Pony Club Western Australia Great Southern Zone stalwart Denise Legge has won the prestigious Mike Stidwell Medal, for her longstanding commitment to sports volunteering in Western Australia's Great Southern region.
The medal, which recognises outstanding contribution to sport administration, was awarded to Denise during a Volunteer Recognition Evening at Centennial Stadium in Albany last night, as part of National Volunteer Week.
Denise has been actively involved with the Pony Club Western Australia at a national, State, regional and local level for the past 11 years.
She is the current president of the Pony Club Western Australia (Great Southern Zone), treasurer of Albany Pony Club, has held a position on the State Coaching Panel for the past 10 years, educates coaches throughout the State, and develops coaching resources.
The annual award was presented by Jill Stidwell on behalf of the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries. Denise is the 21st person awarded the medal since it was first presented in 2000.
The medal honours the memory of the department's former Regional Manager, Mike Stidwell, and his selfless and long-term contribution to sport and recreation in the region.
Fifteen outstanding sports volunteers from the Great Southern region were nominated for this year's award.
As stated by Sport and Recreation Minister Tony Buti:
"I would like to congratulate Denise on this very well-deserved win and on her long-term commitment to volunteering for the Pony Club Western Australia in the Great Southern region.
"Her dedication to the sport, and to mentoring and developing others within it, is commendable."
As stated by Albany MLA Rebecca Stephens:
"Without volunteers like Denise in the community, local sport and recreation clubs simply wouldn't be able to operate.
"Volunteers are the backbone of community sport and are a shining example of how people can make a positive difference in their community."
