Essendon have announced a settlement agreement with former club CEO Andrew Thorburn.
The short-lived CEO will not receive any money from the club, with the Bombers instead donating an undisclosed amount to charity as well as apologising to the former NAB boss.
Thorburn made headlines after resigning a day after taking the role with the Bombers after the club told him he’d have to leave his role as chairman of City on a Hill church to remain at Tullamarine.
The church caused controversy after its stance on abortion and same-sex relationships came to light through a Herald Sun report.
According to The Age, Thorburn engaged in legal proceedings not for financial gain, but as a point of principal following his Essendon departure.
The club and Thorburn also released a joint statement on essendonfc.com.au in the wake of the agreement.
READ THE FULL STATEMENT BELOW.
This is a statement made on behalf of Essendon Football Club and Andrew Thorburn. On 3 October 2022, the Club appointed Andrew Thorburn as its CEO. Regrettably, Mr Thorburn had to give up his position the next day. The Club and Mr Thorburn are pleased to announce that the dispute between them has been resolved. A critical element of this resolution is to enable a wider community conversation on the importance of freedom of conscience, religion and belief and how to have respectful dialogue between people with different views and perspectives. All people should be respected and welcomed in workplaces and community organisations. No-one should have to choose between their faith or sexuality, and their employment.
Further, everyone should be able to openly express their personal position, in a respectful way, without fear and still feel that they belong. Genuine diversity and inclusion also includes people of faith. The Club acknowledges that the events of October should have been handled better and apologises for the impact it had on Mr Thorburn, his family and others.
Both parties consider that elements of the public commentary at the time were extreme and wrong and counter-productive to the respectful community dialogue they agree is critical. Mr Thorburn remains welcome at the Club. The Club reiterates that he is a person of integrity who treats others, whether at work or elsewhere, with dignity and respect. He has a strong track record of leadership including with respect to diversity and inclusion of LGBTIQ and other minority groups.
As part of a commitment to genuine diversity and inclusion, and to show leadership in this area, the Club has agreed to make a donation to an Ethics Institute. The Institute will prepare an independent paper on how sporting organisations can build inclusive communities recognising freedoms including those relating to race, religion and sexuality.