Former Geelong Cats president Frank Costa dies aged 83

Former president of the Geelong Football Club, businessman and philanthropist Frank Costa has died at the age of 83.

A giant figure in Victoria’s second-biggest city, Mr Costa and his brother Adrian took over the family fruit and vegetable business in 1958, growing Costa Group into a billion-dollar company. 

But the father of eight is perhaps best known for his tenure as president of the Geelong Cats from 1998 to 2010.

During his time as head of the club, the Cats went from a financially struggling team to a powerhouse that broke a 44-year drought to win AFL premierships in 2007, 2009 and 2011.

He was awarded the Australian Sports Medal in 2001 for his significant role in the AFL, which included the restoration of the club.

He was awarded life membership in 2011 following more than 30 years’ involvement with the Cats.

Frank Costa is remembered as a man with strong values.(

AAP/ Geelong Advertiser

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Mr Costa was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2015 for his distinguished services in sports, business, religious, medical, educational and social welfare organisations.

In 2003 he received the Governor-General’s Centenary Medal for his contribution to Australian society.

Acting Victorian Premier James Merlino called Mr Costa an “extraordinary individual” who was “passionate not only about the Geelong Football Club, but the entire Geelong region”.

“He took an entire community… an entire region with him,” he said.

“A great philanthropist as well. He was a wonderful, wonderful Victorian.”

Mr Merlino said the government would consider a state funeral if the family wanted one.

Member for Corio and deputy Labor leader Richard Marles said Geelong had “lost its leading citizen”.

“It is impossible to conceive of Geelong without Frank Costa,” he said.

“There are heavy hearts across our city.”

Mr Marles said Mr Costa’s stature was “built on the strength of his values”.

“His generosity of spirit was profound. His honesty was total.  And he knew what was really important in life; faith, family and friends.”

Liberal senator and Geelong local Sarah Henderson called Mr Costa “a great man; humble and kind and a giant of Geelong in every sense”.

Frank Costa, pictured with former mayor Darryn Lyons, was a figure of Geelong life for decades.(

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Former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett called him a “wonderful human being”.

“Great values. To his large family, my condolences,” Mr Kennett said.

“The City of Geelong and its community will forever be in his debt.”

Mr Costa’s philanthropic work often centred around his hometown of Geelong, and he was involved in a number of charities.

He and his wife established the Frank and Shirley Costa fund for the Geelong Community Foundation, saying “it is only when you give that you receive”.

The Barwon Health Foundation said Mr Costa’s “generosity and leadership will always be admired”.

“Frank’s legacy will live on in the spirit of Geelong, always,” it said.

Frank Costa is survived by his wife Shirley Costa.

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