Kookaburra Volunteer Recognition Breakfast

Staged on day three of the Commonwealth Bank Boxing Day Test, the recipients were recognised by the cricket community with awards being presented by English legend Sir Ian Botham and the Deputy Leader of the Nationals and Member for Northern Victoria, Damian Drum.

Prior to the presentations, Botham spoke to the audience, recounting his career and giving an insight into his charity work as well as acknowledging the tireless work of cricket’s volunteers.

“If clubs don’t have help and if they don’t have volunteers then they don’t exit,” Botham said at the event.

Among the 20 recipients was Axe Creek Cricket Club’s Rob Fisher. Fisher was acknowledged for creating an all abilities program at Axe Creek and was also credited for playing a role in reaching out to the Afghani refugee community and getting them involved in cricket.

“As a volunteer it was very humbling to be at the Breakfast and to be in the presence of Sir Ian,” Fisher said.

“Just being able to bring cricket to more and more people is what keeps me going.”

Throughout the year, Victorian cricket clubs and associations are asked to nominate their highly valued volunteers.

From curators and committee members to coaches and scorers, the continuous support and efforts from this year’s recipients is highly valued by Cricket Victoria and its clubs.

The 2013 Kookaburra Sport Volunteer Recognition Program recipients are:
Robert Ary (Toorak Prahran Cricket Club)
Jacob Attwood (St Pauls Cricket Club Glen Waverley)
Neil Daly (Mid Year Cricket Association, South Eastern Cricket Association, Southern District and Churches Cricket League & Clayton District Cricket Club)
Meryn Deans (Dederang Demons Cricket Club)
John Dodd (Bright Cricket Club)
Michael Dwyer (Kialla Knights Cricket Club)
Russell Ferguson (Iona Cricket Club)
Rob Fisher (Axe Creek Cricket Club)
Jodie Goodlet (Lilydale Cricket Club)
Pam Lovell Harely (St Johns Tecoma Cricket Club & Ferntree Gully and District Cricket Association)
David Hayden (Hawthorn Cricket Club & Eastern Cricket Association)
Debra Keating (Western Region Junior Cricket Association)
Justin McDonald (Footscray United Cricket Club)
Scott Miller (North Shore Cricket Club)
Graham Mulroney (Geelong Over 60s Cricket Club)
Richard Norris (Preston Cricket Club)
Michael Rolfe (West Gippsland Cricket Association)
David Rout (Russells Creek Cricket Club & Warrnambool and District Cricket Association)
Natalie Salerno (Devon Meadows Cricket Club)
Brendan Scott (East Box Hill Cricket Club)