Page 22 - AFL QUEENSLAND 2012 YEAR IN REVIEW

VOLUNTEER
From the new and energized, to the experienced and knowledgeable, our volunteers are the lifeblood of football in Queensland and underpin the growth of AFL in our state.
Through hard work and passion, our club and league volunteers have taken the game to a new level of success in 2012.
The AFL Queensland Volunteer of the Year Awards Dinner in November recognised outstanding achievements in volunteering and coaching for 2012. Each state level winner was judged amongst hundreds of quality volunteers, each deserving of an award in their own right.
The Junior Club Volunteer of the Year was awarded to Sharon Webb of Caboolture JAFC. Sharon was pivotal in establishing new junior club Elimbah JAFC where she served as a mentor to the new committee and volunteers; all this in addition to her work on the Caboolture club committee and other community groups.
Grant Vayro of Nambour and Hinterland AFC was named Senior Club Volunteer of the Year. Grant has been a primary driver in
the club’s flood recovery over the past three years, his estimated thousands of hours work towards proposals, grants and funding has seen him become an inspiration to club members and players.
The Senior League Volunteer of the Year was awarded to John Hollander of AFL Cairns. John’s contribution to the game is significant, primarily since 2000 when he became a tribunal member for AFL Cairns, elevating to Chairman in 2005. John was also awarded the prestigious AFL Merit award in 2004
Steve Barlow, president of AFL Bundaberg Juniors won the award for Junior League Volunteer of the Year. In addition to his league roles Steve works tirelessly to grow the game by setting up junior match days, engaging parents and encouraging umpiring development.
Steve was also named AFL Queensland Volunteer of the Year. As part of the award, Steve and his wife Tina were flown to Melbourne to walk in the Toyota AFL Grand Final Parade and attend the Toyota AFL Grand Final.
Two Queenslanders – Michael O’Donoghue and Greg Kingston - received the prestigious AFL Merit Award, which recognizes outstanding service over a minimum ten year period.
For over 15 years, Michael O’Donoghue has been an exceptional volunteer for the Darling Downs league as well as umpiring and AFL Queensland representative squads.
Greg Kingston has clocked up 30 years of service to the game, starting at Mayne AFC. Over the past ten years Greg has become a voice of reason and integrity through his service to the AFL Queensland judiciary.
JACK BARRY
COACHING AND VOLUNTEER MANAGER
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2012 Year in Review