Robyn Sutton named RAC Volunteer of the Year
Peel District finalist voted overall award winner
PEEL District volunteer Robyn Sutton was named overall winner of the 2009 RAC Volunteer of the Year Award from almost 300 nominees during a gala presentation at last night's WAFL Sandover Medal count (Monday, September 14).
After 20 years of dedicated service to Waroona Junior Football Club, Mrs Sutton was named Peel District finalist to represent the district as one of 17 award finalists. As overall winner of the RAC Volunteer of the Year Award, Mrs Sutton received a trip for two to the AFL grand final including flights, accommodation and a grand final breakfast function.
Mrs Sutton was thrilled to recieve the award from West Coast Eagles coach John Worsfold and Fremantle coach Mark Harvey along with RAC Executive General Manager Motoring Mike Heath, who all congratulated her on years of outstanding service to junior football.
Mrs Sutton, whose sons finished playing five years ago, said she didn't volunteer her time for the recognition but simply loved being part of the community and playing a role at the football club. She and her husband are now anxiously awaiting their trip to Melbourne, with neither having flown in a plane before.
Mrs Sutton was nominated by fellow club member Kerry Shore, who described her as the backbone of their small community.
"She commenced her volunteer work with our junior football club in 1989 as club secretary as her oldest son had started playing and she wanted to be involved. During this time Robyn helped wash team jumpers each week, gave other boys lifts to games and helped out in the canteen.
"In 1996 when we were struggling to fill the canteen manager position, Robyn stepped in and said she would take it on, as well as being secretary, and continued holding both positions until 2003 when she decided that she would step aside as secretary.
"Robyn is still our Canteen Manager. This is no small job, as we operate on Saturdays for home games and then on Sundays when our seniors play. Robyn is present the whole time the canteen is open. A general Saturday home game would see Robyn start at 7.30am to see the arrival of fresh bread and start everything up, work and oversea the canteen, clean and lock up possible finishing about 3pm.
"We have a reputation for the best hamburgers and home made soup in our football district, and this is all down to the pride Robyn has in the running of the canteen. She is a very special and amazing lady to be still invoved and doing so much for our junior club when she no longer has any children playing."
Now in its fourth year the award has grown to receive almost 300 nominations. Anyone involved in football at any level was eligible to be nominated for the award through their local district or by the WA Football Commission.
RAC Executive General Manager Motoring Mike Heath said the volunteer work Mrs Sutton and all the other nominees did for their local clubs was inspiring.
"Volunteers are the lifeblood of any community and football clubs are no exception. Without volunteers football clubs would find it very hard to survive; it's often the volunteers who do the jobs that no one else wants to," Mr Heath said.
"Mrs Sutton is truly a worthy winner of the RAC Volunteer of the Year Award. She has shown dedication and commitment to the Waroona Junior Football Club for 20 years and has given up hundreds of hours of her own time to do so.
"The RAC is proud to support Western Australia's football volunteers through the RAC Volunteer of the Year Award. This is just one way we are helping to build stronger communities."
WA Football Commission Volunteer and Clubs Co-ordinator Glenn Morley said WA had more than 46,000 volunteers participating every week in the game at all levels and without them the game would be lost.
"There are so many aspects of our game that just wouldn't be possible without the dedication and commitment of our volunteers," Mr Morley said.
"Volunteers are involved at all levels whether it's in the canteen, umpiring, peeling oranges, coaching or driving their kids to the game. The RAC Volunteer of the Year program aims to elevate the standing of volunteers to that of a star. Just like you have star players and star coaches we want to recognise star volunteers."
Volunteer of the Year Award Finalists
DISTRICT FINALIST
Claremont Merle Manea - (08) 9341 2514
East Fremantle Max Freeman - 0439 474 528
East Perth Lily Windus - 0414 301 017
Goldfields Cobber Rogers - 0408 900 185
Great Southern Brenndon Deering - (08) 9828 2148
Kimberley Dani Woodhouse - (08) 9167 8978
Mid West Karl Suckling - 0427 839 274
Midlands Grag Richards - (08) 9646 6208
Peel Robyn Sutton - (08) 9733 1547
Perth Rick Johnson - (08) 9256 4203
Pilbara Pete Withers - 0408 677 024
South Fremantle Darrin Bryden - 0410 337 195
South West Tim Harrington - 0427 771 145
Subiaco Michael Hoskins - 0411 758 345
Swan Districts Brian Pallister - 0414 861 983
West Perth Mark Brown - 0415 944 886
Wheatbelt Brian Barnett - (08) 9044 5040
