We would like to pay tribute to a much-loved member of our red and white family, Lillian Crombie, who died earlier this month aged 66.

Lillian was as passionate as they come.

The founder of our club’s First Nations supporter group, the Black Swans, Lillian loved her Sydney Swans and we loved her.

Her support meant so much to our players, and everyone at the club has been saddened by her passing.

We also admired her, as an incredible performer, and as a proud Pitjintjara/Yungkuntjara woman.

Raised in Port Pirie, South Australia, Lillian excelled in dance and drama and moved to Sydney on a dance scholarship at the age of 16. She went on to train at NIDA and later in New York, appearing in multiple productions in Australia and abroad.

On the screen, Lillian appeared in television series including the Secret Life of Us, and in Baz Luhrmann’s film Australia. In 2019, she was recognised with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Equity Foundation for her contribution to the arts and was hailed as a pioneer who paved the way for First Nations stories to be told.

The Sydney Swans extend our deepest condolences to Lillian’s family and friends.

Forever red and white.