General News
14 April, 2022
Sportsmen’s Club celebrates 50 years
THE Corangamite Sportsmen’s Club celebrated its 50th anniversary with a special dinner and awards night at the Commercial Hotel in Camperdown on Tuesday night.
THE Corangamite Sportsmen’s Club celebrated its 50th anniversary with a special dinner and awards night at the Commercial Hotel in Camperdown on Tuesday night.
The event was attended by past and present members and their families, members from other Victorian sportsmen’s associations, award recipients and various other invited guests.
Two particularly prestigious awards were bestowed on the night, the Rick Scroggie Memorial award for services to sport, and the number one ticket holder, which is associated with the Alan McKenzie Memorial trophy.
Ted Goodacre was awarded the Rick Scroggie award for his lifelong contribution to sports in the Corangamite region as well as his broader involvement in the community.
Brian Boyd was named the club’s number one ticket holder and had his name engraved on the Alan McKenzie trophy for his outstanding efforts in supporting grass-roots sport, both hands-on and administratively.
Local Cricketer of the Year Fraser Lucas received more public honours when he was named the senior individual sport star, while track and field athlete Thomas Mitchell was named junior sport star.
In the team sections, Heytesbury Rebels were named senior sports team after winning the South West Cricket Association grand final, with Team Wilson winning the junior sports team award for their efforts in winning the Cobden and District Tennis Association pennant.
The club’s favourite son Clyde Sefton, cyclist and Olympic silver medallist, attended, addressing and entertaining the assembled crowd.
Club secretary Andrew Benallack said the night was a wonderful occasion which properly celebrated the achievements of its sports stars, award winners and the club itself.
“It was really successful, in the bush you don’t see a lot of recognition for athletes unless they’re extremely elite,” he said.
“It also highlighted the successes the club has achieved over a long, long time.
“I remember as a young person myself, the diversity of sports participation used to be amazing, so much more general sporting activity in the region compared to what we see today.
“To keep this organisation operating in these declining circumstances for so many years is a credit to the club, and the people who have been running it and still do.”
