Kaniva Rifle Club member David Rich has won the prestigeous Horsham Sports and Community Club’s Wimmera Sports Star of the Year Award.  David, from Serviceton has achieved much at an international level in the last 12 months.

In January, he won the New Zealand “Ballinger Belt” Series Championship, the ‘Holy Grail’ of rifle shooting in New Zealand after trailing going into the final round.  David took out the title by an impressive 4 points from his nearest rival and fended off another 182 competitors from around the world to establish his superiority.  In September last year, he finished second in the USA “Spirit of America” Rifle Championships held at Raton New Mexico where he finished an impressive one point behind a US Marine who does nothing but shoot full time in the us Military.

As a long range shooting specialist, he knows exactly how to stay on target back to 1000 yards.  He has the uncanny ability to adjust his sight allowing for wind and mirage and repeatedly hit a very small target with open sights almost a kilometre away.   Champions of the old days like Laurie Hair, Laurie Crouch and Eric Thompson have been his inspiration and David paid his respects to State coach and Kaniva Gun Club member Stewart Goodwin as the biggest influence on his sporting involvement as he accepted his award from Horsham Sports and Community Club Board member Elaine Breuer. 

David’s goal is to stand on the podium of the World Titles in 2011 and with his form who could say that this will not come to fruition. He also thanked his wife for her support and encouraged all those in the audience to persevere and keep focussed on their dreams because they do happen if you are prepared to work hard.

Inducted into the Wimmera Hall of Fame was Captain of the Australian Glenn Cup Shooting Team Ashley Bolwell – a modest Champion who is continuing to post some great results at state and national level.

Sports Foundation grants were distributed to Ashlynn McKenzie (Netball), Trent Orval (Shooting), Oscar McDonald (Tennis), Lauren Hotker (Netball) and Siubhan McKenzie (Netball) to assist them with their sporting development.

Guest speaker for the night was Beijing Olympic Silver Medallist Cameron McKenzie-McHarg whose story inspired the audience.  Coming from Leongatha in Gippsland, Cameron spoke of his love for a variety of sports, being drafted to the Western Bulldogs in the AFL then deciding to turn his sporting attention to rowing.  His insight into the world of elite rowing was indeed an eye opener.  Keeping things simple seemed to be the key theme to his crew winning the silver medal at the Beijing Olympics in the Mens Coxless Fours.

Other winners announced on the night included:

Tylers Hardware & Rural Supplies: VETERAN OF THE YEAR - Laurie Crouch (Rifle Shooting)

Wimmera Mail Times: WOMAN IN SPORT AWARD - Debra Carey (Netball)

Barham Insurance Agencies P/L: UNSUNG HERO OF THE YEAR - Joint Winners Donna O’Connor and Peta Adamson (Volleyball)

Ross Both & Associates Wimmera Eye Care: SCHOOL OF THE YEAR - St Arnaud Secondary College

Saxton Rural Pty Ltd; ADMINISTRATOR/OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR - Graeme Davison

Wimmera Trophies & Gifts: CLUB OF THE YEAR - JOINT AWARD - Horsham Volleyball Association AND Warracknabeal Bowling Club

Atlas Fuels P/L: TEAM OF THE YEAR - Horsham Volleyball Open Boys Team

Access for All Abilities: SPORTS STAR OF THE YEAR - Donna Cashin (Lawn Bowls) State Level award - Shae Howie (Table Tennis) Local level award

Bird Mobile Crane Services: COACH OF THE YEAR - David Berry (Volleyball)

Goolum Goolum: KOORI SPORTS STAR OF THE YEAR - Jacob Cooke-Harrison (Football)

3WM: TOM GAWITH SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD - Cory Watts (Motocross)

Uni. Of Ballarat WestVic Academy of Sport: JUNIOR ATHLETE OF THE YEAR shared by James Robertson (Lawn Bowls) and Oscar McDonald (Tennis)

To view details of category awards, use the navigation menu on the left to access more information and photographs of each category award winner.