IN PICTURES: Dedicated community volunteers celebrated at 2023 Mike Stidwell Medal presentation

There was a crowd at the Retravision Stadium on Monday, May 20, for the 2023 Mike Stidwell Medal presentation to recognise and celebrate the dedicated contributions individuals have made to the Great Southern community. Great Southern hockey stalwart Tracey Menegola took out the top gong for her decades of volunteer service to local hockey. The award is held in honour of Mike Stidwell, who made constant contributions to sport and recreation in the Great Southern region for many years. The presentation took place during National Volunteer Week. The Great Southern Service to Sport Award was awarded to Alice Rule OAM for her seven decades dedicated to sport in the region as a player, coach, official and administrator. Mike Stidwell’s wife Jill and granddaughter Sienna Hepworth presented the winners with their awards. Although Ms Menegola’s and Ms Rule’s outstanding achievements were highlighted, many others were awarded certificates of appreciation for their volunteer efforts with multiple community groups in the region. Earlier, patrons were treated to a speech from Don Titterton, who talked of his life through volunteering, before a presentation about the Albany Free Community Christmas Luncheon initiative by Steven Marshall.