Sports Awards
All Shire of Collie residents are eligible for nomination. We encourage nominations from all clubs, residents and players who wish to acknowledge and celebrate their achievements and contributions.
- JL Mumme sportsperson of the year
- Junior sportsperson of the year
- Special achievement award
- Robinson-Hannan volunteer of the year
- Wall of Champions
2024 RECIPIENTS
JL Mumme Sports Person of the Year Award – Neil Waywood
Neil “Drifty” Waywood is a seasoned and celebrated goalkeeper with a rich legacy in Australian Masters Hockey. A true veteran of the game, Neil plays for Collie Co-Op as a fill-in goalkeeper, competes in the Associates Veterans Hockey in Bunbury, and joins the Capel Hockey Club’s Pirates in the over-60s league. A dedicated sportsman, he has played across multiple age divisions, from over-45s to over-70s, and is a WA Country Hockey Life Member.
Over the past year, Neil has continued his journey with the Australian Masters Team, traveling extensively for competitions. He has just returned from representing Australia in the 2024 Masters Hockey World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa, as part of the over-70s squad. In addition, he is preparing to compete in the prestigious Trans-Tasman Games in Queensland in 2025. Neil’s impressive career includes Bronze, Silver, and multiple Gold medals earned in various Masters competitions, with a particularly memorable victory in 2018 when he helped the Southern Cross team secure the European Cup.
A valued member of the Southern Cross Masters team, Neil has travelled the globe to represent Australia, with highlights including matches in Holland, London, Belgium, Barcelona, Scotland, Malaysia, Japan, and Hong Kong. Known for his skills in the goal, Neil has been a crucial player in international tournaments such as the Masters Hockey World Cup, as well as the European and Asian Cups. His achievements and dedication to the sport are a testament to his passion for hockey and his relentless pursuit of excellence in the game.
Junior Sports Person of the Year Award – Kya Digney
Kya Digney is a dedicated and accomplished underwater hockey player whose remarkable achievements over the past year have made her a standout athlete. Competing in both junior and senior divisions at the Collie Underwater Hockey Club, Kya consistently demonstrated her skill and commitment, earning the Fairest & Best Junior Female award, Runner-Up Fairest & Best in Open Juniors, and the title of Highest Goal Scorer in the senior competition. Known for her leadership, Kya arrives early to help set up equipment, showing her dedication to supporting her team and club.
Training in Bunbury, Kya competed in events like the “Brumble Competition” and the Collie Cup, in both junior and senior divisions. At the National Championships in Queensland, Kya won two silver medals, representing both the U19 and Elite Women’s teams. She was also selected as Vice-Captain for the U19 Women’s team at the Junior Age Group World Championships, where they achieved a historic gold medal. Her leadership extended internationally when she captained the U19 Women’s team at the Tri Nations Competition in New Zealand, where she was awarded Most Valuable Player.
Kya’s year culminated in competing in the prestigious Kings Cup in Queensland, where she continued to showcase her exceptional talent. Her dedication, leadership, and success make her an inspiring figure in the underwater hockey community.
Robinson Hannan Volunteer of the Year Award – Hayley Digney
Hayley Digneyis an outstanding volunteer whose dedication to the Collie Underwater Hockey Club has made a profound impact on the sport and the local community. Since joining the club committee in 2016, including a term as President, Hayley has worked tirelessly to develop the club, significantly increasing membership and even creating a new junior category to accommodate the growing interest among young players. Her commitment has helped transform the club into a certified Good Sports Club, ensuring it provides a safe, healthy, and supportive environment for all members. In 2023, the club was honoured as the runner-up for WA’s Good Sports Club of the Year.
Hayley’s contributions include launching a Junior Collie Cup event as an extension of the successful Collie Cup for senior players, giving young athletes more opportunities to compete. She coaches, coordinates junior development, and often transports junior players to events in Bunbury, Margaret River, and Perth, making the sport accessible to those without transportation. Her efforts to secure sponsorships and grants have helped reduce the costs of National Championships, enabling more juniors to participate at the national level—a reflection of her dedication to the sport and its players.
Hayley’s years of service, countless volunteer hours, and commitment to youth development embody the true spirit of volunteerism. Her exceptional contributions make her a deserving nominee for the Robinson-Hannan Volunteer of the Year Award 2024.
