Dragon Boats NSW (Inc) - Dragon Boats NSW Inc

Dragon Boats NSW has grown from humble beginnings to a sport with over 2700+ members. This has only been possible through the dedication and commitment of many people who have, over the years given their personal time, energy and passion to the development of the sport.

Dragon Boating NSW has recently been acknowledged for its professionalism by Sports NSW, voted NSW Organisation of the Year (2007) and NSW Event of the Year (2007). Below is an honour roll listing some of the people who have made this possible on and off the water. Find out more about the Honour Roll selection criteria.

Life Membership Award

2011 - None awarded
2010 - Chris Alexandrou
2009 - None awarded
2008 – Sylvia Wong
2007 – Robert Turnbull
2006 – Melanie Cantwell
2005 – George Louie
2004 – Gavin Godfrey
2003 – Steven Davidson
2000 – Jon Taylor

Individual of the Year Award

2011 - Wendy Irik

Wendy’s passion and drive for the sport of dragon boat racing is really shining through. Her commitment  to encouraging paddlers not only from her own club but all clubs to get fitter and stronger and improve their technique has been commendable, it is through Wendy’s commitment the Monday morning 6am sessions have been well supported by a huge cross section of clubs and divisions. Wendy has shown real leadership over the last 2 seasons as one of the State Squad Asst Coaches for the Premier Division. Wendy’s growth and maturity over the years not only as a paddler but now as coach moving through the ranks has been pleasing to watch.

2010 - Karen Kiely
2009 - Rex Wright
2008 – Simon Wong
2007 – Chris Alexandrou
2006 – James Whisker
2005 – Dave Hammond
2004 – Jenny Petterson
2003 – Melanie Cantwell

Club of the Year Award

2011 - Sydney Tsunami

Without a doubt a club which truly deserves the award. They make it a priority to encourage as many members to volunteer at Regatta’s not only all the Sydney based but all the regionals as well. They never grumble and complain when they are asked to help out or doing something, always the first to put up their hand to provide assistance to DBNSW when needed. Attend all meetings and are working hard to improve their club governance procedures. They are always friendly and have a ready smile on the face.

2010 - Different Strokes
2009 - Central Coast Sea Dragons
2008 – Port Hacking
2007 – Zen Dragons
2006 – FFB
2005 – Sydney Tsunami
2004 – DSA
2003 – VADB

President Recognition Award

2011 - Belinda Chung

DBNSW is very grateful to Belinda for the many hundreds of hours she has spent over the last 12 months re-designing and redeveloping the NEW DBNSW website – which looks great doesn’t it ? If you haven’t already jumped on line to have a look – then suggest you do. Belinda has also volunteered at many regattas during the season as well.

Margaret Cantwell Memorial Award

2011 - Pearl Butcher

Many of you will not know Pearl, she is a real quite achiever. Pearl is a definitely a “go getter” her enthusiasm for dragon boating and bringing this water sport to western NSW is amazing. Pearl never sits back and makes the most of every opportunity she can to promote and grow the sport in Western NSW. Considering 4 years ago we only had Dubbo on the map – now we have clubs based in Orange, Bathurst, Lithgow, Lake Cargelligo and Wagga. Pearl has been very giving of her time and no matter what the task is ready to lend a helping a hand. (I’m sure her husband George’s wonder what she did with her time before getting involved in dragon boating). Pearl was also recognised for her contribution by Orange City Council during the International Women’s Week.

DBNSW also thanked the following people for their hard work during the last 12 months:

• Steve Winbank – who does a sterling job announcing  for us at each regatta. We appreciate the time Steve gives to Dragon Boats NSW. We look forward to hearing his voice over the 4 days in Canberra.

• JB – who does a magnificent in keeping job in keeping us to time and ahead of schedule if possible, we are very lucky to be able to have JB help us out, the consistency and his experience he offers us on the starts is very much appreciated.

• Pearl Butcher (Western Region, Karen Kiely (Northern) and Ernie Panucci (Southern Region) – Who have a big job in looking after all our regional clubs which are just growing from strength to strength in not only numbers, but competitive and what they are contributing to the sport.

• Rob Turnbull, Geoff Roberts, Peter Richardson and Sue Maloney – who do their best to keep our sweeps on the “straight and narrow” – they all do a great job in looking after all the sweeps and keeping on top of the mountain of paperwork after the accreditation testings, regatta days and mentoring and coaching along the way.

• The DBNSW Board – Daniel Kong, Martin Hastings, Fiona Gray, Nigel Bedford, Mal Wills, Sylvia Wong and Maureen O’Neill. These guys give up a lot of time for the sport to keep it growing and refining all our processes.

• Diana Dent – for coaching and looking after Marist, Peter Arnold and Sandy Point for coaching and looking after Danebank, Pek Wood and Heather Mueller from East’s for looking after Abbotsleigh, Pearl Butcher for coaching and looking after Kelso High, Alan Davis from Snow Dragons for looking after SMGS, and to Leanne and Martin Thompson who have done a great job with all the North Coast juniors. Thanks to these people DBNSW is really starting to see some traction with the Juniors and hope to have even more schools on board over the next 12 months.