[singlepic id=157 w=320 h=240 float=left]State Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt has congratulated Edmonton’s Alby Weare for his outstanding contribution to the sport and recreation industry.
Mr Pitt, who nominated Alby for the award, said he was one of nine Queenslanders recognised at the 2010 Valuing Volunteers in Sport Awards ceremony on 6 December.
“Alby has a long involvement in junior cricket, tennis and rugby league,” Mr Pitt said.
“For the past 40 years, he has been involved in these three sports as a coach, administrator, player and parent.
“Hundreds of young sports people in the southern suburbs – including me – have benefited from Alby’s knowledge and sporting skills.
“He is the first to put his hand up for a working bee and the last to turn out the lights after a club function and is an extraordinarily hard worker.
“Alby is a very humble man, not somebody who seeks the limelight at all.
“He won’t want anyone to make a big deal out of his win, but that’s the measure of the man. He does it because he loves it, not for the accolades.”
“He’d say that there are plenty of other people who work hard and volunteer and don’t win awards, but I think he represents all of those people in winning this award.”
My Weare’s son Barry, well-known himself as a local junior cricket development officer and player, spoke on behalf of his father.
“The work that Dad does with sporting groups is one of the reasons why he’s still in good health,” Mr Weare said.
“He really enjoys being around the kids – I think it keeps him active and feeling young.
“It’s a part of him – he can’t go without it and that’s why he goes about it quietly and rocks up week after week.”
Sport Minister Phil Reeves said the Bligh Government Award rewards locals whose efforts ensure sport and recreation clubs can continue to develop and thrive in their communities.
“Volunteers are the lifeblood of the sport and recreation sector,” Mr Reeves said.
“All over the state, thousands of volunteers such as coaches, officials and parents devote hours of their own time to support and develop their sport.
“Alby and his fellow winners have gone above and beyond to support and develop the sports they love.
“Some have applied their knowledge and personal expertise to ensure their sports continue to grow, while others have committed countless hours to raise funds or administer their organisations.
“Under our Toward Q2: Tomorrow’s Queensland initiative, we want to increase the number of volunteers in Queensland communities by 50 per cent by 2020.
“We’re also committed to helping Queenslanders become the healthiest people in Australia.
“The Bligh Government has made the tough economic decisions to ensure we can continue to support local sport and recreation.
“Because of the strong leadership of the Bligh Government we are able to invest more in sport and recreation than any other state in the country.”
For more information visit www.communities.qld.gov.au/sportrec.qld.gov.au or www.volunteeringqueensland.org.au
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