Each year the AFL recognises volunteers/administrators for their outstanding contribution to Australian Football through the State/Territory Volunteer of the Year program and by providing AFL Merit Awards.
Each State and Territory selects a State/Territory Volunteer of the Year award winner who receives:
STATE / TERRITORY | NOMINEES | PRIMARY CLUB / LEAGUE / REGION |
NSW/ACT | Merinda Roll | Dubbo Junior Football Club |
NT | Peter Leonard | Wanderers Football Club |
QLD | Debra Macqueen | Morningside AFC |
SA | Andrew Frazer | Bridgewater Callington Raiders Football Club |
TAS | Barry Hassett | Glenorchy Football Club |
VIC | Rex Ashenden | Endeavor Hills Football Club |
WA | John Sobolewski | Sorrento Duncraig Junior Football Club |

Merinda has been involved with the Dubbo Junior FC for the last 4 years and this season stepped up to be the first Female President in the Club’s history. Not only is she an inspiration to all the other volunteers but she also co-ordinated the Club’s Auskick program and acts as the Clubs registrar on game day for all the junior teams so she can greet every player and parent/guardian at the ground each week.

Peter has been involved with Australian Football in the Northern Territory for over 15 years at both NTFL and NEAFL level. Peter is a life member of the Wanderers Football Club and provided 15 years of service to the club as a Coach across numerous junior and senior teams. Peter also gave 10 years of service to the NT Thunder in the NEAFL competition as well as volunteered to be water carrier for the NT Thunder VFLW team in its inaugural season.

Deb has been involved in the Morningside AFC for the last 14 years in various roles and is the Clubs current Secretary. She hosts the Clubs Pink Panther Luncheon which raises over $5,000 each year for Breast Cancer. Even on weekends without football Deb can often be found at the Club cleaning the changerooms or planning for the coming weeks. She is also the founder of the Clubs first womens team which won the premiership in their inaugural year.

Andrew has provided 20+ years of outstanding service to the Bridgewater Callington Raiders FC and is currently a committee member with the position of Facilities Manager. Andrew is responsible for the smooth functioning of the ovals at both Bridgewater and Callington and has driven the completion of renovations at Bridgewater oval as well as continuing with the week to week preparation of the oval for match days, assisting with the merchandise program, running of the canteen and assisting with junior coaching clinics at primary schools.

Barry has been a volunteer at the Glenorchy FC for over 50 years. He is well-known throughout football circles for his passion, dedication, sacrifice and love of the club and is often described as the heart and soul of the club. A humble man, that loves his football club he can be found at the club almost every day of the week, whether it be preparing team-sheets, washing jumpers, cleaning change rooms, pumping up footballs or giving a young player some words of wisdom. Barry attends every training session from pre-season to the last one of the year and at every game bright and early, including the road trips.

Rex is a founding member of the Endeavour Hills FC and has been involved at the Club for 30+ years. As a current committee member Rex was also integral in setting up the clubs womens teams in 2015 and continues to help around the club with everything from dishing up dinners on Wed nights, umpire escorting, taking money at the gate and cleaning up after the games. He was also integral in securing a major upgrade to clubs changerooms with support from local council.

John has provided 15+ years of outstanding service to the Sorrento Duncraig JFC and the last 3 as President. John has previously been a Coach at the Club, run Auskick programs and assisted with Junior girls teams. He is now working towards establishing an Inclusion program for 2020 on top of already presiding over one of the biggest Junior Clubs nationwide with over 1,000 members.