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The annual Great Southern Volunteer Recognition Evening, part of National Volunteer Week, celebrates and recognises volunteers for their contributions to the community.

The event, held at Retravision Stadium in Albany on Monday 20 May 2024, featured recorded messages from His Excellency the Honourable Christopher John Dawson APM, 34th Governor of Western Australia, and the Hon Don Punch MLA, Minister for Volunteering.

The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries presented 2 awards: the Mike Stidwell Medal, and the Great Southern Service to Sport Award.

The medal honours the memory of Mike Stidwell and his selfless, long-term contribution to sport and active recreation in the Great Southern. In addition to his community endeavours, Mike was the Regional Manager for more than 20 years at the former Department of Sport and Recreation.

This year’s recipient of the Mike Stidwell Medal was Tracey Menegola for her passionate volunteering in numerous, long-term administration related roles for hockey, athletics and orienteering. 

Ms Menegola has been a phenomenal coordinator and administrator for these sports in the Great Southern. Her achievements include her involvement in merging the local men’s and women’s hockey competitions into a single association and the securing and installation of the first synthetic hockey turf in Albany.

The Great Southern Service to Sport Award was awarded to Alice Rule OAM. Mrs Rule was recognised for a volunteering career spanning more than 70 years, as a player, coach, official and governance officer.

Mrs Rule played a critical role in the development of sporting and aquatic facilities in Albany, the introduction of masters’ and junior level hockey, and has also sat on the panel for the Albany Sportsperson of the Year Awards since 1960.

DLGSC would like to congratulate these two worthy recipients and commend them on their contributions to sport in the Great Southern region. National Volunteer Week runs from 20 to 26 May with the theme ‘Something for Everyone’. It is Australia’s largest celebration of volunteering.

DLGSC partners with the Albany and Regional Volunteer Service to deliver this important annual event.

Comments attributed to Mel Eastough, Regional Manager Great Southern, Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries:

“Volunteers are the lifeblood of sport in the Great Southern. We are proud to honour Mike Stidwell’s legacy by recognising the extraordinary and selfless people who have contributed so much to their community.

“Congratulations to Tracey and Alice who have, through life-long volunteering commitments, made a meaningful impact on the sporting landscape of the Great Southern region.”