Mount Isa judo star wins Junior Award
From an impressive list of a total of 39 nominees from all over North Queensland, the North Queensland Sports Foundation is proud once again to salute its many talented sportsmen and sportswomen. In front of a large audience at the Arthur Titley Centre in Charters Towers, the winners of the Suncorp North Queensland Sportstar Awards were honoured on Saturday 11 March 2006. Jointly hosted by the Councils of Charters Towers City and Dalrymple, the venue had been transformed into a “flying forties” theme which enhanced the impressive mood for the gala night..
The special guest for the evening, Rugby League legend Kevie Walters shared many of the unknown stories both of his career in the sport and his personal life, as well as his future hopes in a humourous and honest interview with compere, WIN TV’s Trevor Roberts.
Winner of the Senior Award was Mackay cyclist Chloe MacPherson, who had a very successful year in 2005, both in Australia and overseas, winning a number of championships in track cycling. Her career looks very bright, having moved to Brisbane, to gain more experience. , Making the win even more memorable, this was the first time that Mackay had snared the Senior Award since the event was started in 1990. A delighted Chloe received the $2000 winner’s cheque from Brad Steele from Suncorp, thanking her family and Mackay cycling guru John O’Meara.
Runner up in the Senior Category, and receiving $500 and the Encouragement Award was the Dalrymple Shire’s Raymond Abdy in the sport of athletics. Raymond has become an inspiration to people having overcome a serious car accident, which almost claimed his life. His mother Lorna described the huge pride that she has for her son, and how he has determinedly performed well in athletics, overcoming many obstacles on his emotional journey.
The Winner of the Junior Award, who received $1000, was Mount Isa’s James Edgar. James has enjoyed a very successful year in the sport of judo. He was unable to attend the evening, but received the news of his win by telephone on the night. The grateful and surprised reaction from James was broadcast to the audience as he was told of his win by Kevie Walters from the stage in Charters Towers. Accepting the Award on Kim’s behalf was Mount Isa City Councillor Brett Peterson. Runner up was Mackay’s Ashleigh Stebbeings, who has excelled in the sport of barefoot water skiing. Mackay City Council Councillor Don Rolls accepted the Encouragement Award and $500 cheque on her behalf.
A popular winner of the Alan Ticehurst Memorial Award for service to North Queensland Sport was Kay Keys representing the Thuringowa City Council. After decades of voluntary work with pony club sports, Kay humbly explained that she had enjoyed every minute of the experience. She will no doubt enjoy her prize which was a weekend at South Molle Island.
The Chair’s Choice Award went to Narelle Carroll from Cairns in recognition of her tireless work in the sport of hockey. A very proud Narelle gratefully accepted her award from the Foundation Chair, Margaret Cochrane.
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