Victoria's best and brightest were recognised at the Softball Victoria Annual General Meeting held on Saturday 10th September 2022.
Congratulations to all recipients.

COMMUNITY COACH AWARD

Tony Black (Casey Softball Association)

The Community Coach of the Year Award is awarded to Victorian softball coaches who have made a significant contribution to their team, club, association and/or State. This award recognises the exceptional contribution made by a Victorian community softball coach during 2021/22, with a focus on improving community softball through encouraging participation, development, integrity and making softball more welcoming, safe and inclusive.

MARGO KOSKELAINEN UMPIRE OF THE YEAR AWARD

Kerry Franklin (Werribee Softball Association)

This award is named in honour of Softball Victoria and Softball Australia Life Member Margo Koskelainen for her contribution to the Victorian and Australian Umpiring program over many years. Margo’s illustrious career and achievements within the umpiring community are indicative of the qualities required of the recipients of this award. The award is a perpetual shield, and an individual trophy is awarded to the most outstanding Victorian umpire of the year. 

MARY WALKINSHAW SCORING AWARD

Kristine Hill (Waverley Softball Association)

The Mary Walkinshaw Scoring Award is awarded to Victorian softball scorers who have demonstrated their skill and passion for softball scoring through their contribution to their team, club, Association and / State program. The award recognizes the most promising rising scorer, taking into account talent, commitment and dedication to improving their scoring knowledge and skills.

MERLE SHORT SERVICE AWARD

Merle Short was a long serving representative of Softball Victoria beginning in the early 1950’s when she served the Association in multiple administrative roles. The Merle Short Service Award was subsequently named in her honour in 1993, and is presented each year to softball volunteers who have demonstrated outstanding service within the softball community. Regardless of whether that service is on the diamond, coaching or umpiring, or off the diamond in administration roles, more than 100 volunteers have been recognised with the Merle Short Service award, honouring both the recipient and the award namesake.

On behalf of the wider softball community we congratulate the following members on being recognised for their valued contribution to our sport:

Ashleigh Cavalin (Casey Softball Association)
Belinda Rae (Melbourne Softball Association)
Danielle Senyschyn (Melbourne Softball Association)
Debbie Lee (Werribee Softball Association)
Debra Brackley (Geelong Softball Association)
Jell Radford (Melbourne Softball Association)
Kathy Goode (Softball Albury Wodonga)
Margaret Steendam (Casey Softball Association)
Melina Triulcio (Keilor Park & Districts Softball Association)
Poppy Bouhalis (Melbourne Softball Association)
Stephen Lloyd (Casey Softball Association)
Vicki Giddens (Casey Softball Association)

ELAINE DUYVESTYN OAM

And finally we’d again like to congratulate and acknowledge the service to softball by Elaine Duyvestyn.  Elaine was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the general division of the Queen’s Birthday honours list and is one of the longest serving administrators in Victorian softball.

Her involvement in softball began as a player at Fawkner Park in 1968, before moving into coaching and various club committee roles for her beloved Wingers Softball Club. Elaine has been a regular administrator for the Melbourne Softball Association since 1982 and has also held administration positions with the Victorian Softball Association/Womens Amateur Softball Council of Victoria, the forerunner to Softball Victoria.

Softball Victoria congratulates Elaine Duyvestyn on being awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the general division of the Queen’s Birthday honours list.