Our Victorian Officials Function for the 2025 – 2026 season was conducted on Sunday 7 June and it was certainly a great day and opportunity for everyone to celebrate the year that was.
Our special guest this year was Jeff Downes – Inter-School Sport Manager – School Sport Victoria who awarded, together with Kirsteen Farrance, several Victorian Officials with a recognition award for their services to SSV for 2025.
The recipients were : Tony Williams, Kevin Roberts, Robert Hallett, Maureen Austin, Pamela Drake-Noden, Matthew Webster, Sarah Davis, Gordon Loughnan, Philip Allen, Gret Simpson, Ian Fisher & Brian Moore.
During the function, our service badges were awarded to recognise the efforts of our Officials. Congratulations to the following on outstanding years of Officiating.
5 Years – Bernie Cannan, David Cash, Jackie Gould, Jonathan Burns, Judy Pfanner, Michael O’Meara, Sean O’Meara
10 Years & AA Bronze Service Badge – Nicole Johansen
15 Years – Stuart Merrick
20 Years & AA Silver Service Badge – Andrea Hallett, Andrew Duncan, Bob Hallett, Christine Dell, Michael Brazel
25 Years – Marita Rieniets
30 Years – & AA Gold Service Badge – Craig Mahony
35 Years – Lorraine Sawyer
40 Years & AA Platinum Service Badge – Gordon Loughnan
50 Years – Di Lowden, Marg Nunn, Tony Williams
55 Years – Lorraine Morgan
Award Winners
An important part of this event is to announce and present our awards for the past season.
Regions / Zones submitted nominations for the outstanding Officials from their area and a sub-Committee selected the worthy winners.
Congratulations to the winners from the following Zones / Regions:
XCR Award
XCR Season Official Award to recognise an Official for their contribution to the Cross-Country Season.
The winner of this award was one that contributed to the entire Cross-Country Season, always arriving with a smile and willingness to pitch in and assist wherever required. Through rain, hail and sunshine they always gave their best.
The winner of the XCR Season Award was Tony Williams.
Official of the Year
The highlight of the function was the major awards of Official of the Year and Rising Star award.
In honour of an amazing person that passed away this year, the Official of the Year Award will now be known as the Ronda Jenkins Official of the Year Award.
The Ronda Jenkins Official of the Year is awarded to an Official who has made an outstanding contribution in Athletics officiating over the past season and contributes positively to the overall morale of the officials fraternity. The award is only given to Officials who have dedicated significant time and effort and is the Victorian Officials Committee’s way of recognising this.
The Ronda Jenkins Official of the Year was awarded to Christine Dell
Rising Star
The Rising Star award is presented to a relatively new Official who, in the Victorian Officials selection Committee’s opinion, is well rounded with their involvement at Region – Zone and State Championship events and have excelled over their first years. They have an enthusiasm for Officiating, are very dedicated to our sport and their performance has improved during the year.
The Rising Star award was presented to Andrew Parrott.
Congratulations to all our award winners – very truly deserved.
To learn more about officiating with Athletics Victoria, head here.