HELEN Mahoney’s extraordinary level of work within the Wallan Football Netball Club and the wider community has earned her the Sports Person of the Year from the Mitchell Shire Council.
Ms Mahoney, previously an Unsung Hero award recipient through the Riddell District Football Netball League in 2021, works as the secretary and registrar, doing plenty of work behind the scenes to ensure Wallan’s position as a constant threat on the field and on the court.
Ms Mahoney said she was thrilled that volunteers around the Shire could be recognised through such an award.
“It’s an honour, but there’s lots of people that could receive this award around the whole Shire,” she said.
“There’s plenty of people at the football club, cricket club, junior clubs, basketball clubs, Kilmore people, Seymour people, there’s lots of different people that could potentially receive this award. Every volunteer that contributes to the community is important.
“All clubs that have any sort of volunteers rely on them.”
Ms Mahoney said the ability to provide a connection with people around the club was the most special thing about her role.
“I think it’s the connection with the community. I’ve been involved with the Wallan Junior Football Club for a long time prior to being with the seniors, and now I’m seeing juniors that I saw start with their parents in under nines in the senior club. That’s the connection with those kids who go right through and see them go through the difficult times, then come out, mature with jobs and families, and turn into really nice people,” she said.
“People who have played with the club, been involved for a long time, they are desperate and would love to have another premiership. It’s part of the growth and development. If you have good juniors, good 19s and good reserves, you’ll have people who’ll want to come to the club, and they are all important to the club.
“It’s the same with netball. We now have plenty of netballers. In C and D grade, the numbers are good to have and it’s fantastic to have those people at the club.”
