Helen continues to inspire and prove to be a role model for women in the masters category of sports.

Helen has excelled at state and national titles in 2010, winning gold at short and long course titles.

Helen swims for the Powerpoints Club where she picked up the Titles and Club Points awards.

Helen serves as a perfect example of life doesn’t finish in swimming when you get out of your teenage years.

Saxton Rural : AMINISTRATOR/OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR - Tim Hopper (Cricket)

Tim has revolutionised cricket in Horsham with the introduction of the MIXX FM 20-20 competition.

Tired of watching his beloved game slip by the wayside, Tim put his head down and with his band of helpers set up franchise 20-20 cricket.

Tim galvanised the sponsors, organised the player draft, and set up a competition utilising the new City Oval lights, which has got administrators talking right across the state.

Tim’s passion for the game and his tireless work together with his band of helpers has set the standard for organisations looking to breathe life back into flagging competitions.

Wimmera Trophies & Gifts: CLUB OF THE YEAR - Horsham Football Netball Club

The sustained period of excellence over the past ten years has seen Horsham become the benchmark football netball club in country Victoria.

Under the stewardship of long serving chairman Bruce Hartigan and now Laurie Taylor, the club continues to lead the pack in administration and onfield excellence in both football and netball.

8 WFL premierships in a row is testament to the club’s sustained professionalism.

For the second year in a row the girls have performed at country, state and national level. In 2010 the team won the division 2 Victorian Country Championships, won division 1 State Schools Cup and were unlucky in finishing 14th at the National Schools Cup winning 4 of 9 games and losing 5 in three setters. Overall the team played 47 games for 32 wins at a winning percentage of 68% mostly against teams older than them.

Kylie, a level 1 coach aspiring to level 2, has had a sustained period of successfully coaching calisthenics, but it was in 2010 that Kylie, together with a pint sized pocket rocket in Grace O’Donnell-Clancy put Horsham calisthenics on the statewide map.

Not to be put off by statewide rankings of clubs, Kylie and Grace decided to try their luck at getting in the state team.

It is not very often, if at all, that team members are chosen from clubs ranked in the bottom rungs of the top ten.

But this didn’t deter the two as they pushed on and despite not faring very well in their first audition they bounced back in their second, and Grace won a spot in the team – the only country based member to do so.

Born and bred in Murtoa Frank has been active in the RSL, Historical Society, Cemetery Trust, Minyip Murtoa FNC, Murtoa Showgrounds Committee, Murtoa Angling Club, Murtoa/Marma Race Club Committee and Murtoa Men’s Shed.

Frank is a tireless worker, establishing and maintaining gardens and grounds and he has certainly earned a reputation in the Murtoa community as a willing and energetic participant in any community activity.

Certainly a worthy recipient of our Unsung Hero award.

2010 was a big year for Chloe Bibby.

At just 12 years of age she won the Warrack Eagles 13 and under netball best and fairest, was a member of their grand final winning team shooting 240 goals for the year.

Chloe topped off her year by being selected in the Victorian PSSA netball team which won gold at the National Titles.

Not satisfied with excelling at netball Chloe also was the School Sport Victoria state champion for discus and followed that effort with a 14th place finish at National Titles.

Now basketball awaits as Chloe attempts to get in the Vic Country U14 team.

At the ripe old age of 76 you’d be forgiven for thinking that it’s time to just send the odd bowl down the green and be happy that you’re in a position to do that.

Not Max Woodward. The veteran legend of Wimmera sport won North Wimmera bowls singles and fours titles, Group fours title and then won the Group singles title in handsome fashion winning 25-17.

Max has been Warrack Golf’s club champion for the past five successive years, having also won it in 2000-01 and 2003-04.

St Malachy’s is proud of the development of their sports and health program, which is instilling lifelong healthy habits in their students.

Initiatives include a 15 minute morning fitness program, bi-annual participation in Jump Rope for Heart, annual participation in Wheelchair sports, swimming, interschool athletics, connections with local sporting community, growing their own vegetable garden and the cream of the program is their new multi sports facility with a full sized hockey field, soccer and a six lane running track incorporating a 100m running track.

Ben was a member of the Horsham Saints U17 football team, and played a few senior games as a 15 year old.

Played “B” grade cricket for Homers in the HCA as well as a few “A” grade games as well.

Was a draftee in the inaugural 20-20 competition and gained selection for Victoria’s Imparja Cup team.

He also was a member of the Volleyball Horsham “B” grade premier team.

Kris won 4 matches out of a possible 6 in “A” grade to lead Horsham to victory in the annual Kerrie Tepper table tennis tournament.

Kris won a silver medal in the Tri State Games for table tennis and paired with Shae Howie to win gold in the mixed doubles.

Kris also won a bronze medal in the 50m freestyle swimming event.

In 2010 Josh won four state titles in lawn bowls in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and SA.

At the Australian Classic Josh won the singles, pairs and mixed pairs titles.

Just recently Josh was selected in the Australian team to compete in South Africa in May at the World Championships.

Josh also picked up a bronze medal at the Cerebral Palsy Games with the Victorian soccer team.

Brent is currently joint 2011 playing coach for Harrow Balmoral, after leading the club to Grand final in 2010 which is of a significant achievement; as the club lost 8 key positional and match winner players from there 2009 premiership team.

Brent at the stage of his career where he could of retired; instead he has shown what sort of characteristic sports person he is.  Brent accepted the 2010 coaching and playing position knowing that there was an enormous amount of work behind the scenes in meeting, spending time with people, providing the leadership and negotiating people in order to place a competitive football team on the field in a short amount of time.

Fully supported by the Harrow/Balmoral football netball Board Brent was able to inspire, motivate and lead the 2010 team senior side, comprising mostly of players from U17.

A combination of Brent’s friendly out going personality; ability to make people feel included; Brent has this marvellous and natural ability to make people feel welcomed to his community.

In Brent’s position of influence at the Harrow Balmoral football club it is more than just being the coach. Its about bring people together, making people feel included; and the capacity to inspire the community.