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Maddie Boyd, Cats AFLW; Dave Rea, Club Legends winner; Thys Heyns, Viva Energy General Manager
Refining; and Rocky Cranston, Cats AFLW |
David Rea, founder and president of Barwon Soccer Club has taken top gong in this year’s Viva Energy Geelong Refinery Club Legend Awards.
The judges could not look past Dave’s values of honesty, respect and hard work which shone through in his dedication and passion for the club. Since founding the club 26 years ago he has tirelessly worked to bring Barwon’s wide and diverse community together by nurturing a welcoming and inclusive environment at the club. From its humble beginnings the club is now one of Geelong’s largest community soccer clubs with over 500 members.
Commenting at the Club Legend Awards Dinner at GMHBA Stadium last night Dave said, “I love what I do so it’s a great honour to have won this award. My plan now is to put the prize money we’ve won into good use by setting up a fund to subsidise the fees for struggling families.
“I’d like to thank Viva Energy for this award and for introducing the Club Legends program which has had such a positive impact in assisting the Geelong sporting community.”
David’s efforts were rewarded with $5,000 as an individual prize and $5,000 for the Barwon Soccer Club.
Rodney Smith, ‘Smithy’, the all-rounder at Portarlington Demons Football Netball Club took out the Club Legend Runner Up Award. An ever-present stalwart of the club, Smithy was recognised for his community values, willingness and generosity of spirit.
The People’s Choice Award went to Scott Smith, junior football coordinator at Newcomb Power Football Netball Club for his inclusive approach in promoting junior football for kids of all abilities and huge efforts to improve junior facilities.
This year, an inaugural Refinery Legend award was created to recognise outstanding efforts of Viva Energy employees in the wider community. Jason Jozwik, Mechanical Fitter at the Geelong Refinery won the award for his exceptional efforts in raising community awareness of motor neurone disease and raising over $84,000 to fight the disease.
Viva Energy General Manager Refining, Thys Heyns said, “It is truly an honour to acknowledge the efforts and contributions of not only our winners but of all those nominated by their clubs in recognition of their tremendous community achievements.
“We are incredibly proud to be part of a community that is made up of so many inspiring role models. It is the efforts of these people, toiling away behind the scenes, that forms the backbone of our great Geelong community.”
Rodney and Scott both received a $2,000 individual prize as well as matching amount for their sports club while Jason won $2,000 for himself and $2,000 for a charity of his choice.
The remaining finalists, who each received $1,000 for themselves and their clubs are:
| Geoff McDonald |
Athletics Chilwell |
| Peter White |
Barwon Rowing Club |
| Robert Malcolm |
Drysdale Cricket Club |
| Jenny Fagan |
Geelong Amateurs |
| Daniel Noonan |
Geelong Buccaneers American Football Club |
| Sean Clark |
Geelong Cycling Club |
| Margaret Harry |
Geelong Dragon Boat Club |
| Romeo Purlijq |
Geelong Soccer & Sports Club |
| Jim Rendevski |
Geelong Soccer & Sports Club |
| John Beckworth |
Geelong Swimming Club |
| Rohan Greaves |
Geelong Touch Association |
| John Biviano |
Geelong West Giants |
| Garry Birch |
North Geelong Football Netball Club |
| Christine Scott |
North Geelong Secondary College |
| Alison Roberts-Wray |
Queenscliff Lonsdale Yacht Club |
| John Robert |
St Albans Football Club |
| Sue Cormack |
St Joseph’s Football and Netball Club |
About Viva Energy Geelong Refinery Club Legend Awards
The Viva Energy Geelong Refinery Club Legend Awards is a community initiative established by Viva Energy to acknowledge inspirational role models at sports clubs within the Greater Geelong region. In total more than $50,000 in prize money is won each year, celebrating the people who freely give their time and energy to help those around them. 2018 is the second year the program has been run. Daniel Menzel has been the Cat’s Club Legend Ambassador. Visit: https://clublegend.com.au
About Viva Energy
Viva Energy is one of Australia’s leading energy companies and supplies approximately a quarter of the country’s liquid fuel requirements. It is the exclusive supplier of high quality Shell fuels and lubricants in Australia through an extensive network of more than 1,100 Shell branded service stations across the country.
Viva Energy owns and operates the strategically located Geelong Refinery, in Victoria, which converts imported and locally sourced crude oil into petroleum products including gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, aviation gasoline, gas, solvents, bitumen and other specialty products.
Viva Energy operates bulk fuels, aviation, bitumen, marine, chemicals and lubricants businesses supported by a nationwide fuel supply chain with an extensive import, storage and distribution infrastructure network, including a presence at 52 airports and airfields. Visit www.vivaenergy.com.au