South West finalist announced for The Sunday Times Volunteer Award Thursday, August 15, 2013 - 11:21 AM

Julie Fairclough from the Dunsborough Sharks Junior Football Club has been announced as the South West region's finalist for The Sunday Times Volunteer of the Year Award for 2013.

In her role as President of the Dunsborough Sharks JFC, Julie has progressed the club further within the Dunsborough community, which has resulted in remarkable participation numbers from 5 to 17 year olds.

For a town with a modest population size, the number of teams and young people playing Australian Rules football in Dunsborough is truly outstanding.

Chairman of the South West Regional Football Development Council and judging panel member Mr Paul Omodei said Julie was a highly deserving winner.

"Combining the duties of President, full-time work and also the mother of two young footballers, Julie sets a high standard in quality and quantity of volunteering," he said.

"Julie is widely respected within the club and also the Dunsborough community. This was clearly evident from the high amount of nominations she received for this year’s award. A total of 16 individual nominations were lodged on Julie’s behalf, all describing her as an amazing worker, ambassador and leader within the Dunsborough JFC.

"She truly deserves to be recognised and I’m delighted she can represent the SW region at the Sandover Medal presentation in September.”

The West Australian Football Commission presents The Sunday Times Volunteer of the Year Award annually to one of 17 regional and district finalists at the WAFL's Sandover Medal count.

All finalists are invited to the Sandover Medal presentation on Monday 16^th September at the Crown Ballroom, with the overall State winner announced on the night and receiving a trip for two to the AFL grand final where they march in the Grand Final parade. The prize also includes flights, accommodation and a grand final breakfast function. 

WA was the first State to recognise its volunteers on such a large scale. The award’s success has prompted the AFL to run the program nationwide.

Anyone involved in football at any level is eligible to be nominated for the award through their local region or district or by the WA Football Commission. 

In 2013, the number of nominations for volunteers across the state of WA increased dramatically to an outstanding total of 2115 nominations, which eclipses the previous record of 1482.

In the South West region for 2013 a 10 per cent increase in nominations from 148 to 162 was very well received.

Julie joins a long list of quality volunteers from the SW region who have been previously recognsied via this program.

2007    Alan Swarbrick            Donnybrook Football Club/South West Football League

2008    Tim Harrington           Lower South West Football League

2009    Craig Cahill                 South Bunbury Football Club/South West Football League (winner of WA Award)

2010    Paula Jackson              Collie Junior Football Club

2011    Shaun Quaife              Harvey Brunswick Junior Football Club/ South West Junior Football League

2012    Steve Cummings         Augusta-Margaret River Football Club/South West Football League