General News
22 November, 2022
Local volunteers heralded in awards
COBDEN Country Fire Authority (CFA) stalwart Les Sumner has taken out an award.
COBDEN Country Fire Authority (CFA) stalwart Les Sumner has taken out an award.
Member for Wannon Dan Tehan announced the Wannon Sport and Volunteer Awards at a ceremony in Warrnambool last week.
Mr Sumner, who has been a volunteer for more than 60 years, received an award under the Member of Parliament category.
He has undertaken a plethora of leadership and administrative positions in the following:
• Cobden CFA – 60 years;
• Cobden Football Netball Club and the Hampden Football Netball League – 50 years;
• Life Member of the Hall of Fame recipient for the Hampden Association;
• Charter member, president, and secretary of the Hampden District Sports Trainers Association – 45 years;
• Trainer at the Cobden Football Netball Club – 45 years and still ongoing;
• St John’s Ambulance – 15 years; and
• Member and administrator for Jancourt, Simpson, Cobrico and Timboon cricket clubs.
Mr Sumner has also been heavily involved with local schools and scouts’ groups.
A number of awards were also presented to locals in the sports awards.
Cobden’s Cameron Beaton received an award in the Community Contribution by an individual category.
He is well-regarded and respected within the Cobden community for his dedication and commitment to local sport.
Mr Beaton has spent the last 17 years coaching cricket and football and assisting with the day-to-day administration of the clubs.
He was also acknowledged for his leadership and support of Cobden youth.
Glenfyne’s Thomas Robert received an accolade in the Individual Achievement – Secondary School category.
A year 12 student who attends Cobden Technical School, his passion in the sporting scene is barefoot water-skiing.
Thomas began at age seven and competitively skied with the Victorian Barefoot Water-ski Club when he was eight.
He has achieved highly in his state club competitions, with regular podium positions and has also become a notable water-skier at multiple national and Oceania competitions.
Thomas has been selected to represent Australia in the 2022 IWWF Asia-Oceania Barefoot Championships this month.
He has also been named in the squad for the IWWF 2023 Open, Junior, and Under 23 World Barefoot Championships in February.
Mr Tehan was pleased to be able to hold the awards with last year’s held via video.
“The awards honour an exceptional group of volunteers and sportspeople and the contribution that they make in our local community,” he said.
“The sport awards acknowledge Wannon athletes and individuals for their outstanding achievements or commitment to sport.
“This year we are celebrating the wonderful success of our younger athletes with 10 awards and three awards recognising club stalwarts.”
Guest speaker Clyde Sefton inspired attendees with his passion and success as a road racing cyclist.
He won silver at the Munich Olympics in 1972 and gold at the Commonwealth Games in Christchurch in 1974.
As one of the giants of Australian cycling, “efficiency and results were what his rivals remember him for, some even jokingly called him ‘Jack,’ as in ‘I’m all right Jack’.”
The volunteer awards recognise and celebrate the individuals or groups who have inspired others and enriched their local community through their contributions.
Mr Tehan said the “volunteer awards bring me immense joy as we celebrate our wonderful volunteers and publicly acknowledge, thank, and celebrate them for their selfless service”.
“Our volunteers serve in so many different capacities from helping local sporting teams, to responding to natural disasters, such as the recent floods, to helping our charities or helping our most disadvantaged,” he said.
“Their contribution helps build and shape our local communities and make Wannon an incredibly special place to live.”
Joining Mr Tehan as guest speaker for the volunteer awards was Madi Bennett.
Ms Bennett has made a significant contribution in raising awareness of Huntington’s disease a rare and inherited neurological degenerative condition.
She sits on the volunteer committee for Huntington’s Victoria and helps to raise vital funds for research and is instrumental in continuing to raise awareness of the disease.
