THE idea to form a local association specifically for sportswomen came from the Ballarat Branch of the Sportsmen\u2019s Association of Australia in late 1971.<\/p>\n
In the next year, a meeting was held in Aileen Eyres\u2019 home to get the ball rolling, and an organising committee was formed, before it was decided in 1973 that the sporting community would enthusiastically receive the group.<\/p>\n
Five months later, on 4 July, the Ballarat Associates Branch of the Sportsmen\u2019s Association of Australia, or the Ballarat Sportswomen\u2019s Association, officially held their first foundation members\u2019 dinner meeting at Craig\u2019s Hotel, and a movement was born.<\/p>\n
Fifty years later, the association\u2019s 80 members are celebrating their half-century this week, with a special anniversary edition of their annual ladies-only awards night, organised by a committee of 11 women.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe aim to support and foster local girls and women in sport,\u201d said president Anne Jones.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe fundraise and give some financial assistance to young girls who are going to compete on a national and international level.<\/p>\n
\u201cOver the 50 years, we\u2019ve supported over 200 young athletes who have potential and are breaking into their sport.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust recently, we supported Lucy Richardson and Katie Jackson, the young rowers who won world bronze this year.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s very satisfying that our organisation can play a small part in their journey.\u201d<\/p>\n
This week\u2019s celebration evening was the group\u2019s 48th effort acknowledging the recent outstanding achievements of Ballarat\u2019s female athletes.<\/p>\n
It is a \u201csimple formula\u201d of awards for encouragement, long-time sports administration volunteers, a sporting spirit, and major Sports Girl of the Year, and Sportswoman of the Year honours, and a guest speaker.<\/p>\n
Local women and girls who have been highlighted within awards nights over the years include javelin thrower Kathryn Mitchell, swimmer Shayne Reese, rower Katrina Werry, badminton player Kellie Lucas, basketballers Robyn Maher and Alison Tranquilli, and runner Sandra Griffin.<\/p>\n
\u201cMany of them have won world titles or have represented Australia at the Olympic games,\u201d Ms Jones said.<\/p>\n
Awards night guest speakers have included runner Raelene Boyle, Aussie rules football personality Tom Hafey, sports journalists Caroline Wilson and Sam Lane, and swimmer Dawn Fraser.<\/p>\n
The organisation aims to keep in touch with award winners and takes an interest in their ongoing sporting endeavours, and achievements.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe always follow up with them, and we love to hear back,\u201d committee member Marg Williams said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen Kathryn Mitchell competes, for example, I always send her an email from the club wishing her good luck in the event that\u2019s coming up.\u201d<\/p>\n