Australia Day 2026
Citizen of the Year Award Joint – Fr Gerald Tan and Mrs Joan Harrison
Fr Gerald Tan
Father Gerald—affectionately known throughout Collie as “Father G”—is an outstanding example of community leadership, compassion, and service that reaches far beyond the boundaries of his parish. His contribution touches the lives of people from every part of the Collie community, regardless of background, belief, or circumstance.
In June 2022, guided by his vision to serve the wider community, Father G established the Feeding Ministry. What began as a dozen simple “winter meals” prepared by his own hands for those doing it tough has grown exponentially over the past three and a half years. Thanks to his leadership, dedication, and ability to inspire others, this initiative has united individuals, local businesses, schools, sporting clubs and volunteer groups across the entire community in a remarkable outpouring of generosity. The ministry has served thousands of meals since its humble beginnings, with the support and goodwill of the Collie community rallying behind his example. Father G remains the driving force behind this effort, continuing to prepare meals, coordinate volunteers, and foster the spirit of giving that has become its hallmark.
His commitment to community welfare does not end there. Father G played a key role in supporting the establishment of the local Soup Kitchen, expanding the safety net for Collie residents in need. He has also poured countless hours into restoring an old building beside the church hall to provide temporary accommodation for homeless individuals, particularly women and children escaping domestic violence – again demonstrating his unwavering focus on serving Collie’s most vulnerable.
Father G responds personally and compassionately to calls for help across the community, offering food, blankets, shelter, or simply a listening ear. A look through the Facebook “Collie Community Noticeboard” page, under his Facebook name: “Titus Pullo Vorenus,” shows both the depth of his engagement with the Collie community and the gratitude expressed by so many.
His leadership, compassion, and tireless commitment to serving others have truly transformed lives. Through the Feeding Ministry, the Soup Kitchen, and his ongoing work to create safe spaces and provide assistance for those in need, Father G has gone far beyond the traditional role of a parish priest. He actively reaches out to people from all walks of life, offering practical help, dignity, and hope.
What stands out most is not just what he does, but how he does it; with humility, kindness, and a genuine desire to walk alongside others, not above them. His ability to unite so many different parts of the community in his humanitarian endeavours speaks to the deep respect and trust he has earned across Collie. His generosity, leadership, warm rapport and tireless service have woven threads of unity, dignity, and hope throughout Collie, His service is not occasional; it is constant. His influence is not limited; it is felt everywhere.
For these reasons, he is an exceptional and thoroughly deserving nominee for the Collie 2026 Citizen of the Year Award. His example does not just meet the criteria for this award. It elevates it.
Mrs Joan Harrison
Joan was born in Collie but spent her childhood in South Australia and Victoria. After marriage to Brian, she spent many years living in the Northern Territory as a policeman’s wife. Joan and Brian eventually moved back to Collie to be closer to family.
Once settled, Joan soon became very involved in the community, volunteering in many community groups including the Country Women’s Association, helping with the catering to raise funds for needy groups in our town, Collie District Hospital Comforts Fund, where money is raised to make patients more comfortable during their stay in hospital.
Joan also became a Justice of the Peace, another volunteer position. As a JP, Joan is available for the JP roster and always willing to fill in for another JP if they are not able to do their duty. She is also available all hours of the day and night to sign papers or help the local police with their duties. Joan is still very active in these groups.
Joan was also a volunteer board member of ValleyView for 5 years. Brian, her husband, is in Collie Lions Service Club and Joan is always in the background prepared to support Brian in activities the Lions Club organise.
Joan joined the Collie Community Radio as a volunteer board member and was a stalwart handling the finances instrumental in gaining the new station building. As Treasurer, she spent countless hours working the budget in conjunction with the local community bank. Joan is still volunteering on the Community Radio Committee.
Joan has a natural warmth and a very endearing personality. She is always very encouraging and welcoming to anyone she encounters. She has a wonderful sense of community and a very infectious laugh. Many times she would accompany her sister Wendy on the bus whilst going to concerts in Bunbury, keeping the passengers fed and laughing at her jokes. Some people who had mobility issues would welcome Joan’s offer of a handup and it was all done with her wonderful sense of humour and never any judgement.
Nothing is too much trouble for Joan and if there is a worthy cause which needs help, Joan is first on the scene ready to do whatever is needed. Joan is a quiet achiever, always happy to be in the background and never seeks recognition for anything she does. Collie is very lucky to have such a dedicated and positive member in our community.
Sporting Scholarships
Sporting Scholarship Request Form
Assistance can be provided as a sporting scholarship of $250 for an individual or up to $500 where 3 or more residents are selected in a Western Australian State or Australian National representative team.