Inaugural Sports Awards Night Celebrates Excellence

On Monday 2 December the Catherine McAuley College Bendigo (CMCB) community gathered in the Marian Theatre for the inaugural Sports Awards Night. It was amazing to witness such a vibrant celebration of athletic excellence and camaraderie among students from Year 7 to Year 12. This new event brought together athletes, coaches, families and friends for an evening dedicated to excellence, inspiration and mutual admiration.

Sports Stars of the Year Awards

The evening began with the presentation of the Sports Star of the Year Awards at each year level. To qualify for this honour, students demonstrated exceptional qualities that aligned with the ethos of the College, such as perseverance, respect and a positive attitude. These awards celebrate students who have represented the College at multiple sport days, showcasing not only their talent and dedication, but also their commitment to teamwork and sportsmanship. They have inspired their peers through their hard work and enthusiasm, embodying the spirit of competition, while fostering a supportive environment for others.

The selection of these students as our Sports Stars of the Year, was a way to recognise their contributions to our Sports Program and highlight their role in promoting a culture of excellence in sport within our College.

We are very proud of the achievements of these incredible young people and we congratulate them on their success.

SPORTS STARS OF 2024

• Year 7 Boys: Jimi Read
• Year 7 Girls: Mila Childs
• Year 8 Boys: Nicholas Hietbrink
• Year 8 Girls: Imogen Brown
• Year 9 Boys: Cash Caldis
• Year 9 Girls: Lexie Fennell
• Year 10 Boys: Miller Nihill
• Year 10 Girls: Charli McInerney
• Year 11 Boys: Oscar Cail
• Year 11 Girls: Neve Pinner and Tess Mills
• Year 12 Boys: Daniel Noden
• Year 12 Girls: Telani Bibby

Outstanding Achievement Awards

In addition, to these awards, many Outstanding Achievement awards were presented. These awards celebrated the remarkable accomplishments of our students who have shown exceptional talent in achieving the prestigious distinction of winning a State Title, either as an individual or as a member of a team. All of these recipients demonstrated incredible resilience and teamwork. As we recognise their hard work and commitment, we also understand that these achievements are not just about the medals, but about the lessons learned, the friendships forged and the memories created along the way. Each of our award recipients has inspired us with their passion and it was an honour to celebrate their outstanding achievements as a community.

INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENTS 2024

• Zarah Reynolds: SSV State Champion – 15yr Girls 50m Freestyle & 15yr Girls 50m Backstroke
• Jorja Morrison: SSV State Champion – 18-20yr Girls Long Jump

TEAM ACHIEVEMENTS 2024

• SSV State Champion – 15yr Girls 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay Team: Zarah Reynolds, Holly Hembrow, Zoe Reynolds, Stephanie Ingham
• SSV State Champions – 15yr Girls 4 x 50m Medley Relay Team: Zarah Reynolds, Holly Hembrow, April Downing, Stephanie Ingham
• SSV State Champions – 18-20yr Girls 4 x 100m Relay Team: Imogen Brown, Hannah Cochrane, Charli McInerney, Jorja Morrison
• Year 8 Girls Netball Team – SSV State Champions – Year 8 Girls Competition and Victorian Schools Netball Champions – Junior Girls Section: Lexie Arundell, Molly Beasley, Imogen Brown, Mia Cox, Eva Grant, Sophie McDermott, Tarli Nihill, Macey Pinner, Elodie Sharman and Lilly Teuma
• Junior Girls Football Team – SSV State Champions: Molly Beasley, Georgia Bray, Imogen Brown, Layla Burn, Poppy Carter, Mila Childs, Charlotte Comer, Milla Dalton, Elke Fletcher, Eva Grant, Evie Gretgrix, Quinn Guthrie, Sophie Healy, Ava Hope, Forest Jackson-Leahy, Lexi Jones, Ruby Kelly, Zara Mould, Tarli Nihill, Macey Pinner, Etta Place, Elodie Sharman, Marlie Skinner, April Wainwright
• Year 7 Girls Basketball – SSV State Champions: Poppy Carter, Mila Childs, Elle Gilchrist, Harper Gordon, Ellie Macumber, Isabella McEvoy, Lilly McMaster, Etta Place, Sienna Raco
• Year 8 Girls Basketball – SSV State Champions: Lexie Arundell, Molly Beasley, Mia Cox, Poppy Gladstone, Eva Grant, Sophie McDermott, Macey Pinner, Elodie Sharman, Lilly Teuma and Mia Wardell

Tim Ledwidge Memorial Medal

The highlight of the night was the traditional Tim Ledwidge Memorial Medal Vote Count. This award is presented in honour of past staff member, Tim Ledwidge, who’s legacy is synonymous with the College. Medals are awarded to the best netballer in the Senior Netball Team and the best footballer in the Premier League Football Team. Votes are given across all games played in each sport, with the winners being the players who accrue the most votes from all games and competitions played.

The Netball Vote Count was epic, as the winner was not decided until the last round of competition. In the end neither Neve Pinner or Ava Nihill could be separated, both finishing on a staggering 77 votes. The result was very well received given that both were such worthy winners. The brilliant Harriett Whiteacre rounded out the top three, polling 59 votes.

The Football Vote Count was also a thrilling one, and again came down to the final round with both Jack Mc Mahon and Oliver Morris polling well in the Grand Final. It was Captain courageous Jack McMahon who finished on 50 votes, just 4 votes ahead of Oliver Morris on 46. Logan Kilcullen also had a great year, finishing third on 38 votes. Rounding out the top four was Jaidi Jackson-Leahy on 34 votes.

All of our winners had inspiring journeys and their dedication will leave a lasting impact on their peers and teammates, as well as the broader community.

The night concluded with a short slideshow that highlighted a plethora of our College’s sporting successes. These photos of achievement emphasised the importance of teamwork, perseverance and the values that participation in sport instils in young athletes. The inaugural Sports Awards Night celebrated individual achievements and fostered a sense of community and pride among the students.

At the end of the evening, attendees expressed enthusiasm for this new celebration and were eagerly anticipating next year’s event, keen to build on the tradition of celebrating the remarkable sporting talents within the CMCB Community.

All Award Recipients

Year Level Sports Stars of the Year

Tim Ledwidge Memorial Medallists

L-R: Travis Ledwidge, Jack McMahon, Simone Ledwidge, Neve Pinner, Ava Nihill