SAA celebrates young and old

MULTIPLE generations of local sports people were honoured last week at the Sportsmen’s Association of Australia Ballarat Branch dinner.

Held at the Ballarat Golf Club, the 55-year-old club began a new era, inducting inaugural members into the new Hall of Fame for outstanding service, before recognising exceptional junior sportspeople with Encouragement Awards.

Foundation and Life Members, Ron Plover, David Stevens and the late Vin Cahill were all inducted into the Ballarat SAA Hall of Fame, and President Ross Muller said they’re all “champion people.

“They’ve been with the club all those years, so we thought we’d create a Hall of Fame and recognise them,” he said.

“They’ve done a mighty job over the years, the three absolute gentlemen. They’ve kept the club going, and the rules and regulations that we stick to all the time, they laid that out for us to follow through on.

“They’re just great fellas.”

Mr Plover and Mr Stevens previously both served as committee members, President, and Vice-President, with Mr Plover also Secretary at a time. Mr Cahill served as Secretary and Treasurer, with his daughter, Gail Bell, accepting his posthumous honour last week.

Junior Encouragement Awards went to six young sportspeople, swimmer Charlotte Bodey, racewalker Alanna Peart, BMX rider Joshua Jolly, high jumper Lachlan O’Keefe, soccer player Connor Nelson-Higgins, and athletics competitor Matthew O’Brien.

“We pick out six every year of the top-quality kids around Ballarat, give them a donation for sports gear and recognise them for the magnificent, unbelievable job they do, competing around the world, virtually,” Mr Muller said.

Kellie Tait of Access All Abilities Sport was the evening’s guest speaker, receiving $1000 for her organisation as the chosen President’s Charity.