2013 State Volunteer of the Year Winners
Each year the AFL recognises volunteers/administrators for their outstanding contribution to Australian Football. Each state and territory selects a State Volunteer of the Year award winner who receives:
- 2 x tickets to the Centre Square Function at the Toyota AFL Grand Final
- 2 x return flights to Melbourne for Grand Final weekend (except Victoria)
- Accommodation for 3 nights (Thurs-Sat) (incl. breakfast)
- The opportunity to walk in the Toyota AFL Grand Final Parade
Congratulations to the following people who have been recognised as the 2013 State Volunteers of the Year
STATE | NOMINEES | CLUB / LEAGUE / DISTRICT | YEARS OF SERVICE |
New South Wales/ACT | David Burgess | AFL Greater Sydney Juniors | 10 |
Northern Territory | Peter Wunungmarra | Eagles FC | 20 |
Queensland | Deion Menzies | AFL Brisbane Juniors | 4+ |
South Australia | Peter Chapman | South Adelaide FC | 22 |
Tasmania | Barry Walker | North West Burnie | 40 |
Victoria | Mick Psaila | St Albans FC | 27 |
Western Australia | Luke McNiece | Coolbinia Bombers | 10 |
NSW/ACT – David Burgess
- David started his time in the AFL GSJ as the Auskick Coordinator for the Hornsby club. He reinvigorated their program and then went on to lead the club for a number of years as President.
- During his time as President he helped re build a club that was at a time struggling to find a foothold in a non traditional AFL area. The club is now one of the most respected among the GSJ network, has built a great culture and a strong player base to remain a viable club for many years.
- David has served for seven years in some capacity on the regional committee that oversees the largest junior competition in the state. He has, for the past 4 years acted as Chairman. Through this time, David has guided the clubs and the competition to a level of which any volunteer administrator should be proud.
- David has had many challenges during his time of Chairman. He has supported the AFL to merge three junior associations into one, been at the forefront of the transition to Sunday football and embraced divisionalisation and all the challenges that come with an ever expanding competition.
- Through this time, David has never lost his calm and reassuring demeanor. He has the respect of all the clubs and officials at all levels of the game in Sydney. He is a sounding board for volunteers and full time employees alike and has never been anything short of outstanding in his commitment. His contribution to AFL in Sydney should not be underestimated.
NT – Peter Wunungmurra
- Peter Wunungmurra has selflessly volunteered as an active member for AFL football, in the remote Arnhem Land community of Gapuwiyak for over 20 years.
- Peter started his career as a player before taking up coaching his local team the Eagles and then later also taking on the role as manager. When a knee injury ended his playing days, Peter’s desire to remain active in footy saw him eventually become one of the main driving forces behind the regions football program.
- Peter’s strong desire to be involved in footy within the community see’s him fulfilling roles such as, Auskick coordinator, ensuring that matches are umpired as well as being heavily involved in the administration of the local program. These are all challenging roles within the community that has a population of around a 1000 people with a participation rate of around 68%.
- Peter’s has also ensured that he has maintained his accreditation, and has most recently completed a refresher course (Level One – Umpiring). In his role as Head Umpire Coach, Peter also assists the local Regional Development Manager with running Basic Umpire Courses within the community.
- Peter also likes to keep his family involved and his wife, Raylene, time keeps and runs the scoreboard every weekend for games in Gapuwiyak.
QLD – Deion Menzies
- Deion has served his 2nd year as President of AFL Brisbane Juniors after previously serving as a Director for 2 years.
- For the 4th year in succession participation numbers have grown (to over 6,500) which has resulted in more teams.
- Deion is also the Queensland Under 18 Girls coach and has been very proactive in trying to grow female participation . Deion is also highly involved with the NEAFL club Redland AFC.
- Deion also helps out AFL Queensland where ever he can, such as photographer for Grand Finals and events where others have been unavailable. Previous to his League role, Deion was an AFLBJ club president and coached senior community teams.
- Deion ensures that governance and integrity of the competition is at very high standard. He always demonstrates integrity and is a great leader within the game.
- Deion's leadership is his primary quality. As a leader he engages the people around him before making any decisions. He listens intently and includes people in the decision making process.
- Deion is open and honest. Further, you will see Deion everywhere - at junior games, at senior games, at women's games. He is always involved and going beyond measure.
SA – Peter Chapman
- Peter started by getting involved via Happy Valley PS as his son started to play the game. As a parent with a son involved Peter gladly put time and effort into football at Happy Valley Primary School through Coaching and later as delegate. He followed his son into Community Club football also coaching at junior level with Port Noarlunga Football Club.
- Peter’s real passion for Junior Football shines through when ( now that his son is no longer involved and Peter doesn’t have that emotional tie) he is still putting many volunteers hours into his current roles of South Adelaide FC Mini League Manager and SASFA Panther League Zone Manager both roles of which has seen 15 years of dedicated service.
