cure for Type 1 diabetes became a dedicated mission.
Susan and her foundation have invested millions of dollars in medical research, and she continues to fight to see a cure in her lifetime.
Susan’s other great commitment in life has been to the Western Bulldogs and later the AFLW. In 2004 she joined the Board of the Western Bulldogs AFL Football Club, playing a large part in them raising $20 million for redevelopment. She was also Vice-President of the club for 4 years, and president of the Footscray VFL Club team. Seeing the Bulldogs win the premiership in 2016 is one of her greatest moments.
More recently, Susan has been a driving force behind the AFLW competition and continues to support the competition, advocating for the women playing.
Susan’s never-give-up attitude, and her willingness to give and make the world a better place for others is limitless in the inspiration it provides.
While at the breakfast Susan took it upon herself to visit and speak with the students from local high schools Ave Maria, St Bernard’s, and Penleigh & Essendon Grammar School, who were touched by her story and thrilled with the opportunity to meet her and take photos.
It was an absolute honour to have Susan share her story with the Matthews Steer community, everyone in the room was touched by her words.
The next Matthews Steer Success Stories Breakfast will be held in March 2025. If you’re interested in joining our mailing list to hear about future events, Get In Touch (and make sure you tick ‘Keep me updated’!) or email events@matsteer.com.au
