In front of a packed house at the Julia Creek Civic Centre last night, Diane Reeves from Normanton, representing the Carpentaria Shire, won the senior category in the 2002 Suncorp North Queensland Sportstar Awards. A humble and proud Diane, who had won the Gold Medal in the Clay Target Shooting event at the Commonwealth Games last year in Manchester was thrilled to win the award, saying that it was almost as good as winning the Gold medal last year. Diane picked up the $2000 prize money and will go on to represent North Queensland at the State Awards later this year.
Hosted by the McKinlay Shire Council in conjunction with the North Queensland Sports Foundation, the evening was a great success. No effort had been spared by the organisers to ensure the traditional warm hospitality, renowned in this part of Queensland. The Civic Centre had been transformed in a memorable outback theme, as hundreds of people from all over North Queensland converged on the small town of Julia Creek, for the annual awards, in the thirteenth year of the event.
Earlier in the evening, special guest, Winter Olympic gold medallist Steven Bradbury had entertained the enthusiastic crowd as he related the success he had experienced at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics. Compere Benny Pike from WIN Television delighted the large crowd with his normal banter, as he interviewed the record number of nominees. A total of 38 nominees were received.
Tony David, a World Champion in Darts and representing Townsville was awarded the Encouragement award in the senior category.
The standard in the junior category was very high, and the winner of this section was swimmer Christopher Elphinstone, representing the Bowen Shire. A very proud mum Julian, accepted the award on his behalf as Christopher is currently competing in the National Age Championships in Brisbane. Christopher has recently been selected in the Australian team, and has had to move to Mackay to get the coaching that he requires. His current coach is Pat Wright in Mackay.
The winner of the Encouragement Award in the junior category was Danielle Volling-Geoghegan, representing the Herberton Shire, who is currently excelling in the sport of athletics.
The Alan Ticehurst memorial team award, sponsored by BHP Billiton Award was won by the Cairns State High School under 15 soccer team. They had excelled last year in the Bill Turner cup.