- His enthusiasm to give the Schools opportunity and support in promoting football is infectious and never wanes. He is as enthusiastic in his roles currently as he has ever been. A true reflection of the care and emotional tie he has with Junior Football.
TAS – Barry Walker
- Barry has been a major contributor in the development of junior football in Tasmania. His work in the North West of the state has been exceptional.
- For 40 years he has been directly involved in the administration of the major junior football competition in the region that has spawned many current and past AFL stars.
- Barry won an AFL Merit Award in 2002, is a life member of South Burnie Football Club and Darwin Football Association and was presented with Burnie City Council Volunteer Award (10,000 hours) in 2005
- Barry is the Co author of the Darwin Football Association Jubilee Record “Fifty Seasons of Football 1951 – 2000” and also Co authored the Darwin Football Association “Decade Number Six of a Tasmanian Country Competition – 2000-2010”
- The Barry Walker Medal has been awarded since 1993 for Best Player in Darwin Football Association Reserves Grand Final
- Barry has also administered the local high school competition for well over 10 years.
- Barry’s philosophy is always that any young person who would like to be provided with a game of football deserves the opportunity to play the game – this philosophy led to him co-founding the NWJFL and is what still drives him today.
VIC - Mick Psaila
- Mick Psaila was a promising young basketballer. He crossed to football in 1986 joining St Albans Football Club. He played Reserves and Senior football with St Albans until retiring after the 1993 season.
- Mick coached St Albans Reserves to back-to-back premierships in 1991 and 1992.
- Mick coached all of St Albans’ junior teams (Under 12, 14, 16 and 18) over a period of several years.
- Served as Senior Chairman of Selectors from 1993 to 1996; 11 years as club President from 1997 to 2002 and 2006 to 2009; 15 years as Tribunal Advocate; and 15 years as Club Delegate on the League’s Committee of Management.
- Mick was elected to the Board of the St Albans Sports Club in 2008, and was elected as Chairman of the Sports Club Board in 2012, a role that he still maintains today.
- After retiring as President of St Albans Football Club following the 2009 football season, Mick was elected to the Board of the Western Region Football League. A community football traditionalist, Mick’s ambition in joining the League Board was “to keep the bastards honest.”
- Mick was appointed Chairman of the League’s Strategic Planning Sub-Committee in early 2010 and became convinced of the need for independent governance. In September 2011, the WRFL Board established a Rules Review Sub-Committee, again chaired by Mick Psaila. in June 2012 Club Delegates voted unanimously in support of ceding all powers other than admission of new clubs and election of Board members to an independent Board.
- Mick resigned from the WRFL Board in May 2013. He continues to serve as Chairman of the League’s ongoing Rules Review Committee; and as Chairman of the St Albans Sports Club Board.
- Over the 27 years since first joining St Albans Football Club, Mick has earned a reputation as a committed and hard-working administrator with only the best interests of his club, the League and Australian Football in general at heart. His legacy to football in Melbourne’s west has been significant and visionary. Without Mick’s leadership, it is doubtful that independent governance of the WRFL could have been achieved, let alone with the unanimous support of member clubs. His chairmanship of the League’s 2010 Strategic Planning Sub-Committee has led to such achievements as the move of headquarters to Whitten Oval; a 250% increase in the number of WRFL umpires over the past 3 years; and the development with WRFL and AFLV assistance of three new football clubs in the Wyndham LGA.
WA – Luke McNiece
- Luke McNiece is an inspirational leader of our footy club. Last season was the club’s 25th anniversary and Luke ensured this momentous occasion did not pass without celebration. A fantastic night was held whereby past presidents, players, coaches and families were invited to a 25th anniversary dinner which was a wonderful success.
- Towards the end of last season, the club suffered its saddest day when our Year 12 captain, very, very sadly, committed suicide. Luke rose to the occasion and lead all at the club through very dark days. His commitment to the immediate teammates of the player was incredible, organising professional counselling and ensuring these young men were well cared for. Luke was also instrumental in providing the impetus to the development of Royals 1Life Round, a District-wide event to raise awareness about suicide prevention and mental health issues.
- Luke's commitment to driving our junior girls team and our junior Auskick Bomberettes team has ensured these female teams have been supported well this season. He often attends the games and training sessions.
- Also this year, Luke, with the assistance of the committee, established an inaugural Sunday Mods team. It was recognised that a number of our mods players were Jewish and observed their religious beliefs by not playing on Saturdays. Luke was instrumental in liaising with the local Jewish School to develop a Sunday Mods team which now enjoys a game on Sunday mornings. This is a great example of Luke’s leadership and commitment to ensuring we, as a club, can give all boys and girls, regardless of their race, creed or religion a game of footy.
